Voucher Funded Private Schools Cost Iowa Taxpayers $1 Billion

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Statehouse newsletter from representative, Elinor Levin, HD89 Iowa City.

I would like to begin by extending compassion to all those affected by the tragic shooting in our community on Sunday morning. Acts of violence like what occurred at the Ped Mall were once so uncommon as to be unimaginable but have now become all-too-expected in our society, and cause each of us to pause and grapple with the long-term effects. I’m thinking of the victims trying to recover mentally and physically; the families with a loved one who was involved; the students at UIowa forced to take shelter for safety; the residents of Iowa City attempting to make sense of senseless violence; and everyone, including the perpetrators, whose lives have been forever changed by what will one day be a piece of history. Gun violence leaves no one untouched, so I continue to work for common sense gun legislation.

Tuesday was the 100th day of session, which is the day we were supposed to adjourn for the year, but infighting between Republicans has us looking at a full week, potentially many more weeks, of work. We have yet to pass budgets or make any meaningful change to property taxes, stated top priorities for the majority party this session. Affordability is top of mind for voters in this election as grocery prices, gas prices, and housing prices rise. In the remaining days of this legislative session, I will work on building a state where everyone has access to a quality of life that supports them and their family’s future.

We debated several bills this week as we wrap up consideration of legislation. I am frustrated to see the Right to Repair bill show up on the debate calendar again and again, just to be pulled from consideration. On the other hand, there are plenty of bills that I’ll be glad to see never come to the floor, including the Veterans Service bill that I wrote about several weeks ago. One passed on Monday that really feels wrong to me. Currently, foster placement decisions are always made in the best interests of the child, and the beliefs and practices of the family are as closely matched to the child as possible. This bill will take the priority away from the child’s needs.

Iowa Cancer Consortium Sunscreen program

In an effort to promote sun-safety and reduce the risk of skin cancer, the Iowa Cancer Consortium, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and the University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center will distribute 90 gallons of SPF30 sunscreen across Iowa this summer! Along with sunscreen, awarded projects will educate the community about the risks of UV exposure and ways they can prevent skin cancer.

Applications are due by 11:59pm CDT on Friday, April 24, 2026.
Reach out to Kelly Rollins at rollins@canceriowa.org with any questions.
Learn more at https://canceriowa.org/sunscreen.

Legislative Session Set to Go into Overtime

Budget Mess Leaves Iowa Families Behind

As the legislative session passes the scheduled adjournment, Republican lawmakers have yet to figure out the state’s budget or pass real relief for Iowans.

Massive tax giveaways to corporations and the wealthiest Iowans, combined with unchecked spending on private school vouchers, are pushing Iowa into a fiscal death spiral. The Republican-led budget is projected to produce another $1 billion deficit in Fiscal Year 2027. This comes on top of a roughly $1.4 billion shortfall this year, marking a stretch in which spending has consistently outpaced revenue.

At a moment when Iowa needs serious solutions, House Democrats introduced legislation to deliver immediate property tax relief, lower costs, raise wages, help family farms, and ensure clean, healthy water for Iowa.

But instead of working toward results, Republican lawmakers have refused to consider any of these bills. We are at the 100-day deadline, and there’s still no serious plan from them to lower costs, ease the burden on families, or tackle the challenges facing our state. Iowans deserve action, not delays, not excuses, and especially not more of the same.

Vouchers to Cost Iowa Taxpayers $1 Billion

Under the Republican lawmaker-approved voucher program, Iowa taxpayers can expect to pay more than $1 billion to private school vouchers over the next four years.

Budget projections show that private school vouchers are among the fastest-growing parts of the state budget. The increase is so dramatic because the richest families in Iowa are now eligible for almost $8,000 annually to send their children to private school, once income limits were removed. As a result, in the current school year, 99% of private school students now have their tuition subsidized by the state through the voucher program.

Public schools are required by law to accept every student, regardless of ability or status. Private schools are allowed to discriminate and pick and choose students based on their race, religion, and ability. During debate on a bill that would increase funding for charter schools, House Democrats pushed a straightforward fix: if voucher-funded private schools take public dollars, they should accept all students. Even Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra agrees, and Iowa House Republicans still voted no.

The private school voucher program represents another instance of Iowans’ hard-earned tax dollars going to those at the top. Republican lawmakers have underfunded public schools while directing more taxpayer dollars to private schools, leaving public education to do more with less.

Capitol and Community Updates

DECREASED HEALTH CARE ACCESS IN IOWA: Instead of addressing the problem of health care access as more clinics and hospitals close, House Republican lawmakers made it harder for teens to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which could add to Iowa’s already high cancer rates. The majority party members are also pushing to restrict access to reproductive health care and telehealth options.

SUPPORT FOR IOWA FAMILY FARMS & LOCAL FOOD PROGRAMS: More investments in our family farms, including local food programs, beginning farmers, and solutions to the large-animal vet shortages, passed the Iowa House.

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION TAKE-BACK DAY: From 10 am to 2 pm on April 25, you can drop off your unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medications to be disposed of safely. If you miss Saturday’s event, visit the Dept of Public Safety’s website to find locations across Iowa that participate year-round.

HELP FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES: Two bills supporting emergency services moved forward this week in the House Ways & Means Committee. One bill makes sure property taxes approved by voters for EMS actually go to those services. The other expands a $250 income tax credit to include volunteer ambulance drivers.

GOVERNOR SIGNS SEVERAL BILLS INTO LAW: As the session moves forward, the Governor has signed several bills into law. See what changes could impact you.

Newsletter from state rep. Elinor Levin

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Spinachgate

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Trish Nelson

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Meet Sarah Trone Garriott Democrat For Congress In IA-03

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Sarahforiowa.com – campaign website – donate here

Follow Sarah on social media:

Facebook   Twitter   Instagram   YouTube   TikTok   BlueSky

Follow Hopium Chronicles

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Scenes From An Iowa Democratic Campaign Event

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Trish Nelson

West Liberty Free Public Library

Sunday we were in West Liberty for a candidate forum with Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate Zach Wahls and Josh Turek; IA-01 U.S. House of Representatives candidates Christina Bohannan and Travis Terrell and state and local candidates. It was a packed house at the Carnegie West Liberty Free Public Library.  As you know the Trump administration is trying to drown public libraries in the proverbial bathtub. No wonder, since local libraries are a community’s hub where neighbors of all political stripes gather together for the common good.

The West Liberty library is beautiful.  We are regular RAGBRAI riders and we try to visit  libraries in the towns across Iowa  when we stop for a break. The local libraries are always bustling and welcoming to cyclists, offering information, cold water, air conditioning, a place to hang out, recharge your phone and last but not least, indoor plumbing. Libraries are also one of the pillars of democracy. So a shout out to libraries everywhere and the West Liberty library for hosting Sunday’s event.

It was a great day, loads of positive vibe, fired up democrats, good speeches, stories and authentic moments. Josh Turek joined the group at our table after the candidates were done with their remarks. There were introductions and hand shaking.  My husband, a retired community college dean who oversaw disability accommodations during his tenure was chatting with a former co-worker who shared with Turek about working with disabilities in the community college setting.

Josh Turek visiting with attendees.

The candidate running for statehouse in HD 82, (seat currently held by Bobby Kaufmann),  James Behrman, spoke of hard times for his family. He had lost a grandfather to cancer and he himself has had cancer twice. He abandoned his prepared remarks and said, “I am not a politician. I’m a person that cares.”  He said he is running for office because he could not comprehend why no one was doing anything about Iowa’s cancer epidemic. He approached Turek to shake his hand. Josh gave him heartfelt words of encouragement and told him to let him know if he needed any help.

James Behrman, candidate for HD 82

Zach Wahls‘ two moms were in the audience and Zach acknowledged them in his remarks. He spoke of family being about love. He gave a fiery speech and spoke of corruption and how the status quo isn’t working anymore. Making a case for term limits, Zach joked that as a new dad he now understands that “politicians are like diapers and should be changed frequently,” drawing laughter from the crowd.

Zach Wahls for US Senate

Josh Turek kept his remarks brief saying he preferred to spend the time listening to attendees’ concerns. He gave a scaled down, speedy version of his regular stump speech. He is the son of a Vietnam vet who was exposed to Agent Orange, causing Josh to be born with spina bifida. He spoke of the struggles – 21 surgeries by the age of 12 –  and triumphs, representing the U.S. in basketball at four Paralympics and earning 2 gold medals.

Josh Turek for US Senate

Christina Bohannan also gave fired up remarks. She impressed upon the room that taking back the House of Representatives starts in Iowa. She shared that her campaign was going to be holding volunteer canvassing trainings. She indicated that everyone was welcome at these trainings, even if they were supporting other candidates including her own primary opponent, Travis Terrel. Kudos to Bohannan for her leadership and recognizing we are all in this together.

Christina Bohannan for congress IA-01

Travis Terrel‘s speech focused on health care and lack of health care. He shared his mother’s story of needing a medication that will cost $1,000 per month. He said his mother is a low wage worker who could not afford to pay for the needed medication. He also spoke of work and said Democrats are the party of working people. He shared his belief that when our party stands up for workers they will come home to Democrats.

Travis Terrell for US Senate IA-01

The rest of the speakers shared common themes of taking back our country and fighting for public policies that will improve the lives and opportunities for regular people – health care, jobs, public schools, civil rights, access to clean water.

Nick Salazar and Michelle Servadio Elias are both running to represent HD 96, Muscatine county.

Nick Salazar for HD 96

Michelle Servadio Elias for HD 96

Tom Wieck is running for the Iowa Senate in District 41 to help make Iowa a better place for his children and grandchildren. He described a lifetime of hard work and community engagement. He is committed to prioritizing education, cost of living, water quality, and property rights.

Tom Wieck for Iowa Senate District 41

Everyone was on good behavior. There was no visible sign of inter-campaign snark between candidates or supporters.

I was proud to be a Democrat. Let’s go!

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Are Culture War Bills Prioritized By Iowa Republicans?

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Trish Nelson

A panel of experts provides updates on Iowa statehouse happenings followed by Q & A.

Melissa Peterson, ISEA
Damian Thompson of Iowa Safe Schools
Luke Elzinga (he/him) DMARC – Des Moines Area Religious Council
Keenan Crow, One Iowa
Kyrstin Delagardelle, Planned Parenthoood Advocates of Iowa

Follow the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa YouTube channel.

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Shadow Workforce Revisited

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Paul Deaton
Photo by Mad Knoxx Deluxe on Pexels.com

The rise of a shadow workforce—workers who perform essential labor without full rights or protections—is not a side issue in the American economy. It is rapidly becoming the model that reshapes work for everyone.

During an April 2020 interview with Kimberly Graham about her U.S Senate race, she laid a framework,

We are some of the hardest working people on the planet. Americans are very productive. We work hard but we are not seeing the rewards of that. We are falling further and further behind financially. More of us are hurting financially. We may have jobs, but yeah, we have two jobs because we can’t make it on one. There’s all the gig economy. We have fewer and fewer unions, fewer and fewer union jobs that come with benefits and come with a pension and all of that. (Blog for Iowa, Kimberly Graham – A Voice For ‘Us,‘ April 2, 2020).

Not much has changed for the better since Graham said this. Increasingly, a shadow workforce performs work, yet are not counted as employees on payrolls. This includes legally present independent contractors, freelancers, gig workers, temporary agency workers, and part-timers. It also includes undocumented workers who are not legally in the country. The work they do is real, yet legal protections are partial, inconsistent, or absent. There are risks in this.

In a discussion with local writer Joel Wells, he said in an email, “We are actively allowing the creation of a permanent underclass of workers with fewer rights, fewer protections, and no real voice. That is not speculation; it is already happening.”

Businesses are designed primarily to generate profit not jobs. That is why public policy must set the rules that protect workers.

Democrats must take the mantle in establishing and maintaining worker protections through policy. What is needed is a clear, understandable framework that voters can grasp and defend. Things like health insurance, retirement contributions, child care, and paid leave are a beginning. There should also be strong penalties for wage theft, labor standards enforcement regardless of immigration status, and whistleblower protections for vulnerable workers. Democrats should bring these issues to the forefront of policy discussions. Since FDR, Democrats have stood firmly with labor. That relationship needs revisiting.

If neglected, the shadow workforce can be normalized, lowering standards for everyone. It has begun to spread… to everyone.

When work is pushed into the shadows, rights disappear first—wages and standards follow. Bringing that work back into the light is not just about fairness for some workers. It is about protecting the future of work for all.

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Defending Libraries And Museums Matters

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Paul Deaton
Boone, Iowa Public Library.

When politicians come after public libraries it gets my dander up. Libraries have become part of who I am and without them we would all be something less. The administration, which doesn’t give a fig about me and what I think, is at it again.

The president’s proposed budget seeks to eliminate funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It may sound familiar: in 2025, the administration, working with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), attempted to drastically shrink or effectively dismantle the agency—placing staff on leave, freezing or cutting grants, and issuing an executive order to reduce it to a “minimum presence.” In response, people across the country and across the political spectrum took the fight to court, where federal judges blocked most of those efforts. The outcome underscores a simple truth: public libraries and museums continue to matter deeply to both rural and urban communities.

Mine is a simple question: Why can’t the fact that we love our public libraries and museums be enough to ensure their persistence?

What does IMLS do? It is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. IMLS provides grants to libraries that need to replace technology and infrastructure. Among other things, they are directly involved with funding Inter-library Loans, Books for the Blind, preserving veterans’ stories, funding resources for those associated with people who are autistic, providing disaster preparedness for libraries and museums, sustaining Native American libraries, and more. Could we live without these services? Maybe, but not as well.

I read the Republican arguments about ending federal funding for libraries and museums, saying they should be managed by the states. If IMLS goes away, as the administration’s budget proposes, it would affect a number of local museums that rely on project-based grants to fund operations. These museums include the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, the African American Museum of Iowa, and the Iowa Children’s Museum. All of these are sources of pride in the community.

Yes, our federal elected officials may tire of us calling so frequently. However, our public resistance is how we tell them we care about our libraries and museums even if politicians don’t.

The U.S. Capitol switchboard phone number is (202) 224-3121. You can call this number to be connected directly to any Senator’s or Representative’s office by providing your zip code or the name of your representative. Let them know how you feel about shuttering IMLS.

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Rob Sand At Iowa State Education Association

Posted on April 17, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Watch Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand address the ISEA.  Check out his campaign website to volunteer or donate.

Follow Bleeding Heartland’s YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@bleedingheartland9

“State Auditor Rob Sand, the Democratic candidate for governor, delivered these remarks to the annual meeting of the Iowa State Education Association in West Des Moines on April 11, 2026.  The ISEA (the largest labor union in Iowa) announced at the meeting that they are endorsing Sand in the governor’s race.”

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Iowa May Day Strong Events #NoKings #NoBillionaires

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Iowa May Day Strong Events:  Click on the image to find events in Iowa

From our inbox: Here is an important word from May Day Strong about the next national day of action. There are already ten events scheduled in Iowa.  Click here to find out if your town has one scheduled or to host one.

In Chicago, Labor and community leaders called for an economic blackout on May 1. Communities across the country are ramping up for a Workers Over Billionaires national day of action—rallies, walkouts, teach-ins, and more—to demand an economy that works for all of us.

This May 1, 2026 we can stand together.

Can you turn up the energy with us by committing to host an action in your community? Hosting can look different depending on what makes sense for you and your network:

  • Organize a rally, march, or gathering
  • Lead a teach-in or community conversation
  • Coordinate a workplace or school-based action
  • Organize a neighborhood food or clothing drive
  • Fundraise for a local legal aid fund or mutual aid fund
  • Bring people together in any way that builds visibility and collective power

You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll provide: A host toolkit with planning guidance and materials (keep this shortlink handy: workers.fyi/mds-host); Graphics, messaging, and outreach templates; Support to help you plug into the broader May Day network & recruit more like-minded community members to your events!

This May Day is an important escalation in our collective fight against billionaires and corporations and for all our futures. We need as many actions as possible to deliver a powerful message to the billionaire class. Sign up to host an action here → [event link]

Calls to have on your radar as you prepare for May 1:

  • 💥📅 For our action hosts, event hosts, & partners leading actions on May 1st: a May Day host call on April 16th focused on messaging, materials, and public rollout.

Join Us Thursday, April 16th at 8pm ET / 5pm ET

  • 💪🔥For labor organizations & unions: We are convening all unions members and labor leaders to get into formation in time for May Day 2026 on Tuesday, April 21st at 8pm ET / 5pm ET.

Join Us Tuesday, April 21st at 8pm ET / 5pm ET

There’s a role for all of us in this moment. Hosting is one way to show our collective power.

In Hope & Solidarity,

May Day Strong

P.S. Text HOST to 58910 to stay up to date with resources & updates in the final days leading up to May 1st, 2026! 📲

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For Chuck Grassley That Was Then This Is Now

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Trish Nelson

Ed Flaherty of Veterans For Peace addressing about 75 people gathered to protest the military action in Venezuela over the weekend.

This letter to the editor by our friend Ed Flaherty, a veteran and tireless peace activist, was originally published in Little Village April 13, 2026.

By Ed Flaherty, Iowa City

The Iran war is not going well for the U.S. And please call it war, not a conflict, not a military operation. This war began on Feb. 28, with no congressional approval and with no notification to the U.S. public. I believe Iowa’s senator Charles Grassley is uniquely situated to stop this U.S. war on Iran.

Senator Grassley is the oldest and longest-serving member of the U.S. Senate. He has the well-earned respect of his fellow Republican senators. His voice could be instrumental right now in putting an end to this ill-conceived, illegal, ill-fated war. He must vote FOR a proposed resolution that prohibits further U.S. military action in Iran. He must vote AGAINST any proposal authorizing additional spending for the war. He must REMIND the president and his fellow senators that any military action on Iran after April 25, unless specifically authorized by Congress, would be a violation of the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

Grassley, on Jan. 12, 1991, was the only Republican senator to vote against the first Gulf War. In 2018 he reflected on that vote. He said,

Make no mistake. It’s not easy to vote against the vast majority of your party and your president. Based on my feedback from Iowans and after many hours of deliberation, my gut told me to vote “no” against military action. I felt the people were not fully behind it. And I didn’t want to risk dividing the country like Vietnam.

Ironically, a Gallup poll a week before that vote indicated 57 percent of respondents agreed it was time to go to war, and 37 percent wanted more time for sanctions to work. In contrast, polling from early March to April 6 this year on the Iran war has consistently shown that 54 percent of Americans disapprove of the war, with 39 percent in favor. Other polls show similar results.

So, if Senator Grassley had the courage to vote against a war in 1991 that had a majority of public support, how much more should he feel it his duty to voice opposition to a war that the people do not want? Wars are easy to start. Witness the surprise and unauthorized beginning of the current Iran war. Wars are difficult to end, and the longer they go on, that much harder to end. Senator Grassley has the unique opportunity and obligation to use his voice and his vote to stop this war now.

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