Jobs & Economy

Iowa’s unemployment rate remains well below the national average and Democrats want to keep it that way by maintaining resources that help businesses find employees and help individuals find the right job for them.

Rather than only protecting the large businesses and corporations as the Republicans were trying to do, Democrats want to give Iowa’s small businesses a break through a tax credit that would lower taxes for most small business property to the residential rate.  This would help grow Iowa’s local economic structure and actually keep profits in Iowa instead of sending them out of state which is seen with big business.

Recent blog posts about jobs and the economy:

Education

Years of research show that there are long-term benefits to attending preschool, including academic and financial success. According to a 2005 MIT study:

• High-quality early childhood education helps prepare young children to succeed in school and become better citizens; they earn more, pay more taxes, and commit fewer crimes.
• Every dollar invested in quality early care and education saves taxpayers up to $13.00 in future costs.
• The early care and education industry is economically important—often much larger in terms of employees and revenues than other industries that receive considerable government attention and investment.
• Failing to invest sufficiently in quality early care and education shortchanges taxpayers because the return on investment is greater than many other economic development options.
• Access to available and affordable choices of early childhood learning programs helps working parents fulfill their responsibilities.
• Quality early education is as essential for a productive 21st century workforce as roads or the internet; investing in it grows the economy.

Recent blog posts about education:

Health care

On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama, with the help of Iowa’s Democratic Congressmen, signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – one of the most significant laws to be passed in decades. The GOP immediately cried “Armageddon!” (no, really) and has vowed to repeal it. If the Affordable Care Act were to be repealed, Iowans could expect to see:

• 57,216 small businesses get a tax increase.
• 713,155 children excluded from coverage based on a pre-existing condition.
• 43,100 senior citizens suffer an increase in prescription drug costs as the Medicare “donut hole” is opened back up.
• 247,000 young adults be dropped from their parent’s health care coverage.
• 788,000 families getting their taxes increased.

Recent blog posts about health care:

Elections & Voting

Under the tenure of Democrats, Iowa’s elections became the gold standard for the nation. The Overseas Vote Foundation rated Iowa number one in a national report on the ease of military and overseas voting.

The Iowa Democratic Party opposes any law forcing voters to show a photo ID at the polls. The current laws are strong enough to prevent voter fraud.

We support same-day voter registration. There are a plethora of reasons why a voter’s information may be out of date, and the ability to update that information, or for new voters to register right there at the polls is more than convenient. There are safeguards in place to avoid fraud.

Recent blog posts about elections and voting

Environment & Energy

Due to the work of the Office of Energy Independence and the Iowa Power Fund, Iowa is now a net-exporter of energy. Between biofuels, ethanol and wind energy, 20% of Iowa’s energy now comes from renewable sources.

Recent blog posts about energy and the environment

Marriage Equality

Iowa Democrats stand with Iowa’s LGBT community and unequivocally supports marriage equality. The Varnum v Brien decision by Iowa’s Supreme Court crossed ideological lines and stated clearly that denying Iowa’s LGBT citizens the right to marry whomever they wish violated Iowa’s Constitution. Any amendment to Iowa’s Constitution that would discriminate against our LGBT friends should be opposed.

During this legislative season, Democrats protected the rights of the LGBT community by blocking bills pushed by Governor Branstad and the Republicans such as their discrimination bill which would’ve allowed business owners to refuse any services to people whose marriage they didn’t agree with.  This would have allowed direct discrimination against same-sex couples if Democrats had not immediately blocked the proposal.

Recent blog posts about marriage equality

Women’s Rights

The Iowa Democratic Party supports a woman’s right to personal reproductive decisions as well as the legalization and licensing of certified professional midwives. We oppose any legislation that would defund or hamper the activities of women’s health organizations like Planned Parenthood.

Recent posts about women’s rights