Gov. Reynolds should prove the critics wrong

With Gov. Kim Reynolds releasing her statement following the closure of the current legislative session, I am compelled to write a follow up to my previous letter ('Reader hopes Reynolds will prove her wrong,” Nov. 28, 2018).

Despite Reynolds' campaign promises that the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) will remain secure, we watched, yet again, as Republican legislators targeted Iowa state employees as they passed Senate File 634, a bill presented as a local government budget/property tax relief bill that has the potential to negatively impact IPERS by putting pension funds in competition with other budget priorities. This is supported by Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald's April 26 statement regarding the bill.

Despite widespread opposition to the bill by legislative Democrats and state employees, Republicans passed the bill denying it would affect IPERS and refused to include amendments to remove the language pertaining to IPERS.

As state employees continue to fear for their retirement future, signing SF 634 into law would potentially be devastating to Iowa workers and their families.

Governor, if you truly aim to deliver on your campaign promises to the dedicated, hard-working state employees of Iowa then it is imperative that you veto SF 634. To do otherwise will only confirm the fears that you had no intention of keeping your promise that our retirement futures will remain secure. Again, I encourage you to prove me wrong! Veto Senate File 634.

Julie Schropp

Swisher