Capitol Notebook: Iowa senators remember fallen colleague

DES MOINES — Recollections of a fallen colleague started the day in the Iowa Senate on Wednesday.

Josh Bronsink, who worked on Senate Republicans’ staff, died March 11 of COVID-19, according to his obituary. Brosnick, who is survived by his wife and two children, died less than a week after his 48th birthday.

Senators on Wednesday morning honored Bronsink with a Senate resolution, which was read by Republican Sens. Jeff Edler of State Center and Mark Costello of Imogene.

Then two Democrats, Sens. Amanda Ragan of Mason City and Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, spoke in remembrance of Bronsink.

Bolkcom said Bronsink will be remembered for his knowledge and work for the state, and for his sense of humor.

“Josh was one of the smartest, kindest, most caring people in this building,” Bolkcom said. “This made him the perfect person to manage all things related to human resources. He became an expert on all things about taking care of Iowans in need. We could count on Josh for good advice. …

“Josh,” Bolkcom added, “we miss you. We love you. Rest in peace.”

ANTI-SEMITISM DEFINITION: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law one bill that defines anti-Semitism in state law, and another that prohibits the state’s pension fund from owning stock in a company that boycotts Israel.

House File 2220 places in state law the definition of anti-Semitism as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. That bill was unanimously approved by the Senate, 48-0, and passed the House, 66-31.

House File 2373 is designed to target the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, which last July announced its ice cream would no longer be sold in disputed territories in Israel. That bill passed the Senate, 40-5, and the House, 61-35.

“Today we express Iowa’s enduring support for the state of Israel and our categorical rejection of anti-Semitism,” Reynolds said in a news release. “Together, these bills send an important message: Iowa continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with the state of Israel, one of America’s most important and reliable allies, while fighting all forms of religious and ethnic discrimination.”

Reynolds also signed the following bills: SF 2119, an act relating to cosmetology and the practice of threading; SF2266, an act relating to the compensation limits for school corporation board members; HF2466, an act concerning signature requirements for county supervisor candidate nominations; and SF2325, an act relating to workforce housing tax incentive program.

Gazette Des Moines Bureau