Iowa needs a new slogan and leadership

I have a slogan suggestion for Iowa’s Republican-controlled Legislature and governor, “If it isn’t broken, we’ll break it.”

Over the last two years bill after bill written by Republicans, who have forgotten to include Democratic members in the legislative process, pass and then are joyfully signed into law by the governor, even in the dead of night. Measures widely supported by Iowans are often ignored. Putting in the hard work needed to craft legislation to fix actual problems does not happen. Public education is underfunded while teachers continue to be attacked. Republican legislators and governor want to pour millions of tax payer dollars into private education. Iowa’s transgender girls can no longer participate in any girls’ school sports program.

As for the Republican Bottle Bill fix, it appears only retailers may reap most of the benefits. While proud touting a $1.24 billion surplus, repairing and maintaining state park ranger housing isn’t a priority. Let’s hope the Iowa Natural Resource and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund can finally be funded. Although voters overwhelmingly supported it in 2010, this trust which might actually help improve Iowa’s water quality still is not funded. Finally, do not forget legislation which added more rules, restrictions and hurdles to voting in this state. I wonder, is time for a change in state leadership?

Diane Duncan-Goldsmith

Iowa City