Lawmakers serve interests, not Iowans

It is the time of year when we praise the almighty that the Iowa legislative session has ended.

Now, I am fully aware most citizens of Iowa pay little to no attention to what happens under the golden dome in Des Moines. In November less than 55% of registered Iowa voters even cast ballots for those who represent them.

Low voter turnout has helped put some questionable folks in legislative seats. It also allows those same individuals to support some crazy bills that outside organizations come up with and hand-deliver to Des Moines to assure they remain at the top of the pecking order.

It will be the younger generation’s battle to get back to some basic form of a democracy here to represent the will of the people of Iowa instead of special interests.

Wonder why unemployment benefits paid to workers who have lost their job at no fault of their own are harder to obtain and keep between jobs? Special Interest groups achieved that anti-worker legislation so businesses can now pay less in unemployment insurance tax.

Confused about why your tax dollars now go to unregulated private schools? Thank the governor and Republicans who supported this legislation along with special interest groups. These same groups passed a bill that determines what history lessons are now taught in Iowa.

Perplexed why education has been underfunded for many years in the state? Many believe that is by design to push education toward private for-profit schools.

Wondering why one of the most dangerous rollbacks of child labor protections in decades was signed by the governor in 2023? Thank special interests groups.

Why do local city and county governments have very little say in what happens at the local level now, including minimum wage, and what contractors are awarded construction bids? Thank the governor and a majority of her party members along with special interest groups once again.

Curious why prison guards and staff are not considered public safety and all public sector employees including teachers have had bargaining rights gutted? Thank our previous governor who held a vendetta against unions.

Pondering why the current governor wanted to eliminate the powers of the statewide elected auditor? He happens to be on the opposite side of the partisan aisle and actually wants to hold officials accountable for how they spend our money.

Asking why workers' compensation for Iowans injured on the job was stripped down. Special Interest groups wanted it that way. Profits over people should be the current governor’s battle cry.

Many bills have been written by Iowa and out-of-state special interest groups that have already achieved these things or are working on achieving these things in all states. If you want to know what will be coming down the road in Iowa before a new session starts simply pay attention to the play book in other states.

We are in a race to the bottom. We are deteriorating into a state that holds no value for working people and cares only about the special interest groups who pave candidates’ way to an elected seat through campaign donations.

Rick Moyle is executive director of the Hawkeye Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO.