Committee leaders named for 2015 Iowa Senate

DES MOINES — Iowans will see some new faces leading committees in the Iowa Senate when the Legislature convenes in January based on the majority-party assignments announced Thursday by Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal.

Gronstal named new chairmen to eight standing committees while the top leadership in nine other panels will remain unchanged when the Legislature convenes Jan. 12. Meanwhile, leadership changed on three budget subcommittees for Democrats, who bring a 26-24 majority to the new Legislature.

'While Iowa's economy is growing, Senate Democrats believe that more must be done to expand our economy and create a lasting economic recovery that will benefit all Iowans,' Gronstal said in a statement accompanying his 2015 session committee assignments.

'Iowa's middle-class Iowa families and Main Street businesses will be effectively represented by the Democratic senators who will chair bipartisan committees and protect the interests of working families and Main Street businesses,' he added. 'We look forward to meaningful discussions with Gov. (Terry) Branstad and Iowa House leaders to continue identifying solutions to help make Iowa a better place to live, work and raise a family.'

Republicans will bring a 57-43 edge into the Iowa House next year while Branstad is slated to be sworn in for an unprecedented sixth four-year term Jan. 16.

Gronstal kept Sens. Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, as leader of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, at the helm of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Other returning committee leaders are Sens. Joe Seng, D-Davenport, agriculture; Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, education; Wally Horn, D-Cedar Rapids, ethics; Dick Dearden, D-Des Moines, natural resources; Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, rules/administration; Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls, state government; and Tod Bowman, D-Maquoketa, transportation.

New committee chairmen include Sens. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, commerce; Rita Hart, D-Wheatland, economic development; Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, government oversight; Steve Sodders, D-State Center, judiciary; Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, labor/business relations; Rich Taylor, D-Mount Pleasant, local government, and Horn, veterans affairs.

Keeping their appropriations subcommittee chairmanships are Sens. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, economic growth; Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington, education; Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, justice systems; and Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, transportation, infrastructure and capital. New budget subcommittee leaders include Sens. Chris Brase, D-Muscatine, administration/regulation; Mary Jo Wilhelm, D-Cresco, agriculture/natural resources; and Amanda Ragan, D-Mason City, health/human services.

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