Gov. Reynolds wants to starve Iowa’s safety net

In her “Condition of the State” address, Gov. Kim Reynolds used her platform to kick struggling Iowans while they are down. Reynolds lamented that Iowa’s “safety net has become a hammock.” The implication, of course, is that Iowans experiencing hunger, poverty, illness, or housing insecurity need to stop leeching off taxpayer dollars and get back to work.

Reynolds loves to champion “public-private partnerships” as a way to solve problems. Yet when it comes to helping Iowans access life’s basic necessities, she prefers to pass the buck to the private sector. In this legislative session, the governor and Iowa GOP are proposing harmful legislation that benefits the wealthy while gutting public schools, unemployment benefits, and food assistance.

Johnson County is home to many private sector helpers like nonprofits, churches, and community groups. Collectively, they do an amazing job of improving lives. Even so, critical gaps remain in our local safety net. If the private sector can’t fix the issues facing Johnson County, how can we expect it to solve problems facing other Iowa communities?

Everyday Iowans are being left to fend for themselves while out of touch politicians like Reynolds recline from their hammocks of privilege and power. We deserve leaders that care about all Iowans and will work to strengthen our safety net, not starve it.

John Boller

Iowa City