Legislative session has been hard on low-income Iowans

This year, Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Republican Legislature approved additional restrictive voting laws, in less than a week, with little public input, which make it hardest for the elderly, college students and lower income earners to vote. Reynolds and the Legislature passed a law that allows landlords to refuse Section 8 vouchers, used primarily by low income earners and younger people.

Reynolds and the Legislature approved laws restricting protesters’ rights (including one that provides civil liability protection to motorists who hit protesters. As we saw last summer, most protesters were generally younger and included many minorities.

This month, Reynolds cut off the federal unemployment benefits for Iowans, because there are low- and minimum-wage jobs out there that people aren't jumping on. And why is the minimum wage so low? Because Republicans approved a law taking away local authority to raise the minimum wage.

I've written to Gov. Reynolds over the last few years more than a dozen times. I've never received a reply; not even a form letter, which tells me she doesn't care what constituents think. I'm starting to get the impression that if you're young, a lower income earner, or a minority, Iowa doesn't really want you.

Lorri Pate

Hiawatha