We are now over 14 weeks into the legislative session, and last week was a busy and productive debate week in the Iowa Senate. Over the course of the week, the Senate passed almost 40 bills, addressing a wide variety of important issues. Topics included civics test requirements for high school students, interstate licensure compacts for dietitians and respiratory care professionals, and measures to strengthen and protect our First Amendment rights.
One bill that I was proud to manage on the Senate floor was HF 437, which establishes the Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa. The purpose of this center is to support teaching and research on the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and our society. The goal is to encourage academic programming and coursework that promotes the values of free speech and civil discourse. This bill will have a lasting impact by strengthening academic freedom and ensuring diverse perspectives are represented in our universities for years to come.
To many, April 15th is known as Tax Day. However, at the Iowa Senate, it was also the day that we passed Senate Joint Resolution 11, a measure aimed at protecting Iowans from reckless tax increases by making it more difficult to raise the state income tax.
Senate Joint Resolution 11 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers to raise the income tax or create a new tax. For a constitutional amendment to take effect in Iowa, it must pass through two consecutive General Assemblies before being placed on the ballot for a vote by the people. This is the second time the resolution has passed the Iowa Senate. If it now passes the House, it will appear on the ballot next fall.
Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen represents District 41, covering all of Cedar and parts of Muscatine and Scott counties. Contact him by email at kerry.gruenhagen@ legis.iowa.gov, or write 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319-1001