Time to Deliver for Working Families

It’s time to deliver for working Iowa families. That means all legislators working to find common ground and move past nearly a decade of single-party policymaking that has left too many Iowans out in the cold. Iowans deserve true representation and a focus on improving their lives — not culture wars, backroom deals, and corporate giveaways.

We often hear that most bills pass unanimously — what that misses is that way too many consequential bills that truly impact Iowans’ lives are mired in controversy. Iowans deserve better. In 2026, we can deliver for working families — an effort that starts at the kitchen table.

Working Iowans face rising costs, inaccessible services, weakened workplace protections, and growing health and health care access concerns. Rising grocery and housing prices stretch monthly budgets to the breaking point. If we focus on affordability and improving access to critical resources and services, we can reduce the stressors that keep our neighbors up at night — and reinvigorate the sense of community that defines the Iowa we know and love.

Here's one example. For way too many Iowans, child care represents one of the single largest budgetary burdens. We must do better — and we can. We have untapped resources available to increase child care slots around the state, expand state assistance to cover more families, and grow the child care workforce. Improving access to nearby, affordable, quality child care options helps working parents, improves developmental outcomes for children, and encourages the continued growth of local child care businesses.

Working Iowans are the engine that drives our state. They must have the opportunity to get ahead, not just get by. We need to combat wage theft, reinforce the unemployment safety net, including for those who face plant closings, and protect our public employees’ retirement benefits. Invigorating Iowa’s economic growth — growing our workforce and keeping our young people here — starts by putting working Iowans first.

Delivering for working families also means restoring public education’s rightful status as a state government priority — we used to pride ourselves on being #1 in public education, and we can do it again. The vast majority of Iowa students are educated in public schools, yet our investment lags far behind the rate of inflation and we now divert significant state resources into subsidizing private schools. The shift away from public education has resulted in diminished educational outcomes for students, higher costs for taxpayers, and a professional brain drain as educators seek better opportunities elsewhere. Restoring support for public education is about more than a national ranking. It’s also about our communities’ economic well-being. Public schools are the heart of our communities and create a brighter future for us all.

Reducing housing costs is another way we must reduce the economic burden on Iowans. Thriving communities depend on the availability of safe, stable, affordable housing options. Right now, rising housing costs are putting a strain on homeowners and renters alike. Attacking this problem can both improve the quality of life for the folks already here and serve as an incentive as we work to grow our workforce.

None of this will be easy. Breaking a pattern never is. But with Iowa in a recession, stagnant income growth, rising costs, and an ag economy battered by federal decisions, one thing is clear: the status quo isn’t working. When corporations receive tax cuts, and workers receive layoffs, it’s time for a change in direction.

It’s time to reset and reprioritize. It’s time for us to work together in the Legislature to deliver for Iowa’s working families.