Senator Donahue’s July 17 Newsletter

From the Desk of Senator Donahue

The past couple of weeks have been a wonderful reminder of why I love serving the people of Senate District 37.

From visiting Iowa State University and seeing firsthand the incredible innovation happening in engineering, agriculture, and athletics at my alma mater, to celebrating community events in Marion, meeting with constituents, and advocating for cleaner water, stronger public schools, and an economy that works for everyone, every day has reinforced why this work matters.

I’ve also spent time listening—hearing your concerns about rising costs, access to health care, protecting our natural resources, and ensuring Iowa remains a place where families can build a future. Those conversations are the foundation of every decision I make and every fight I take on at the Capitol.

In this newsletter is a snapshot of where I’ve been, who I’ve met, and the issues I’ve been working on over the past few weeks. Thank you for your ideas, your support, and your willingness to stay engaged. It is truly an honor to serve as your State Senator, and I look forward to continuing this work together.

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Events around the district

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmer’s Market

Iowa’s Letter to 2076

Stained Glass – One and Done Open Choice

Helmet Fitting and Giveaway

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BIG birthdays in the district this month

Renee	Kibbie
Anders	Walker
Laura	Kirsch
Amanda	Dixon
Scott	Lavine
Steven	Heyer
Christopher	Nigh
Douglas	Moyer
James	Zeal
Paul	Mahurin
Jonathan	Krueger
Gail	Thornton
Heather	Weber
Robert	Bradley
Eugene	Lien
David	Grommon
Jody	Lysne
Tim	Quandt
Jennifer	Jenatscheck
Donald	Fee
Amy	Thompson
Marcia	Hunter
Nancy	Easley
Michael	Ross
Mary	Olinger
Jolynne	Blake
Gerry	Barr
Margarita	Wegmann
Matthew	Lukesh
Jenna	Henkes
Mark	John
Wade	Leslie
Marilyn	Oshea
Jamie	Sebring
Gina	Lahue
Lavonne	Shearer
Kristine	Peyton
Bradley	Becker
Larry	Taylor
Paul	Newhouse
Marianna	Lage
Matthew	Harris
Larry	Roberts
Mary	Lindaman
Marco	Nannelli
Matthew	Graves
Matthew	Marks
Todd	Orme
Joel	Desousa
Diane	Dougherty
Stephen	Cairney
Douglas	Krauss
Clair	Mekota
James	Gray
David	Benesch
Jennifer	Lown
Jamie	Lundahl
Charity	Madren
Angela	Freund
Michael	Kelly
Risa	Oltmann
Tammy	Pritchett
Renee	Nelson
Pamela	Van Heukelom
Randall	Toothaker
Rebecca	Esker
Gayle	Kos
Joel	Cox
Sara	Norlin
Stephania	Sauer
Christina	Root
Carmen	Prieto-Wasta
April	Stolba
Alan	Johnson
Carolyn	Quimby
Candice	Hilgendorf
Debra	Archbold
Andrew	Smith
Danielle	Blech
Grace	Maresh
Kristen	Erickson
Martha	Novak
Timothy	Sagan
Jeremy	Beckmann
Ashley	Hummel
Helen	Fye
Wayne	Larsen
Thomas	Bevard
Laura	Rempe
Anandhi	Raghuram
Elizabeth	Justice
Rebecca	Dotson
Eric	Greene
Nora	Burgess
Kimberly	Stevens
Eric	Anderson
Michael	Adams
Brent	Rickels
Marcia	Crow
Veenaben	Patel
Randy	Busch
Shirley	Boyles
Carol	Stammeyer
Deborah	McDonough
Tisha	Ritter
Linda	Moeller
Jared	Johanningmeier
Jessica	Radl
Rofaida	Abu Alfoul
Suzanna	Dinwiddie
Teresa	Hollingsworth
Heather	Long
Kathleen	Hyman
Ervin	Kelzenberg
Adrian	Kesler
Thomas	Thurman
Lindsey	Ferguson
Ronald	Wright
Himanshu	Bhakta
Tennille	Fain
Michael	McGraw
Katherine	Hardman
Robert	Rammelsberg
Devon	Dietz
Sebastian	Holloway
Kenneth	Holub
Thomas	Bice
Derek	Reisner
Rick	Tebbe
Edward	Skaggs
Craig	Bova
Joel	Conrad
Cory	Tenney
Lois	Newholm
Donna	Troxel
Rachel	Garnant
Marie	Burmeister
Jeffrey	Bell

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Iowans are struggling to make ends meet

During the interim period, when the legislature is not in session and I am here in the district, I take every opportunity I can get to chat with our friends and neighbors in the district about the issues that affect them every day. Hearing from you, especially in person, helps shape my work at the Capitol. What I’m hearing, over and over again, is just how tough it is for folks right now.

A 2026 report from the United Way shows that 1 in 3 Iowa households cannot afford to meet basic needs (things like food, housing, clothing, and transportation). The report talks about the cost of food and rent rising much faster than wages; it talks about how families struggle to balance work, caregiving, and financial stress while trying to stay healthy in a diminished healthcare landscape; and it talks about the impact of limited childcare slots on working families.

Another report, this one from the Common Sense Institute of Iowa, shows that Iowans are paying, on average, $1,508 more per month than they were in 2020. In that time, the monthly costs of housing, transportation, and food have risen by $531, $406, and $198, respectively.

I see these pressures reflected in the conversations I have with constituents. I hear about how the high costs of groceries, gas, and housing are squeezing monthly budgets. When local clinics close I hear how worried folks are about how it will affect their healthcare-related costs – is there a doctor nearby, or will you have to travel further to receive care? When local employers lay off workers I hear how the uncertainty and anxiety add even more stress to the mix.

And the backdrop for all of this added pressure is a floundering state economy built around budget priorities that aren’t designed to focus on working Iowans. Under the Republican trifecta in Des Moines, culture war distractions and special interest policy priorities have moved to the forefront while strengthening public education, restoring worker protections, expanding healthcare access, and growing our childcare capabilities have been relegated to the back of the line.

The latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Iowa was one of just three states with a shrinking GDP in the first quarter of 2026. Our state has lost more than 11,000 jobs in the last year. We’re working under back-to-back billion-dollar state budget deficits. Private school vouchers now drain hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars every year. Instead of working toward a more welcoming Iowa that works for everyone, attracts new businesses, and grows our workforce, Republican lawmakers have spent years pushing people away and now we’re all paying the price.

Making Iowa a more affordable and welcoming state isn’t just good, commonsense policy, it’s become an economic necessity. More than ever, we need to put aside the trivial nonsense and focus on what Iowans actually need; on the issues you tell me about in the grocery store and at the farmer’s market. That’s why Senate Democrats have introduced and will continue to fight for a whole slate of bills designed to address affordability, healthcare access, worker security, and more of the everyday concerns Iowans face. Because it’s tough out there, and Iowans deserve better.

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An update on SNAP

Senate Democrats have been fighting against an effort to add complicated restrictions to Iowa’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Those restrictions were passed by Republican lawmakers, signed into law by Gov. Reynolds, and approved by the Trump Administration.

A recent federal court decision has blocked those new restrictions. So, what does that mean for you?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has vacated Iowa’s “Healthy SNAP” waiver, and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has directed all local retailers to update their systems to reflect the changes. That means that all food items that were previously eligible under SNAP are eligible for purchase once again.

Since the Summer EBT program (SUN Bucks) was already underway when the update took effect, the program will continue and food items that were previously eligible will be allowed for purchase.

I will keep you updated on any additional changes.

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Another privatization push

In June, Gov. Reynolds announced her decision to privatize the state’s IT systems and operations, disrupting the lives of hundreds of public sector employees and sending Iowa down the same privatization path that has so consistently failed our Medicaid recipients.

There have been no financial savings for the state under the privatized Medicaid model. Iowans have been subjected to diminished care, higher costs, and more illegal denials of service. A 2025 effort to privatize the healthcare staff in the state’s correctional facilities would have similarly failed to provide improved care or services – that effort was, thankfully, nixed. Why should Iowans believe that this time will be any different?

As for the 200 or so public employees who oversaw Iowa’s IT systems and operations, they will no longer have access to IPERS or the other benefits on which they previously relied. Employment opportunities at the private company may not offer the same long-term job security or workplace protections the workers previously enjoyed.

The privatization of state systems rarely, if ever, produces improved outcomes for Iowans. Iowans deserve better than another turn down this failed road.

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Quick Updates

Stop the Scammers Tour Sparks 19 Fraud Investigations: The Iowa Insurance Division’s 2026 Stop the Scammers tour – a joint initiative of the Iowa Department of insurance and Financial Services, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, and AARP Iowa – officially concluded in June after hosting 20 free educational events across the state. More than 1,400 Iowans attended the tour to learn how to recognize and avoid modern threats, including investment fraud, imposter scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and Medicare schemes. If you or a loved on believe you have been targeted by a scam, report it immediately at IowaFraudFighters.gov.

New funding for water quality projects: Included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which went into effect on July 1, are millions of dollars in new funding for water quality projects around the state. After years of ignoring Iowa’s water quality issues, Republican lawmakers finally acknowledged the problem and joined legislative Democrats in taking action. You can read more about the projects here.

State Park Photo Contest: Capture Iowa’s most iconic and beautiful locations and submit your favorites in the 2026 state park Photo Contest.

CTE Impact nearly 70% of Iowa high school students: More than 107,000 students participated in career and technical education (CTE) during the 2024–25 school year, according to the recently published Secondary Career and Technical Education Impact Report. Students are increasingly gaining hands-on experience, with nearly half of CTE seniors participating in work-based learning and more than 8,600 earning industry-recognized credentials. Iowa also exceeded federal performance benchmarks, including a 95.7% graduation rate among CTE students.

Suicide Prevention Summit: The Iowa Suicide Prevention Coalition Summit will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27, in Ames. For more information, the agenda, lodging options, and to register, go to the Summit’s website.

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