Iowa proves that one-party government has a cost.
In the seven years since they took control of the House, Senate and governor's office, Iowa Republicans have passed very few substantive policies that improve the well-being of Iowans.
In the 2023 legislative session, more than 1,300 bills have been introduced. Only 10% were approved.
Iowa Republicans spend more time restricting freedoms than expanding opportunities. Among the most famous bills by Republicans was Prohibition Gender-affirming health care And use School bathrooms That aligns with gender identity.
The trend continues into this year's session: Iowa Republicans focus on the GOP's deeply unpopular and impractical national talking points, while locals suffer the consequences of a Legislature too distracted by the culture war to pass policies. meaningful.
For example, Republicans spent much of last year's session debating a bill that would ban books and school curricula that discuss gender identity or sexual orientation. Not only is the bill very unpopular – National Grenell Poll Data It appears that most Americans support having these books in schools – but it is also unconstitutional – a federal judge blocked the bill's implementation, citing a violation of the First Amendment.
The Iowa Republican Party is out of step with voters, and revolves around policies that do not improve the lives of Iowans, while ignoring the real problems.
Iowa's drinking water is among the most abundant Contaminated in the country. Child care services are short Over 350,000 slots. Mental health services Rank In the bottom five countries. Farm debts Hit high With a value of $18.9 billion. Nearly 50% of the state He suffers From obesity.
Shooting deaths are to rise. Suicide is increasing. Drug abuse is to rise. Life expectancy is drop.
Perhaps most problematic is Iowa's brain drain: the state is losing far more college graduates than it is retaining, and they are sitting in Tenth-worst in the country.
College-educated Iowans who are able to leave the state are doing so in an exodus. But those who have no way to leave are forced to get by with little help from elected officials who have the power to improve the lives of Iowans.
“Small cities are particularly good at identifying, nurturing and launching talented individuals,” say Patrick Carr and Maria Kefalas in “Small cities are particularly good at identifying, nurturing and launching talented individuals.”Empty the medium“, a case study of the brain drain in Iowa.
“They are gathering to prepare [kids] To leave, succeed brilliantly in doing so, and then mourn the loss of their combined talents.
If policies don't change, the most capable kids will continue to grow up, bring their talents to other states and never return to Iowa. Those left behind will resent the state that never gave them the opportunity to succeed.
The Legislature must give people a reason to stay in Iowa.
The steps are clear and straightforward.
First, Iowa Republicans must stop focusing on unprincipled policies that will never pass or will never positively impact Iowans.
This includes the full range of culture war policies currently dominating the Legislature: election denial, book bans, sex and LGBTQ+ ideology, and abortion rights. Many Iowans, especially those with college education, see the Legislature focused on the culture war and flee to states that address the real issues.
Second, the Legislature must support public schools, by increasing funding and reducing political oversight that drives teachers out of the profession.
But Governor Kim Reynolds did the opposite in 2023, the signature A “school choice” bill that reduces the budget of already underfunded public schools by an estimated $46 million. This session, Republicans are spending their time trying to do just that police How are social studies taught?
Schools are the most powerful tool for economic progress – they open doors for all children: rural and urban, rich and poor. The Iowa Republican Party is actively closing these doors.
Instead of tearing down schools by removing their books and limiting discussion topics, the Iowa Legislature should treat schools as avenues of opportunity.
To her credit, Reynold suggested it invoice Increasing teachers' wages is an important step. However, with hundreds of teachers resigning every year, their number is increasing according to Political attacks against their profession will require more than just increased compensation – it will require proving that they are valued and trusted.
The Iowa Republican Party has strayed from its original roots. The party was built on small government but is now run by a group of culture warriors led by Reynolds.
In the absence of a Democratic caucus in Iowa, the Iowa Republican Party has a responsibility to remain honest, accountable, and be more responsive to voters' demands. In the past, ideological balance prevented both sides from going to extremes. Now, the Republican Party is failing to control itself.
The more Iowa deviates from its current path, the more people flee the state. For those who have no choice but to stay, Republicans offer no promising future.
The real problems in Iowa are clear, and the solutions are realistic. But as it currently stands, Iowa Republicans seek to treat Iowa as an ideological platter, fighting for what the far right wants rather than what the majority needs.
