We’re eight weeks into the 2021 legislative session, and lawmakers at the Capitol continue to push bills — some good, some bad and a few...downright awful. Mary Nelle, Mike, Sheila and Natalie join Anne to give a status report on bills they’re tracking: voting rights, child care, education funding, tax policy, food assistance and more.

SHOW NOTES
Senate switchboard: 515-281-3371
House switchboard: 515-281-3221
Find your legislator: https://www.commongoodiowa.org/get-involved/find-your-lawmakers
Official Iowa legislative website: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/

56. The legislative session so far — in three words

Reckless, needless tax cuts currently making their way through the state legislature would not only reduced revenue — but will jeopardize much-needed aid to states and local governments provided in the American Rescue Plan. Anne is joined by colleagues Mike and Peter to unpack these harmful proposals and their implications for Iowans.

57. How reckless tax bills will cost Iowa double

Head Start, Iowa’s beloved early childhood education program, has been operating under a “new normal” since the pandemic hit our state earlier this year. As educators and kids alike head back to school, how are programs across the state working to keep kids healthy, safe and learning? 

Anne is joined by Carrie Sodders (Mid-Iowa Community Action) and Melissa Nelson (North Iowa Community Action Organization) — both experts on Head Start — to discuss how the statewide early childhood program has adapted since March — and what’s in store for the fall.

51. How Head Start is adapting to the pandemic in Iowa

For all of us, our past and present affect our future — for better or for worse. And the same is true for kids. Trauma experienced during childhood — known as adverse childhood experienced or ACEs — can cause health problems and learning challenges. But ACEs aren’t final; healing — and prevention — are possible.

Lisa Cushatt and Sarah Welch with Iowa ACEs 360 talk with Anne about their coalition’s work to put systems in place that help all Iowa children thrive, even if they’re experiencing trauma. They also breakdown the encouraging findings in “Healing Iowa: 2020 ACEs Report” that point to progress made in our state.

SHOW NOTES
Find the report here: https://www.iowaaces360.org/2020-iowa-aces-report.html

52. Preventing — and healing from — adverse childhood experiences

It's common for Iowa youth and young adults experience trauma during their childhood: physical, emotional or psychological. But through authentic relationships and, for some, art, these young Iowans can learn to overcome their past and create better lives for themselves. Christine Her, executive director at ArtForce Iowa, an organization transforming at-risk youth through art, opens up about her journey from trauma to healing — and how adults can help youth in Iowa find healing, too.

53. Helping youth overcome trauma through art

Here we go! The 2021 Iowa legislative session kicked off earlier this week as lawmakers returned to the Capitol and Governor Reynolds gave her Condition of the State speech. In this episode, Anne is joined by Sheila, Mary Nelle and Mike to unpack the governor’s proposals — as well as the policies and legislation we know are needed to support kids, families and communities, especially in light of the continuing pandemic.

54. And we're back as the 2021 session is underway

After almost of year of pandemic, public schools across Iowa are trying to find a new normal that best meets the needs of their students. But both chambers of the Iowa legislature are advancing bills that would only increase the challenges school districts — and their students — face.

Joining Anne on the podcast is Melissa Peterson of the Iowa State Education Association and Margaret Buckton, who represents the Urban Education Network and Rural School Advocates of Iowa. They unpack some key threats to local public schools: funding that fails to meet the unprecedented need, private school vouchers and charter schools. 

Said Peterson: “Given the pace at which some of these pieces of legislation are moving, it makes it hard not to think public education is under attack.”

55. Lawmakers challenge public school quality, equity on multiple fronts

Welcome to A Deeper Dive, a podcast about the public policies, issues and current events shaping the lives of Iowans and their communities.

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