This week we passed a substantial bill refocusing and reforming our Regent Universities. Finding skilled labor is one of the most frequent problems I hear about back home and so refocusing our higher education on preparing students to fill jobs most needed in Iowa was a priority of many.
HF2558 passed the House and achieves a big goal towards that concept. The bill does four main things:
-The bill creates a Work+ program for community colleges and Regent institutions. The goal is to further connect students to careers and jobs that are both in high need and can provide them with employment opportunities upon graduation.
-The bill codifies the Board of Regents November recommendations regarding DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). DEI programs’ original intent and what they have become are two completely different things. DEI programs have become politically intolerant left-wing indoctrination programs. As I have said many times- no schooling at any level should be partisan or leaning towards one ideology.
-The bill caps annual tuition and mandatory fee increases at 3% for Iowa residents.
-Finally, the bill freezes the creation of new administrative positions at our Regents Universities unless approved by the Board of Regents. This is designed to reign in bloated administrations.
I believe our universities do an incredible amount of research and learning for Iowans. The work they do can and does save lives as well as educating people for their futures.
I want to remind everyone, however, that these are public institutions. They are operated with the help of taxpayer money and the taxpayers of Iowa are not interested in training social justice warriors, they are interested in training our states workforce and giving students a quality education.
A second bill I supported this week is a bill aimed to deter “smash and grab” mobs. We have seen an increase in retail theft both nationally and here in Iowa.
While it wasn’t a theft you all probably remember the mob that defaced our Old Capitol in Iowa City as well as defacing Herky outside of Kinnick Stadium after blocking the road. That kind of behavior will not be tolerated, and neither will “smash and grab” mobs.
HF2594 establishes the crime of organized retail theft and lays out a tiered system of punishment depending on the value of the stolen goods. This will not only punish those who commit the crime, but it should act as a deterrent for this disturbing trend from becoming as prevalent in Iowa the way it has in other states.
This bill passed unanimously in the House with all Democrats and Republicans voting for the bill.