>>> Funding for this program was provided by friends, the Iowa PBS foundation, as well as generations of families who feel passionate about the programs they watch on Iowa PBS.

>> Legislators gather in Iowa's capitol city of Des Moines.

In an evening speech, tonight is the 2022 Condition of the State address.

Welcome to Iowa PBS live coverage of Governor Reynolds Condition of the State address.

It comes amid a year of pandemic, economic, and social change across the country.

And here in Iowa, republicans still retain Trifecta control of the governorship, the Iowa House, and the Iowa Senate.

>> I'm Kay Henderson.

Governor Kim Reynolds is in the Iowa House right now.

Let's go listen to what she has to say.

>> It is my pleasure to introduce Governor Kim Reynolds for her Condition of the State message to the 2022 session of the 89th general assembly.

[ Applause ] >> Okay.

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, legislative leaders and members, justices and judges, my fellow Iowans, two years ago, Michael Mueller were living in California, but they were looking for something else, something away from the hustle and bustle, the crowded highways and the high cost of living.

They had visited the city of EL corn in Shelby County and fallen in love with it.

So, when a restaurant came up for sale, they made the leap and put their faith in Iowa.

They bought an acreage outside of town, packed their belongings, and began to build a life and introduce themselves and their two daughters to the community.

They opened their restaurant, Grace on Main, in March of 2020.

And you all know what came next.

But the Muellers quickly realized that the Iowa way of life isn't a myth.

The community came together and came in droves to the restaurant window to buy their unique pizzas.

Unlike so many states, Iowa's economy stayed open, and so did Grace on Main.

And they did more than stay open.

The Muellers and their restaurant have thrived, winning multiple awards, including the Rural Operator of the Year from the Iowa Restaurant Association.

When I stopped by Grace on Main for lunch this fall, they told me, Iowa nice is not just a slogan.

It's real.

It's not who has a nicer car and how much money you have.

If you need help, everyone is willing to drop everything and help.

And you don't get that back in California.

I couldn't help but smile because that's exactly what we've always done, and it's what we'll always do.

The Muellers had faith in Iowa, and Iowa came through.

The Muellers couldn't be with us tonight, but we're joined by some of their most loyal customers.

So, won't you please join me in welcoming the Muellers to Iowa and recognizing the community that embraced them?

[ Applause ] Two years ago, about the time the Muellers were moving to Iowa, I stood here before you at the beginning of a new decade.

I talked about how far we'd come in ten years, about how we'd gone from a time when families lost their life savings, Iowans lost their jobs, and our state government lost control of its budget to a time of record low unemployment, a budget surplus, and record investments in K-12 education.

But most important I talked about a vision for our future, about the need to be bold, to show the world that Iowa truly is the state of opportunity.

The pandemic delayed some of our efforts, but it certainly didn't change our direction.

In the last eight months alone, we've invested $300 million more in broadband, strengthened funding for mental health by making it more sustainable, made our communities safer and supported our law enforcement, encouraged quality housing, extended and expanded our water quality efforts, repealed the inheritance tax on families.

We gave parents more choices in their child's education.

We protected life, and we expanded telehealth services to increase access to health care across every part of our state.

[ Applause ] When U.S. News and World Report ranked Iowa the number one state for opportunity last year, it wasn't because we wanted it.

It was because we earned it.

It was because we had faith in Iowans, and Iowans came through.

Of course rankings are nice, but they're not what matters.

What matters is how we come together in our own communities from cities like Des Moines to small towns like Elcorn, where we live, work, and worship.

This is my fourth time reporting to you on the condition of our state, and I am proud to report for the fourth time in every corner of our state, the condition of our state is strong.

[ Applause ] We're strong because we've been guided by the likes of common sense, fairness, and freedom, by the knowledge that bold action isn't always government action.

It's Iowans making their own decisions for their families and future.

Under these high ceilings next to this marble, among these columns and portraits, it's tempting to believe that nothing good happens unless we legislate it, regulate it, or fund it.

But in the small towns around kitchen tables, in the fields and back offices, Iowans understand that we in this building don't fund anything.

They do.

And right now they're paying too much.

Last year the state ended with a $1.2 billion surplus on top of $1 billion of cash received.

Now, that's good.

We kept spending down.

But it also means that despite the historic 2018 tax cuts, we're still taking too much from Iowa's paychecks.

That needs to stop, and it needs to stop now.

Tonight I'll introduce a comprehensive bill that significantly cuts taxes for all Iowans.

First, it eliminates our complex system of multiple tax brackets and sets one tax rate of 4% flat and fair.

[ Applause ] The cuts will occur gradually over the next four years so that we protect priorities like education and public safety.

But in the first year alone, tax payers will save almost $500 million.

And by 2026, when the bill is fully implemented, an average Iowa family will pay over $1,300 less in taxes.

And that's on top of their $1,000 tax cut from the 2018 bill.

Now, that's money that can reinvested in our economy and used to promote the prosperity of every Iowan.

Yes, we'll have less to spend once a year at the capitol, but we'll see it spend every single day on Main Street, in restaurants all across Iowa.

We'll see it spent on businesses instead of bureaucracies.

We'll put our faith in Iowans, and they won't let us down.

[ Applause ] Also starting next year for Iowans who have worked all their lives and saved for retirement, this bill will do even more by eliminating the taxation of retirement income.

For the vast majority of retired Iowans, those who rely on their 401k, IRA, or pension, that's not just an income tax cut.

It's a full income tax repeal.

[ Applause ] And that's how it should be.

You have worked hard all of your life saving for retirement and paying your fair share in taxes.

It's time that you get a break from the tax collector.

You've earned it.

Now you should enjoy it.

Under my plan, the tax repeal on retirement income won't be limited to bank accounts.

For farmers whose savings is as much the black dirt under their boots as the money in the bank, this bill will eliminate the tax on cash rent payments they receive when they retire from farming.

And for employees who received stock in their company for years of hard work, the bill will eliminate the tax on the sale of those shares.

This will be a game changer that will incentivize employers to share ownership with their employees and send a message to the rest of the country, come.

Move to Iowa.

Work here and become an owner in a company and grow your investment tax free.

[ Applause ] Have faith in Iowa, and Iowa will come through.

So, all of these tax cuts have one thing in common.

They reward work, work to be done, and a lifetime of work to be proud of.

And that's never been more important, as the country is facing an unprecedented worker shortage.

Across the nation, job openings far outnumber the workers available to fill them.

4 million fewer Americans are working now than they were before the pandemic.

So, Iowa is in a better position than most, with the ninth highest labor participation rate in the country.

But we're still down from where we were at the beginning of 2020.

And if we don't take bold action, other states will.

Thanks to the leadership and careful planning of many of you in this room, we're building on a solid foundation.

Through bipartisan efforts, we established Future Ready Iowa, which provides tuition free community college to Iowans training for high demand jobs.

Since the fall of 2019, more than 35,000 scholarships have been awarded, empowering nearly 17,000 Iowans to pursue careers and advance Iowa's work force with thousands more to come.

We've also focused on expanding apprenticeship programs, incorporating work-based learning in our schools, integrating computer science into the curriculum and so much more.

With these efforts, we're on the path to giving every Iowan the opportunity to find a rewarding career.

But barriers to work still exist, including the need for child care.

That's also a national issue.

But contrary to what some in D.C. believe, there isn't a national solution.

In Iowa, we've taken a bottom-up approach.

Last legislative session, we created the child care challenge.

It's a program where providers apply for grants that fit the needs of their communities.

And I'm happy to say that it's already paying off.

In less than a year, we've awarded grants that will create 4,000 new child care spots across the state.

Sprouts Early Learning Academy in Carlisle is a great example.

Paige and Taylor Smothers opened the academy, and thanks to one of these grants, they overcame inflated construction costs and regulatory burdens to open an amazing preschool and child care center for 70 2-5 year olds.

When I visited the academy, I could see we were on the right path.

I've invited Paige and Taylor to be with us tonight, to be recognized for their achievement and hear firsthand that their efforts and the efforts of others like them have inspired us to do more.

So, won't you please stand and be recognized?

[ Applause ] Because of the positive results from the child care challenge and because of the overwhelming number of outstanding applicants, I'm announcing that the State is expanding this program to provide another 5,000-plus child care openings across the state.

Last week, I, along with legislators, had the privilege of calling some of the applicants to let them know that they'll be receiving a grant.

So, let me give you a sample of what's to come.

In Dubuque, Aspire Home Day Care network will inspire homes that help stay-at-home moms create their own daycares.

In Williamsburg, will serve as a child care center for teachers' children.

And in Hull, the Bright Start Day Care and Preschool will cut the waitlist.

These are more than just buildings.

They are physical reminders of the thousands of lives that will be enriched.

And it's not just the children.

It's also the lives of parents empowered to go to work knowing that their child is cared for.

Last spring, I also accomplished the governor's Child Care task force, and I charged the group with developing a comprehensive strategy to address this issue.

I'm happy to report that we've already made progress in implementing many of the recommendations, including relieving child care providers of onerous regulations.

There's more to do, and I look forward to working with the legislature this session.

[ Applause ] >> There are so many reasons for the worker shortage, but we need to recognize in some cases it's because the government has taken away the need or desire to work.

The safety net has become a hammock.

Now, don't mistake me.

This isn't the only cause, but it's a growing problem, and it's not just an economic one.

There is dignity in work.

It gives us meaning and purpose.

So, when it's degraded, when idleness is rewarded with enhanced unemployment and stimulus checks, when work begins to seem optional rather than fundamental, then society begins to decay.

I'm worried that we're reaching that point where workers who stay home are being put ahead of workers who show up.

Tomorrow, somewhere in Iowa, a carpenter will struggle to set rafters by himself in the freezing cold.

He needs help, and he's been asking for it.

But too many are at home living on his tax dollars.

It's been the same for almost two years now.

His hands are tired.

His back is tired.

He's just tired.

He has faith in Iowa, and he believes we'll come through.

But D.C. doesn't seem to care.

So, let's show him that Iowa does care.

Let's show him that in this state, we appreciate the value of work and will promote it at every turn.

[ Applause ] We start by revamping our unemployment system so that it becomes a re-employment system.

Unemployment benefits serve an important purpose, as a short-term benefit for Iowans who are unexpectedly out of work through no part of their own.

But we can't forget these are taxpayer funds, and we have to recognize that we're living in a time of prolonged low unemployment.

Today there are many more job openings than Iowans on unemployment.

Those Iowans have six months to collect benefits while they look for one of those many open jobs.

And frankly, that's more time than necessary.

I'll be introducing a bill that lowers benefits to 16 weeks, about four months, and ensures that those collecting unemployment can't turn down suitable jobs while living on taxpayer funds.

[ Applause ] We'll also increase our efforts to match unemployed Iowans with new opportunities.

To that end, I'm announcing the creation of a separate re-employment decision within the State whose sole focus will be helping Iowans get back to work.

We want Iowans to succeed, and we'll give them every opportunity to do so.

[ Applause ] Unemployment payments and stimulus checks aren't the only government-created problems we're facing.

We need to continue our work this session to eliminate unnecessary licensing requirements that keep people from moving to or working in Iowa.

We also need to address a legal system that is awarding millions of dollars in damages without regard to the consequences.

When accidents and mistakes happen, injured Iowans deserve to be fairly compensated.

But our multimillion dollar jury awards do more than that.

They act as a tax on all Iowans, raising the cost of goods and services, and jeopardizing our health care system.

Like many states have already done, we need to put reasonable caps on non-economic damages for trucking accidents and medical malpractice.

Let's work together to do just that.

[ Applause ] The shortage of health care workers is one of our greatest work force concerns, especially in rural Iowa.

Five of the state's top ten postings are health care careers with registered nurses and nursing assistants at the top of the list.

And the problem is expected to get worse, as the Bureau of Labor projects the need for 1.1 million more nurses nationally by 2030.

Once again, Iowa is ahead of the curve, as we've already begun the process to recruit and train.

We're expanding our loan forgiveness programs for health care professionals who commit to Iowa, especially our rural areas.

And we're making it easier for part-time nurses to teach while they work.

We're also starting our training programs earlier to give our students a first-hand view of what a career in health care looks like.

The high school career academy recently launch add I patient registered program, that offers students hands-on experience while at the same time earning a wage.

Before they even leave high school, these students can become a CNA and then qualify to work as a lab or surgical technician.

And within a few short years, they can go on to become an OB tech, RN, or BSN, all while being paid.

This innovative approach and the public-private partnership that make it possible are what Iowa's education and health care systems need.

So, that's why we're launching a new health care registered apprenticeship program that will provide funding to at least communities to scale what Pella has done.

Marie Vanderbilt, the first apprentice in the program, said that getting hands-on experience in health care gave her a new appreciation for this career path.

She told me, the job isn't always easy, but I get to leave work each day knowing that I made a difference.

Marie, along with her instructor, Kay Landon, and the program partners from Pella regional hospital are with us tonight.

Let's thank them for leading.

[ Applause ] [ Applause ] Across the state, educators are teaming up with professionals in their field to train our students.

In fact, we are a national leader in work-based learning.

But for all the real world experience we've brought to the classroom, from welding to information technology to health care, we've missed an important one, education.

When it comes to training the next generation of teachers, we haven't been using our best asset, our teachers in the classroom, the one who is put their skills to work every day to make a difference.

Starting tomorrow, we'll be launching the first teacher registered apprenticeship program in the country, letting schools effectively grow their own.

High school apprentices start classroom instruction in their junior year.

And within a year of graduation, they can earn a para-educator credential and associate's degree.

And for para-educators, their day jobs will count towards student teaching, greatly reducing the cost and time required to become a teacher.

The teachers of tomorrow are in our schools today, so let's give them a head start on their journey to one of the most rewarding careers.

[ Applause ] [ Applause ] Talk to someone who's been successful, and without fail, they'll tell you about a teacher who set them on their path, about someone who inspired them, who pushed them to be what they are today.

Our teachers provide more than textbook instruction.

They give emotional support and structure.

They help guide our children through their most difficult and formative years.

And that's why it was and remains so important that our schools stay open.

[ Applause ] I'm proud of the tens of thousands of Iowa teachers who stayed in the classroom when so many in other states did not.

And as a means of saying, thank you, and to help retain our teachers, I'm announcing tonight we'll use federal funds to award $1,000 retention bonuses to teachers who stayed on the job through the pandemic and who will continue their teaching next year.

[ Applause ] Your work is essential, and we want you to know it.

The importance of a strong public school system is reflected in the state budget, where public education accounts for more than 56% of our state funding.

For K-12, that's over $3.7 billion, and it's increased nearly a billion dollars in the last decade.

For most Iowa families, that's money well spent.

Across the state, in every one of our 99 counties, there are strong schools with dedicated teachers.

But for some families, the school district doesn't fit their values or meet the needs of their child.

And sadly, in some cases, school administrators are ignoring the problem or just not listening.

Some even believe that it's a school's responsibility to not just teach kids to learn, but to control what they learn, to push their world view.

The problem has been building for some time, but parents are no longer in the dark.

Recently, several parents brought to light that schools are buying and teaching with books that contain vulgar and sexually explicit material involving minors.

Those books are so explicit they'd be rated X if they were movies.

The content is so bad that after a parent read them at a school board meeting, the district took down the live stream from its website because the passages were too inappropriate.

And yet many of these books remain in school libraries today.

We live in a free country with free expression, but there's a difference between shouting vulgarities from a street corner and assigning them as classroom reading.

There's a difference between late night cable TV and a school library.

If school boards and administrators refuse to understand that, if they believe the classroom is about pushing their world view, then we're on the wrong path.

So, to the parents who are listening tonight who are frustrated with what's happening, know that I and members of this legislature have heard you loud and clear.

Enough is enough.

Parents matter, and we're making sure that you stay in charge of your child's education.

[ Cheers and Applause ] [ Applause ] [ Applause ] It starts with full transparency.

All schools should be required to publish what they're teaching.

There's no reason to hide it, at least no good reason.

The same goes for the books in the library.

Parents should know what their kids have access to, and they should have a timely process to address that concern because when parents are fully informed, they can make informed choices.

And ultimately that's what every parent deserves, a choice.

Even when the school is doing what it should, that doesn't necessarily mean the unique needs and values of every student are being met.

Wealthier parents always have an option.

But many middle and lower-income families don't.

They don't have a choice.

Jackie, a mother of four daughters who attended Catholic school in Denison said it best.

Writing to "the Des Moines Register," she said that school choice is personal.

It's about students.

Choice empowers parents.

A child's strongest advocate and the people who know best their schools and interests.

To select the learning environment that will allow their child to shine.

Jackie, I could not agree more, which is why I'll be introducing legislation that allows middle- and low-income families and students with an IEP to receive a portion of the per pupil funds allocated annually by the state to move their child to the education of their choice.

About 70%, over $5,300, of those funds will go directly into an account for families to customize their child's education.

The remaining 30% will be distributed by the State to smaller school districts.

We want to ensure our small schools stay strong while at the same time empowering parents to choose what's best for their child.

[ Applause ] As I said last year, school choice isn't a zero sum game.

It has the potential to raise the quality of all schools.

After we expanded open enrollment last session, one superintendent responded by setting the goal of making his school district, quote, the destination of choice.

And that is precisely what we want for every school, public or private, to strive to be the best it can be.

Because when our schools succeed, Iowa becomes a destination of choice for parents everywhere.

[ Applause ] My focus tonight is about work and workers, about what puts food on the table and a roof over our head, about what gives us meaning and purpose.

But sometimes work means more than that.

Sometimes, for a small but brave few, it means putting someone else's life above their own.

For workers, those who serve in our armed forces, who patrol our streets, guard our prisons, or in any other way protect and serve, an occasion like this would be incomplete without saying thank you and recognizing those Iowan who is gave the ultimate sacrifice last year.

Corporal William Tyler Paige, who was killed by terrorists, as he bravely protected U.S. citizens and Afghan refugees attempted to evacuate Kabul.

Nurse Lorena SHULty and correctional officer Robert McFarlan, who sacrificed their lives to stop two in mates from escaping prison.

And state patrol sergeant Jim Smith and trooper Ted benda, who spent their careers protecting Iowans safe, who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

I also want to honor the life of Congressman Neil Smith, a man who served this state and this country for almost all of his 101 years, including as a military pilot who earned the purple heart in World War II.

And I want to recognize the absence of my friend, John Landon, who served his country in Vietnam and served this state as a representative of this body.

I miss seeing your reassuring face from this podium, but I'm so happy that your legacy lives on.

To honor all of these brave men and women we lost this year, please join me and the family members who are with us tonight in a moment of silence.

Thank you.

Whether it's patrolling our streets or guarding our prisons, public safety jobs are difficult and absolutely vital.

I want to thank the legislature for giving additional funds to the department of corrections to help keep our prisons secure.

And I want to recognize the importance of the Back the Blue bill she passed last year.

It's more important than ever that we show these men and women that we appreciate what they do because across the country, far too many don't have that appreciation.

They don't believe in prisons and don't see the need for police.

That way of thinking isn't just wrong.

It's dangerous.

And in Iowa, it has no place.

To reinforce that message, we're using federal ARPA funds to give our brave men and women in law enforcement and corrections $1,000 retention bonus, while also aggressively recruiting officers in other states.

When law enforcement officers are treated like villains and other jobs are plentiful, it's no wonder that applications nationally are down and resignations are up.

It's no wonder that our young people are saying, no thanks, to a career in public safety.

While we can't fix attitudes in other states, we can certainly let our officers and officers across the country know that in Iowa, they're welcome and will receive the respect and support they deserve.

[ Applause ] [ Applause ] Most of what we do here in this building is about what happens in Iowa.

It's about educating our children in our schools, getting Iowans back to work, or just government, aren't standing in their way.

But Iowa is a national and international leader.

What we do reverberates beyond our borders.

And that's certainly true when it comes to agriculture and energy, and especially when the two meet.

Iowa is a leader in renewable energy.

In fact, we lead the nation in the production of both ethanol and biodiesel and the crops that make them.

Everyone knows that renewable fuel is important to Iowa.

But D.C. is losing sight of its importance to the country.

Time and again in administrations of both parties, the federal government has walked away from its commitment to renewable fuels, and we've had to bring them back.

Well, we need to do it again.

The Biden Administration SHAZ focused almost all of its efforts on electric vehicles, actively working to eliminate gas powered cars.

That's a mistake, especially as China works to lock up the precious metals that make EV batteries.

Instead we need to continue to embrace an all of the above approach, where we support energy sources that come from right here in Iowa.

To do that, I'm introducing new legislation that will improve access to E-15 and B-20 and upgrade Iowa's fuel infrastructure to offer higher blends.

And I'm proposing that we invest in carbon capture solutions to sustain and build on our leadership in renewable energy.

Let's send D.C. a message that can't be ignored.

Let's remind them that America's energy is growing right here in Iowa's fields.

[ Applause ] I want to end tonight where I began, by highlighting the amazing things that are happening in our communities.

I do this to shine a light on what Iowans are doing and to remind us in this chamber that it's not our doing.

In Mason City, residents are completely remaking their downtown with the historic Frank Lloyd Wright hotel as an anchor.

They repurposed a mall as an ice arena, and lined the buildings with second floor housing.

In the small community of just 1,200, remade itself into a destination by creating one of Iowa's first white water courses and by reviving land marks like the theater and the opera house and by opening numerous restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that have created a cultural hub.

In Woodvine, the schools, businesses worked together to create the Crew center, a place that combines education and community, where the small school district created an innovative work based learning platform, ignite pathways.

That's a magnet for all of southwest Iowa.

Revitalization efforts like these are happening all over the state.

They're happening because people see something special in our small towns and cities.

They see something special in each other.

At the end of "Field of Dreams," a magical movie we got to relive last summer, James Earl Jones' character tells Ray, in a baritone voice that I can't imitate, Ray, people will come, Ray.

They'll come for -- they'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom.

If we get this right, if we take this opportunity, then people will come but for reasons that are obvious.

They'll come because here they can find freedom and opportunity because of our small towns and thriving cities.

They'll come because we reward work, value personal responsibility, and care for our neighbors.

Above all, they'll come because we put our faith in Iowans, and Iowans always come through.

Thank you.

God bless, and God bless the great state of Iowa.

[ Applause ] >>> This is Kay Henderson from the perch of the Iowa House of Representatives, the Iowa PBS studio, looking down on the Iowa House of Representatives, as they applaud Governor Kim Reynolds and her 2022 Condition of the State address.

I'm joined by James Q. Lynch to talk through some of the things we heard today.

James, what's our lead from this speech?

>> I think the lead obviously is flat tax, a core percent flat tax, and along with that eliminating the tax on retirement income.

These are big and bold moves that the governor teased us with earlier.

But, yeah, tax cuts are always the lead.

>> Some of the governor's staff told us earlier today that there are ten states that have a flat tax, so we would be joining a small crew as it were.

What was not answered was, is this the pathway to a complete elimination.

Of course, that's been talked about a lot from some of these republicans.

>> Right.

We've heard that from republicans all fall and leading up to this session that they wanted to eliminate income taxes, phase income taxes out.

The governor is taking a different approach.

And maybe that will be the final destination, but for now, she's saying we're going to cut taxes, make it flat, make it fair.

And I think that'll probably be an easier sell to a lot of Iowans because they'll see the tax relief.

But eliminating the tax cut is a little bit scary.

It's a big source of revenue for the state.

So, eliminating that I think might be a bridge too far at this point.

>> The other thing she mentioned, work force, and that's been a word that's mentioned a lot in these weeks leading up to the legislative session.

James, she mentioned some sort of significant changes to Iowa's unemployment system.

>> Yes.

She said she wants to make it a re-employment system.

And one of the steps in doing that is to reduce the time that people can get unemployment benefits from -- I think it's 26 weeks to 16 weeks, a 10-week cut.

And that's to try to motivate them to get back into the work force.

There's a lot of job openings, and she's trying to push people back into those jobs.

She says, you know -- what was her line?

The safety net has become a hammock.

Which I'm guessing there's a lot of unemployed people who would not necessarily agree with that.

That their idleness is being rewarded.

>> Joining us in the House crow's nest is what it's called is the house minority leader, a democrat from Windsor heights.

And here to deliver the democratic response, Jennifer, quickly what is that response?

>> Democrats have been laser focused in the weeks leading up to this on making sure the Reynolds work force crisis is truly addressed.

We know there are more jobs out there than people who can fill them, and we know the work force problem is more than just making sure people don't get unemployment.

We think the work force problem needs to be addressed holistically, affordable child care, affordable housing, making sure Iowa is a welcoming state.

All of this matters to democrats and we didn't hear a lot of that from the governor tonight.

>> Was there something that you did hear that surprised you?

>> I was surprised to hear the focus on teachers.

I think it's great that the governor wants to give $1,000 to teachers who stayed in place.

That's wonderful.

It would have been great if she would have also commented on the fact that a person sitting right behind her just yesterday said that teachers have a sinister agenda.

I'm not sure a $1,000 bonus is going to make them feel better or more welcome in the state where they're already exhausted and weary from two years of pandemic teaching and being demonized at the capitol.

>> James?

>> Jennifer, one of the big item on this list was the flat tax.

The governor characterized it as flat and fair.

Is she right?

>> Well, it's certainly flat.

I don't think it's fair.

It's not fair.

Flat taxes are notoriously beneficial to wealthy Americans.

And that would be true in Iowa as well.

I think it's great that Iowans who are in the middle would get a $1,300 reduction in their taxes.

But we didn't hear what's going to happen to the folks at the top.

They're going to get a much more significant cut that's going to be a bigger nut as part of their budget that will help them have more money in their pockets.

And we think the tax cuts need to focus solely on the middle class.

>> Tax cuts are always popular, and a flat tax seems very easy to explain.

Is this a training or a band wagon that democrats either have to get on or get run over?

>> Look, I don't think we need to do anything that was proposed tonight.

There's no band wagon we need to hop on here.

We need to look at the details.

We need to know what this is going to cost, what services will be cut, what the true impact will be on all Iowans.

We're hearing so many things from the House and the Senate, this is far from a dub deal.

>> You're saying there's nothing you heard tonight that democrats need to sign onto?

>> I think there were things we can agree on.

Broadband is an important part of what we do.

I think we can agree child care is important.

We can also agree the American rescue plan is coming from President Joe Biden.

Those are federal dollars coming right back to Iowans because of their leadership.

>> State versus the authority to make changes in unemployment benefits.

Will democrats uniformly oppose the governor's proposal to go from 26 weeks to 16 weeks?

>> Of course we saw that.

We've just heard this tonight.

We didn't see the speech ahead of time, so we haven't chatted as a caucus.

But we do know that the hammock analogy is not one that folks who are trying to find a job or folks that can't get child care so they can't go back to work are really going to feel is very fair.

We also know that even if every person who's unemployed right now in the state of Iowa went back to work, we would still have tens of thousands of open jobs.

So, you can't fix this work force crisis by just hurting people who are trying to find a job in unemployment.

>> Some of your democratic colleagues who were very concerns about the tragic death at the Anamosa State Prison.

Bonuses to keep correctional officers and others employed and on the job.

Is that enough?

ZBLIETS not enough.

Of course it's necessary and it's great.

It's a great start.

But do we have enough staff in our prisons to make sure that people -- tragedies like what happened don't happen again?

Have we upgraded equipment in a way that will allow folks to be able to call each other when there is a crisis?

That was something that went wrong during that tragedy.

I think it's great -- I'm not opposed to these bonuses for teachers and law enforcement officers, of course.

I would also like to see some directed at health care workers who are exhausted.

I think there are a lot of Iowans who could benefit from that.

>> She also discussed fast-track ideas for getting more people into the teaching profession.

Is that something that, I guess, when you see staffing shortages and schools in other places having to close because they don't have enough staff, is that the right answer?

>> I think that, again, this is a complex problem that takes a lot of issues.

You know, a lot of things to fix.

Just addressing, you know, getting more people trained more quickly is great long term.

But what about tomorrow when we have people who are out because of COVID and we have so many gone because the state has not done enough to get us out of this pandemic, when we have teachers who are being demonized every day, when we have teachers who continue to be criticized, it's a lot more than just making sure we have enough trained people in this state.

>> Thank you for joining us up here tonight.

>> My pleasure.

>> This wraps up a first night of programming here on Iowa PBS.

We have plenty more coming up in the days ahead.

It kicks off with tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m., Iowa PBS provides special coverage of the 2022 State of Judiciary speech from chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, Susan Kristenson.

You can watch that online.

Thursday at 10:00, Iowa PBS provides live streaming coverage online of the Condition of the Guard address to the legislature.

Then this week's Iowa press, we sit down in the House chamber with speaker pat Grassley at 7:30 on Friday nights and Sunday at noon.

For everyone here at the Iowa capitol complex for tonight's production, thanks for joining us.

Join us any time at IowaPBS.org.

♪♪ ♪♪ >>> Funding for this program was provided by friends, the Iowa PBS foundation, as well as generations of families and friend who is feel passionate about the programs they watch on Iowa PBS.