Statehouse News

By: 
Andy McKean
Iowa State Representative, 58th Dist.

Thank You Iowa Essential Workers 

     This Labor Day, Iowans across the state thanked essential workers — including nurses, teachers, utility workers, factory laborers, first responders, and other front-line workers that have been risking their lives, spending long hours keeping the state healthy and safe. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their countless sacrifices.

     During this difficult year, Iowans continue to be resilient, offering help to their friends, family, and neighbors. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the derecho that ripped through the state, communities have seen people step up to support one another, whether it’s delivering meals, cleaning up trees, caring for those in our long-term care facilities and hospitals, preparing lunches for those affected by the disaster, making masks for hospitals and neighbors, or working overtime to repair electrical lines. 

     House Democrats are dedicated to supporting Iowa’s essential workers by expanding protections and worker compensation during a pandemic, while providing financial security for businesses and workers with COVID positive cases. 

Show You Care, Wear a Mask

     With Iowa’s coronavirus cases increasing at the highest rate in the nation, the best mitigation effort to control the spread is to wear a face covering or mask in public and social distance. The White House Coronavirus Task Force has asked Governor Reynolds to take steeper mitigation efforts; the Governor has yet to take the advice from public health officials. 

New COVID Tracking System for Iowa Schools

     It was announced that over 100 Iowa schools have reported cases of COVID-19, with some placing whole grades under quarantine. 

     Schools are stressed to maintain an education workforce and keep their populations safe. With lack of data from the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa State Education Association has developed their own self-reporting tracking system (https://iowacovid19tracker.org/covid-19-in-our-schools/). Although voluntary, it at least provides a look at the virus effects on schools, and a tool for parents to check.

Iowa DOT Now Appointment Only Permanently

     Iowans needing to conduct in-person business with the DOT will need to continue to schedule an appointment going forward. The DOT originally moved to appointment-only visits following the outbreak of COVID-19, and has received positive feedback from Iowans regarding the speed and ease of the new process. Iowans who qualify can also renew their licenses online, as well as request a six-month extension if their license expires in the next 90 days or has been expired for fewer than 60 days. The wait time for an appointment currently averages three to four weeks, although the Iowa DOT is working on adding additional appointment times.

     To see options available visit the Iowa DOT’s website (https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/service-selector).

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