Iowa Catholic Conference, April 13, 2025

Last week at the State Capitol

Gov. Kim Reynolds has decided not to seek re-election next year. She said it was time to be more present to her family. The most recent Iowa gubernatorial election without an incumbent candidate occurred in 2006.

The Iowa Catholic Conference spoke in support of HF 965 during a subcommittee hearing. The bill would substantially increase the tax credit available to adoptive parents. The bill was advanced by the subcommittee to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The ICC is again opposing a proposed constitutional amendment, SJR 11, that would require a two-thirds majority of the legislature to approve a tax increase.  The bill passed the legislature last year, and if it passes both chambers this year, it will go to a vote of the people of Iowa.

During the subcommittee hearing, we said that locking a two-thirds requirement into the Constitution would allow a relatively small minority to stop what might be needed legislation. Proposals such as the “heartbeat” abortion ban or starting Education Savings Accounts would not have been approved, for example. In addition, the government’s obligation to protect the common good also necessarily entails funding essential services like education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social safety nets. SJR 11 passed the subcommittee and goes to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

ICC action alerts are here. There was no action last week on the “fetal development video” or human smuggling bills.

In other news, the Legislature wrapped up work on public school funding, which received a 2% increase, or about $127 million. Public schools will receive more than $4.2 billion in state general fund aid next year, not counting local property taxes or federal funding. About $314 million has been allocated for Education Savings Accounts.

All parents with children in an accredited nonpublic school are eligible to apply for an ESA starting this Wednesday, April 16, at 8 a.m.

Check out our Facebook page for several important updates:

• In response to news of a lawsuit against a Catholic hospital, Bishop Joensen affirms Catholic teaching that life begins at conception and ends with a natural death

• Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education’s response to the state auditor’s unfounded comments on private schools

• 14th annual Iowa Religious Freedom Day event at the State Capitol

Federal issues

Please note that the Holy Week fast in support of Catholic Relief Services is underway.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has announced its decision not to renew the cooperative agreements with the federal government related to children’s services and refugee support. From its very founding, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been concerned with helping families who are fleeing war, violence, and oppression find safe and secure homes.

The Religious Workforce Protection Act would help advance the religious exercise of Americans. “We would not be able to serve our diverse flocks, which reflect the rich tapestry of our society overall, without the faithful men and women who come to serve through the Religious Worker Visa Program,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Mark J. Seitz, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, in a letter to Congress last week. The two bishops called on legislators to advance a “much needed source of relief” for communities across the United States by passing the bipartisan, bicameral Religious Workforce Protection Act (RWPA) (S. 1298 and H.R. 2672). Its passage, the bishops asserted, would further the free exercise of religion in our country for the benefit of all Americans.

The bishops of Iowa have sent letters to our members of Congress, urging them to “reject cuts to the vital services provided by Medicaid and SNAP, and to support dignity-affirming access to nutrition and health care for those who need it most.”

Take action on issues of concern to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Resources for Earth Day

The Catholic Climate Covenant has put together resources for the 55th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22) and/or the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si' (Laudato Si' Week is May 24-31, 2025). Here in Iowa, the group formerly known as Iowa Interfaith Power and Light has been renamed as the Iowa Faith and Climate Network. You can check out their resources and assessment of current legislation.

And finally,

We pray you have a blessed Holy Week!