Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(116,773 posts)
Fri Jul 21, 2017, 09:56 PM Jul 2017

Iowa Senate GOP's incompetence failed taxpayers

What can you do with $2.2 million in state government?

This year, the Iowa Legislature could have used the money to maintain support for children who need hearing aids and nutritional supplements for people with rare eating disorders. It could have avoided cutting support for Iowans with epilepsy and autism and blindness. It could have maintained full funding for melanoma research at the University of Iowa Hospitals.

Lawmakers could have done all of those things and still had money left over to fund the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State and maintain support for the Iowa Flood Center or the state’s early childhood literacy program.

There’s so much lawmakers could have done with $2.2 million that would help real Iowans deal with serious disabilities, improve the environment or avoid the next disastrous flood. Instead, taxpayers will spend that money to pay for the reprehensible and unforgivably stupid behavior of a few employees of the Senate Republican caucus.

In case you haven’t heard, a jury in Polk County awarded $2.2 million to Kirsten Anderson, the former Senate Republican communications director. Her lawsuit alleged she was fired in May 2013 in retaliation for complaining about sexual harassment and a toxic work environment. The state argued she was fired for poor work performance. Seven hours before her firing, she presented a list of harassment complaints to her supervisor.

Read more: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/kathie-obradovich/2017/07/19/harassment-lawsuit-reveals-iowa-senate-gops-incompetence/492522001/

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Iowa Senate GOP's incompetence failed taxpayers (Original Post) TexasTowelie Jul 2017 OP
I guess that's what a majority voted for onecaliberal Jul 2017 #1
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Iowa»Iowa Senate GOP's incompe...