VIDEOS: Iowa Senate debates AEA overhaul bill

The Iowa Senate debated an amended Area Education Agency (AEA) bill on March 18, during which many Democratic legislators focused on the thousands of constituent emails, comments, and testimonies against the governor’s initiative to dismantle how the AEA system currently functions.

Sen. Bill Dotzler (D-Waterloo) specifically called out Iowa Republicans’ repeated dismissal of public opinion, referring to their lawmaking as a “crazy train” with the AEA bill as the most recent addition.

@iowastartingline The Iowa Senate debated an amended AEA bill Monday, during which many Democratic legislators focused on the thousands of constituent emails, comments, and testimonies against the governor’s initiative to dismantle how the AEA system currently functions. Sen. Bill Dotzler (D-Waterloo) specifically called out Iowa Republicans’ repeated dismissal of public opinion, referring to their lawmaking as a “crazy train” with the AEA bill as the most recent addition. #iowa #iowanews #iowalife #publiceducation #publicschool ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

Sen. Sarah Trone-Garriot (D-West Des Moines) said it was obvious that the governor’s original plan in overhauling AEAs was to attack public education, drain its resources, and then blame the system for its faults to further her pursuits of privatization. But what isn’t obvious is why Republican lawmakers won’t advocate for their small and rural districts when they know an AEA overhaul would hurt them the most.

@iowastartingline Sen. Sarah Trone-Garriot (D-West Des Moines) said it was obvious that the governor’s original plan in overhauling AEAs was to attack public education, drain its resources, and then blame the system for its faults to further her pursuits of privatization. But what isn’t obvious is why Republican lawmakers won’t advocate for their small and rural districts when they know an AEA overhaul would hurt them the most. #iowa #iowanews #iowalife #publiceducation #publicschool ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque) criticized Iowa Republicans for prioritizing bills in recent legislative sessions that target low income, LGBTQ+, and now disabled children.

@iowastartingline During a Senate floor debate on the bill to dismantle AEAs, Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque) criticized Iowa Republicans for prioritizing bills in recent legislative sessions that target low income, LGBTQ+, and now disabled children. #iowa #iowanews #iowalife #publicschool #publiceducation ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line

Sen. Lynn Evans (R-Aurelia) introduced an amendment to the bill that would ensure access to AEA services for private schools regardless if public school districts opt for the services or not, which Sen. Molly Donahue (D-Cedar Rapids) called a “slap in the face” for public schools and their stakeholders.

@iowastartingline Sen. Lynn Evans (R-Aurelia) introduced an amendment to the AEA overhaul bill that would ensure access to AEA services for private schools regardless if public school districts opt for the services or not, which Sen. Molly Donahue (D-Cedar Rapids) called a “slap in the face” for public schools and their stakeholders. #iowa #iowalife #iowanews #education #specialeducation #publicschool #publiceducation ♬ original sound – Iowa Starting Line