Can you donate now to join our fight?
We just launched the Power to Appoint Fund to highlight the important role Dem Govs play to ensure integrity in our country’s judicial process and protect fundamental freedoms. Your support will ensure we can make crucial investments in key states and protect our democracy. Please don’t wait: rush your gift to elect Democratic governors! >>>
As Iowans Set to Receive Billions From ARP, Gov. Kim Reynolds Still Opposes Bipartisan COVID Relief Plan
Today, Agriculture Secretary and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff are scheduled to visit Iowa to celebrate the passage of the American Rescue Plan. As stimulus checks start to hit bank accounts and other forms of relief is doled out to Iowans, Gov. Kim Reynolds still opposes the bill.
Iowans stand to benefit greatly from the bill Gov. Reynolds opposes. Overall, the state is set to receive $2.6 billion – including $803 million in relief to help safely reopen K-12 schools and stimulus checks for 91% of adults and 89% of children, along with more economic relief for small businesses. The Child Tax Credit will provide additional relief to 670,000 children and help lift 25,000 children out of poverty in Iowa.
Unlike new polling about Kim Reynolds, the ARP is extremely popular – 70% percent of Americans support the plan, and 64% of Republicans support the stimulus checks, a key element of the proposal.
In addition to refusing to support the ARP, which includes the resources needed to ensure safe reopening of public schools, Reynolds is in the middle of a major push to dismantle public education by funneling taxpayer money to unaccountable private schools.
The Des Moines Register Editorial Board called out Reynolds for robbing funds from public schools: “The more money the GOP insists on robbing from public schools, the fewer educational options there will be for the 500,000 students who attend them.”
“As Iowans are set to receive much-needed COVID-19 relief, Kim Reynolds still opposes the American Rescue Plan,” said DGA Deputy Communications Director Sam Newton. “Reynolds stands against direct $1,400 checks to Iowans in need, vital help to small businesses, and resources to to speed up vaccinations, along with aid to help safely reopen schools – all this while she’s in the middle of siphoning money away from public schools. It’s no wonder the majority of Iowans don’t want her to run for re-election – Reynolds continues to play partisan politics with the pandemic instead of looking out for Iowa families.”