Iowans are speaking out following Kim Reynolds’ Condition of the State address. Communities across the state stepped up to share the real stories of how critical services, schools, and businesses have been hurt by Governor Reynolds and her messed up priorities that put partisanship and special interests ahead of Iowa.

The Iowa Democratic Party gave these Iowans a platform with our “Iowa Deserves Better Tour,” with stops in Mason City, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Grinnell.

“The Governor painted a rosy picture of the state in her address, but Iowans aren’t buying it. Things might be going great for the governor and her political allies, but out in our communities, Iowans are feeling the squeeze,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price.

“Despite low unemployment numbers, families are still struggling to put food on the table. Low wages are driving people to have to work two to three jobs just to make ends meet. Mental health patients, even extreme cases, are being denied care because Iowa doesn’t have the resources to treat them. Teachers and schools are helping kids through the impact of these failures while being consistently underfunded. Iowa deserves a leader who will take a serious look at quality of life in our state, instead of glossing it over with political rhetoric.”

Coverage of the tour below:

KIMT: “IOWA DESERVES BETTER” TOUR STOPS IN MASON CITY
”I was horrified when I saw the list of cuts,” said Tracy Smith of Clear Lake. “We don’t want to go the direction of Kansas and it looks like that is exactly where we are going.”

MASON CITY GLOBE GAZETTE: North Iowa Democrats find fault with governor’s proposed budget
North Iowa Democrats got together Wednesday to assess Gov. Kim Reynolds’ state-of-the-state address — and they were not impressed.

“Local Iowans are standing up in opposition to Gov. Reynolds’ devastating policies and misplaced priorities,” said Troy Price, state party chairman. He led a discussion involving 10 of the party faithful at Borealis Station on East State Street.

Most of the concerns were about the Republican governor’s proposed budget cuts, particularly in education and in Department of Human Services funding.

KGLO: Democrat Chair And Governor Each Make Their Cases In Mason City
One of the main topics discussed by the group was water quality. Price says it’s a critical issue that needs to be addressed by the legislature right away. He says, “Democrats have been championing water quality for years and we’re going to continue to fight for it. We hope the Republicans will work with us on it, but we want to make sure that whatever is proposed is a serious solution that’s going to actually impact and clean up our water, and not just kind of paper over the problem. There needs to be serious and real solutions on that.”

CEDAR RAPIDS GAZETTE: Democrats say Reynolds’ rhetoric doesn’t reflect ‘reality on the ground’
Price and local Democrats raised warning flags on the governor’s plans for K-12 education, Medicaid managed care and a host of issues.

“When I see what’s happening, it makes me angry,” said Cindy Garlock, who taught in Cedar Rapids public schools for 33 years. Reynolds is continuing to starve public education by proposing only a 1.5 percent, or $54 million, increase in state aid to Iowa’s schools, she said.

KCRG: Reynolds reinforces 2018 goals while Democrats rally outside
Iowa GOP Governor Kim Reynolds just started her first full year in office, but already she’s facing pressure to keep the job.

DUBUQUE TELEGRAPH HERALD: In Dubuque, Reynolds shares priorities with business leaders, while protesters gather nearby
Dubuque County Democratic Party Chairman Steve Drahozal said, “Iowans deserve better,” noting the need for adequate funding for schools and a higher minimum wage. He said Reynolds’ leadership has harmed the working class, attacked reproductive and workers’ rights and cut health care services for vulnerable Iowans who rely on Medicaid.