The Dickey Dispatch by Senator Adrian Dickey – March 14th, 2025

Happy Friday District 44,

I would like to extend my congratulations to newly elected Representative Blaine Watkins from District 100. Representative Watkins was elected in a special election this week following the passing of Representative Martin Graber who was a GREAT man and Representative. Before taking office, Representative Watkins was a clerk for the past 4 years in the Senate. I’m sure Representative Watkins will do an excellent job representing the people of District 100.
This week, the State Senate engaged in a lot of debate. Senate File 566 creates a study committee regarding the court debt system after the Iowa Judicial Branch’s misallocation of $27.5 MILLION in taxpayer funds. Another GREAT bill that passed the Senate was SF 472, a bill I’ve worked very hard on. SF 472 gives a voice back to employees that work in the public sector who have not had the opportunity to be heard whether they want to have a union or not. Since 2017, many public employers have failed to hold recertification elections as the law states. Opponents of this legislation complain that this bill is only in place to bust a union, when the fact is this legislation has just as much opportunity to form a union as it does to dissolve one! I am not against someone’s choice to join a union. However, I am strongly against the tactics that some of the union brass play in conjunction with some public sector employers that prevent their employees from having that choice, and this bill will restore those rights.

My alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa, was in the Capitol Monday. I had the pleasure of talking to faculty and students from a variety of programs. As a former Panther, it was exciting to see how UNI continues to provide knowledge and skills for the next generation of Iowans.
Wednesday, I met with some administrators from the Jefferson County Hospital in Fairfield. The Jefferson County Hospital continues to do a great job and are constantly evaluating new services to offer residents of Jefferson County.

I wrapped the week up with holding a subcommittee meeting on SF 21. SF 21 provides a property tax exemption (that is optional to grant by each property taxing authority) to aid spouses of firefighters, peace officers, correctional officers, or emergency medical care providers when their spouse is killed in the line of duty while serving their community. Being a volunteer firefighter for 33 years, our communities are greatly protected and helped by these public servants. This bill is the least we can do for their spouses when they are in need.

Thank you and have a beautiful weekend!