A salute to hard working Iowans

Having just celebrated Labor Day 2020, this is a good time to recognize the hard work of so many Iowans.

During a difficult year, Iowans have been asked to do more and they have responded by:

• Pouring into communi-ties to help those hit by storms and flooding

• Working overtime—often in risky situations—at front-line jobs during the pandem-ic

• Using innovative solu-tions to continue providing goods and services to their fellow citizens

• Adjusting how and where they work to limit potentially dangerous circumstances

Let’s look around and thank those who are working hard in what often feels like thankless times. I especially want to salute and thank all who have worked during the pandemic and the derecho to help their neighbors, commu-nity and state get through the upheaval—the nurses, teach-ers, utility workers, factory laborers, first responders and other front-line workers.

In recent years, many Iowa workers have faced hard times. Laws that protected them have been watered down or eliminated, making it hard-er for them to get ahead. This includes overturning laws that brought Iowans better wages, safer working conditions and a stronger economy, and re-placing them with policies and tax benefits that favor big businesses and special inter-ests.

Even before the hardships of 2020, Iowa wages had stagnated; worker benefits had been cut; and income inequal-ity was growing. Many fami-lies have a much harder time making ends meet than they did a few years ago.

For example, a report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows that on average Iowans today must earn $15.46 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment at the state’s fair market rent rate. That’s more than double Iowa’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

Senate Democrats continue to offer solutions. It’s time to put Iowa workers first by re-storing and protecting worker rights, expanding job training and apprenticeship programs, providing paid sick and fami-ly medical leave, paying liv-ing wages, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and investing in child care.

The best “thank you” we can give hard-working Iowans is real opportunities to get ahead.

Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) serves Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Senate District 27. She can be reached at 515-281-3371 or 641-424-0874. Email her at aman-da.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.