Politics at its worst. Iowa Democrats call for new spending and then vote against it.
On Tuesday, Iowa House Republicans proposed over 20 million dollars in new funding for the Iowa Department of Corrections. The proposed increase comes after a recent deadly attack that left two prison staffers dead and one hospitalized.
Democrat lawmakers in the House Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee chose to vote against the funding.
This is the biggest budget increase for the Department of Corrections in nine years, according to the Iowa House Republican Caucus. In the fiscal year 2012 budget, the Department of Corrections received $19.3 million in additional funds.
Today at a press conference, Democrats and their union allies took the opportunity to blame the Governor and Legislative Republicans for “underfunding” our prisons.
Happening right now: Iowa lawmakers and advocate calling on @IAGovernor to make change with the @IowaCorrections, following the murder of two prison employees.Speaking now @afscme_c61 President Danny Homan. @iowasnewsnow— David Amelotti (@DavidAmelottiTV) April 6, 2021
Those speaking today want full funding of employees, restoration of collective bargaining, and new training for staff. @iowasnewsnow— David Amelotti (@DavidAmelottiTV) April 6, 2021
While the press conference had no shortage of political posturing, missing was any mention that a majority of Democrats on the Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee refused to support the measure.
In a Radio Iowa article from last week, you can see that Zach Wahls called for bipartisan action in the legislature.
It’s funny (actually tragic) that Democratic leadership called for bipartisan budget action just a few days ago, and when the opportunity presented, they balked.
The Republican Party of Iowa today called the Democrat’s actions “utterly despicable” and desperate.
“Politicizing the death of two Corrections Officers is utterly despicable and a new low for Iowa Democrats,” said Republican Party of Iowa Communications Director Kollin Crompton. “These antics reek of desperation and need for relevancy. Iowa Democrats’ record is clear: they’re so anti-police they will vote against increases in funding for more Corrections Officers and other public safety measures. “
The media seems complicit, with not a single reporter seeming to have any interest in asking a simple question about the Democrats’ blatant hypocrisy.
