Latest news with #Dunwell
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Governor's mansion' won't be studied, but legislators have input on residence
A postcard of the Montana's Governor Mansion which was built in 1959 and is located at 2 Carson Street in Helena. Should the 'governor's mansion' be converted into a roller rink? What about a dorm for legislators with children? Those were a couple of ideas legislators brought up in the Senate on Monday before the body voted 23-27 against Senate Joint Resolution 45, which called for a study to determine a use for the vacant executive residence. Historically, the governors of Montana have resided in the 'governor's mansion,' a 12,000 square foot home at 2 N. Carson St. that's part of the Capitol Complex. But Gov. Greg Gianforte has his own residence in Helena, the official executive residence has been vacant for at least three years, and it's in disrepair, according to reports to legislative committees. In 2019 and 2021, the Montana Legislature appropriated a total $2.3 million for upgrades, but bids for upgrades came in higher, as much as $3.6 million instead, according to state officials. In the meantime, resolution sponsor Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, said maintenance is costing taxpayers $100,000 a year, and it's time for a plan. Legislators have said interest in the property is high, at least among the citizens of Helena and some history lovers. 'We have, as you recall, $2.3 million sitting in an account that's not being used to renovate, in some way, this building,' Dunwell said. In a separate bill that didn't pass earlier this session, Dunwell had suggested the residence be used as a rental for legislative staff, with priority for those with disabilities. At the time, at least one member of the Senate State Administration Committee suggested a study might be in order instead. On the floor Monday, Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, said it's clear the building just needs to be torn down, and he shared one idea to save maintenance money. 'I'll do the maintenance for $50,000 a year,' Hertz said. Sen. Jacinda Morigeau, D-Arlee, reminded the Senate of another related plan. In January 2024, the Governor's Office said Gov. Greg Gianforte and Susan Gianforte bought the historic Hauser Mansion in Helena, and they plan to donate it to the state 'following my service.' But Morigeau said legislators can help the governor decide what to do with the Carson Street mansion, and she encouraged senators to vote yes on the study. 'I want to see it turned into – I don't know – a roller rink?' Morigeau said. Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, said he thought a dorm for legislators would be great, and he'd call dibs on a room. Although the Senate opposed the study, Sen. Wendy McKamey, R-Great Falls, said the Capitol Complex Advisory Council already meets about the area, the group includes legislators, and the question doesn't require an entire study. 'It's not like the legislature does not have a voice in this. We do,' McKamey said. However, in committee earlier this month, McKamey also noted the history contained in the house. She mentioned some 'two dozen hand needle-pointed chairs,' which she said need to be preserved. Dunwell said she had been advised the chairs were in storage. In the hearing about the resolution, the Senate State Administration Committee heard the cost of getting the residence in shape — between $3.2 million and $3.6 million. Director Misty Ann Giles had offered a piece of advice for anyone walking around in the unoccupied 'governor's mansion' owned by the state. 'If you do go over there, please don't take off your shoes,' said Giles, head of the Department of Administration. The carpet is from the 1950s, the plumbing is shot, the kitchen is 'barely functional,' it needs $180,000 worth of asbestos abatement, and the committee learned more about the general 'disarray' at the hearing. In response, Sen. Bob Phalen, R-Lindsay, had a question of his own to state officials. 'So how much would you take for it?' Phalen asked.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Under-the-radar bill floats toward the top of property tax discussion
Photo illustration by Getty Images. House Bill 528 has flown under the radar, Rep. Ed Byrne said on Thursday. The Bigfork legislator's bill isn't that way anymore and has become a property tax option for the Montana Legislature. 'It was beautiful, because nobody in the House knew it was coming, except the coalitions we built around it,' Byrne said in an interview with the Daily Montanan. 'So the support I had throughout the whole thing, building at this for two months to get the votes.' HB 528 drops agricultural land to a property tax rate of 1.7% from 2.61%, while residential properties less than $1.5 million would be taxed at 0.76%, currently at 1.35%. Residential property at more than $1.5 million would be taxed at 1.35% and commercial property in Class 4 would be taxed at 1.35%. Currently, residential property more than $1.5 million and commercial property in Class 4 are taxed at 1.89%. Two major property tax bills — House Bill 231 and House Bill 154 — were tabled in the Senate Taxation Committee on Wednesday as debate continues on a fix for homeowners across the state. HB 528 has bipartisan support, and Byrne, a Republican, worked with Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, on the legislation. It passed 12-11 out of the appropriations committee on Tuesday. It previously passed the House on a 88-9 vote on March 21. Byrne's bill adjusts property tax rates on agricultural, residential and 'Main Street' commercial properties, Dunwell said. It's similar to SB 189, which was brought by Dunwell and tabled in the Senate Taxation Committee on April 1. The hope was that either Byrne's or Dunwell's bill would gain traction in the Legislature. 'And at the end, if it's not the vehicle, which it very well may not be, at least the meat of it would be in there, because our bills were simple, no complications,' Dunwell said. Dunwell also said their bills could be implemented immediately, giving Montanans access to property tax relief sooner. Byrne stressed the bipartisan nature of the legislation, noting how he watched then-speaker Sen. Matt Reiger, a Republican, work with Democrats, Rep. Mary Caferro and then minority leader Kim Abbott, last session, as they worked on problems they had with the Governor's budget. 'When you can work bipartisan on the budget issues, you still don't agree on the social, moral issues, you've got to put all that aside,' Byrne said. 'It's not personal, and you come in to fix what's right on fiscal and taxes. And our biggest mandate here was taxes.' HB 231, brought by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, would have shifted some of the tax burden onto those who are not residents of the state, but own property in Montana. Jones called HB 528 the 'preferred bill for implementing tax cuts' in an email to lobbyists on March 28. The bill also ran into trouble in Billings and Sunburst. During the bill's Senate hearing, Billings officials said HB 231 would shrink the tax base by about 12%. Sunburst and Billings have a unique charter, which has specific stipulations around how many mills they can levy without voter approval. Leaders there say they would have to go back to voters in their towns to raise taxes for critical services, like police and fire. HB 231 was supported by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, and the legislation came to be known as the 'Homestead bill.' Gianforte said he was disappointed in the tabling of the legislation, 'the fairest approach,' during a Thursday press conference. 'It's not over till it's over, but we collectively, including myself and the legislature, we can't leave here without implementing permanent property tax relief for the people of Montana,' Gianforte said. HB 154, brought by Rep. Jonathan Karlen, D-Missoula, was a tax credit seeking to give direct help to renters and middle class property tax payers. HB 231 and HB 154 were both tabled. 'So, of course, it's disappointing, but tabling a bill is not permanent,' Karlen said. 'We take bills off the table all the time. We can blast bills in the Senate. So by no means I view it as the end of the line.' Republicans have also brought a steady flow of rebate bills. Those aren't the whole answer, Karlen said. 'My take on a rebate is that it's like putting a band aid on a very deep wound that needs surgery,' Karlen said. 'And so I think that any place for rebates should be to augment structural tax reform.' Senate Bill 90, brought by Sen. Carl Glimm, R-Kila, sought to use lodging and rental car tax revenues to provide relief, but was tabled in the House Taxation Committee on Thursday morning. Other property tax bills have also been discussed. Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, has SB 117, which puts limits on what government property tax increases local municipalities can do and changes the inflation limitation for calculating property tax levies. Both bills were cited by Senate President Matt Reiger as part of the solution for property tax relief. However, Reiger also said two bills from Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson — SB 204 and SB 205 — would have completed the needed fix. SB 204 failed on a third reading in the Senate and SB 205 was indefinitely postponed. 'It was always going to be difficult, because anything that we do in Montana is just shifting taxes from one taxpayer to another,' Hertz said to the Daily Montanan. 'And that's a very difficult thing for anybody to raise somebody else's taxes.'
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jasper County legislators say there are way too many bills filed this session
Mar. 25—Editor's note: This is the third in a series of articles covering the topics discussed at legislative gatherings hosted by the League of Women Voters of Jasper County. Sen. Ken Rozenboom said there have been way too many bills filed this session, and hardly any of them are good ideas. "There are over 900 House Files, nearly 1,000," Rozenboom said during a recent legislative gathering hosted at the Newton Public Library by the League of Women Voters of Jasper County. "There are over 600 Senate Files. And then there are study bills. And there aren't that many good ideas, let me to you." He said this again when he and his fellow lawmakers, Rep. Barb Kniff McCulla and Rep. Jon Dunwell, were questioned about a bill letting homeschools charge tuition and possibly be eligible for education savings accounts. He said it once more when they were asked about a bill penalizing use of genetic-based vaccine. Rozenboom admitted at the time he did not know much about House File 888, which would loosen restrictions on homeschooling and let parents teach other children and even charge tuition. Kim Didier, of Newton, suggested this bill could allow homeschools to eventually apply for ESAs. In order to apply and participate in the ESA program, students must be enrolled in an accredited nonpublic schools. But homeschools do not need accreditation. "I'll harken back to what I said a few moments ago: I don't think there are that many good ideas, and this may be one of them," Rozenboom said. "A lot of bills get filed for different reasons. Not all of them are for good reasons. Some of them are making a statement. Some of them are, whatever, somebody's pet project." However, he said, that is the purpose of the House and the Senate, as well as the first funnel week — which concluded March 7 — to vet all kinds of bills. Even though Dunwell agrees there are too many bills filed this session, he clarified that House File 888 has nothing to do with ESAs. In a follow up after the gathering, Dunwell even suggested the bill has a greater chance of not making it to the House floor for debate and a vote. It may not be ready for primetime. Dunwell also added there is no movement in the Iowa House to ever give, at this point, a homeschool student an ESA. He told the audience at the legislative gathering that homeschool parents "would absolutely cry murder" if the Iowa Legislature tried to give them ESAs. Dunwell said they don't want it. "They don't want it because they want to have some of their freedom," Dunwell said. "What that bill does is sometimes homeschool parents want to have a little bit better education, say, on some topics for their kids; so they're going to bring a teacher in to endorse that, to teach them more complicated topics." The bill would allow them to do what is already being done, Dunwell said. There is no law against it, but there is not a law for it. But he stressed there is not a movement in that bill to give ESAs to homeschools. Dunwell said it would be too complicated to track accountability; whereas private schools have accreditation. "Accreditation means something," Dunwell said. "It's about governance. It's about finances. It's about audits. It's about all those things beyond education that are there, and that would be a lot of responsibility to place upon a parent. We're trying to find out is that a legitimate expense or not a legitimate expense." Stacy Simbro, a member of the Newton City Council, raised the issues surrounding Senate File 360, the bill that would fine healthcare workers for administering genetic-based vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. Dunwell, Kniff McCulla and Rozenboom were very quick to point out that bill had died. "That's gone," Rozenboom said. "That's going nowhere. That was one of those bills that, frankly, should never have been filed, in my opinion. It had come out of subcommittee. It never got a hearing in full committee ... And I had a talk with the person that filed it. I won't tell you what that conversation was." Dunwell added the House killed it. Simbro was happy to hear the bill had died and hoped it would never come up again. In a followup with Newton News, Dunwell said everything is a greater vetting process. Ideas can develop with a subcommittee of around three or so people then move on to a larger committee of 20 or more. Even if a bill makes it through committee, Dunwell said there may be additional work that can be done. Lawmakers may also meet in caucuses to discuss topics and concerns. Dunwell said these meetings, too, are an extension of the review process. "Everything goes through multiple vetting processes, and what happens is some make their way through and some don't, some get adapted and changed," he said. "The final position that even a legislator has on a bill, even ones you author, isn't until you actually vote on the House floor."
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Montana ‘governor's mansion' should be used by state, not remain empty, bill sponsor says
A postcard of the Montana's Governor Mansion which was built in 1959 and is located at 2 Carson Street in Helena. If a Montana governor chooses not to live in the 'governor's mansion' owned by the state, Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, believes it should be used by others that term, such as legislative workers with disabilities. Dunwell presented a bill this week to create a policy for how the 12,000-square-foot house at 2 Carson Street is used if a governor opts to live in his own home, as Gov. Greg Gianforte does. Dunwell said she was open to amendments on her bill, which would make the residence available for rent by temporary employees of the Legislature during the interim and legislative sessions, with preference to those with disabilities. Generally, Dunwell said, her interest is in not having the building vacant, as it has been for at least three years. Proponents of Senate Bill 496, including a beloved former Senate staff member who uses a wheelchair, said the space shouldn't sit empty given its potential, and state buildings shouldn't be wasted resources. 'It just baffles my mind, actually, that we would have a substantial, very nice residence that's not being used and sitting empty without plans as to what is supposed to happen to it,' said Ann Brodsky, a Helena resident in support of the bill. But the house, however the state wants to use it, will require a lot of work, said Stephen Baiamonte, with the General Services Division of the Department of Administration. He described it as being in 'a tremendous state of disrepair,' and even sitting empty, he said it's costing the state an estimated $100,000 a year. In 2019 and 2021, the Legislature appropriated $2.3 million for upgrades to the house, built in 1959, Dunwell said. But earlier bids came in at more than $1 million over budget, and the project stalled, according to earlier reporting by the Daily Montanan. Dunwell told the committee she had met with Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles, who said said she would ask her engineering team to come up with some options to use the building and present them to the Legislature. 'I have not heard that that's been done,' Dunwell said. The Department of Administration did not respond Tuesday to questions about the status of the request to engineers or options for the Legislature to consider by press time. The longer the wait, the less that $2.3 million is worth, Dunwell said, and in the meantime, she argued a use policy is sensible because three years have gone by without a plan for the house. 'In my opinion, senators, it's a waste,' Dunwell said. 'It's an inefficiency in government. And it's up to us to make sure we do away with some of that waste and inefficiency.' She said the property would work well for people who have disabilities because it has a lot of parking and plenty of space for people to handle medical equipment or navigate with wheelchairs. Charles McKay, the CEO of Aspen Adult Services, agreed. McKay said when President Donald Trump took office and pointed out federal buildings weren't fully occupied, many civilians found it 'egregious.' McKay said unused space still needs to be heated and maintained. 'The idea that that is happening in the city here, not two blocks over this way, is just really interesting to me,' McKay said. McKay said his organization serves more than 100 disabled adults, and it houses 35 staff in office space that totals less than 6,000 square feet, half of the executive residence. He said the structure could accommodate six residents. 'As a representative for the disabled in Helena, I really would like you to consider utilizing that space to take care of the people who really do need it,' McKay said. Jack Racicot, who worked as a Senate committee staff member and uses a wheelchair, said he had to commute last session from Whitehall to the Capitol because he couldn't find suitable options for accessible rentals in Helena. 'Meanwhile, the governor's residence sat vacant, an underutilized asset that could be put to far better use,' Racicot said. He said the bill is 'a commonsense solution.' 'If the governor isn't living in the executive residence, why not use it as short-term housing for legislative employees?' Racicot said. 'Its proximity to the Capitol makes it for an ideal location, and instead of letting a valuable state property sit empty, this bill ensures it benefits both taxpayers and those who serve our great state.' SB 496 states the Department of Administration, in consultation with the Legislative Services Division, shall adopt rules to set the occupancy limits, rental fees, and other details to implement the bill. Sen. Denise Hayman, D-Bozeman, wanted to know if the building was even safe, and Baiamonte, with General Services Division, said getting the house up to snuff again would take time and money. He said it needs a new electrical system, roofing, plumbing, potentially work on ADA compliance, and repairs to a failing front porch. In response to a question from Sen. Jacinda Morigeau, D-Arlee, Baiamonte said mothballing the structure would cost less than the estimated $100,000 the state spends now. However, he said the state of Montana wants to be a 'good neighbor,' so it maintains the grounds and ensures the casual observer can't tell it's vacant. He also said it would be expensive to take down. Morigeau also requested the bill's fiscal note, but it hadn't been posted with the bill at the time of the hearing. It was not yet posted by early Tuesday afternoon. In response to a question, Brodsky said Gianforte owns a couple of mansions in Helena, including one he said he would donate, but she didn't know if any contracts had been drawn up for such a donation. In January 2024, the Governor's Office announced the Gianfortes had purchased the historic Hauser Mansion and planned to donate it to the state 'following my service.' Gianforte won re-election in November 2024, and his second term runs through the end of 2028. Chairing the meeting, Sen. Wendy McKamey, R-Great Falls, wanted to confirm there had been no discussions to date about any contracts about building exchanges or donations. Baiamonte said he didn't know the status of any donation, and no plan was in the works for the official executive residence. 'We don't have any plan right now for the residence until we see what happens in the session,' Baiamonte said. McKamey also wanted to know how long it would take to get the building into shape, and Baiamonte estimated it would take about two years, but it would depend on the scope of work. The only opponent of the bill, Mickie Imberi, said it was a bad idea because it raised questions about who would process applications, do maintenance, and manage the property. 'It doesn't sound like it's a good idea from a landlord's point of view,' Imberi said. Sen. Janet Ellis, D-Helena, suggested a study bill might be in order given all the interest, and McKamey said it was a good idea, but the timeline might be too tight for the current session. 'But one thing I really do value is that that building be used,' McKamey said. '… I think it's a real shame that it isn't used. It's not simply because it's a large area, but because it's the CEO's residence that needs to be occupied. When residences are not occupied, they just deteriorate.' Committee members asked many questions about the proposal Monday but did not take immediate action on the bill.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Despite pleas from constituents, Dunwell votes in favor of removing gender identity from civil rights code
Mar. 4—Even though every person who tuned into Rep. Jon Dunwell's listening session last week was against the bill removing civil rights protections from transgender Iowans, and even though they pleaded with the Republican lawmaker to vote against it, he sided with the majority to pass it and send it to the governor's office. The Iowa House on Feb. 27 voted 60-36 to pass the bill that removes gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Earlier that same day the Iowa Senate voted 33-15 to pass the bill. All three of the lawmakers representing Jasper County communities voted in favor. Before the Iowa Legislature put the bill to a vote, Dunwell hosted a Feb. 25 Zoom meeting with constituents of District 38 to discuss the bill. All of the speakers who shared their opinions were adamantly against the bill. Michelle Smith, of Mingo, said changing civil rights code in Iowa is a very slippery slope. "My son's best friend is very nervous she would lose her job just because they can, maybe they don't like the fact that she's transgender," Smith said. Others called the legislation "harmful" and "downright mean and hateful" and that it would take away human rights from transgender Iowans, despite claims from Republicans — which have overwhelmingly supported the bill — that it will not do so. Listening session participants also predicted more discrimination will follow. Whether or not the discrimination is widespread, participants said any kind of discrimination is "not acceptable." One constituent was surprised the bill made it through committee and that Dunwell was a supporter of it. Brad Magg, who ran against Dunwell in the 2024 election, questioned what the bill accomplishes. Dunwell said when something is included in a state's civil rights code it provides enhanced protections, and in many ways those protections work well when it comes to housing and employment. Dunwell argued most of these protections are covered by federal law or other laws already. "Where it gets to be challenging is in the situations we've seen with sports. Where it gets challenging is some of these things in terms of locker rooms," he said. "...The rights of young women become subordinate to the right of the transgender who may come into a bathroom and create a sense of discomfort." Dunwell said some laws passed with "overwhelming support from Iowans" like protecting girls sports or the bathroom bill have become the subject of lawsuits. "Remember, this bill is not taking away rights," Dunwell said. "It's taking away enhanced protections that are covered in the civil rights code. Every American has the same rights, the equal rights, and the ability to live their lives freely. This isn't a bill that says you can't have a surgery or transition after the age of 18." The lawmaker added the bill doesn't stop people from identifying as they want to identify, nor does it "outlaw any behavior in terms of it." Magg said Republican Rep. Brian Lohse, of Bondurant, disputes the claims that federal protections are in place for transgender Americans. Dunwell said Lohse is entitled to his opinion and that the issue of employment is totally covered by federal law. Housing does not apply automatically across the board. "The problem is when you put (gender identity) in the civil rights code, it gives de facto enhanced rights to one group over another, and that is the issue," Dunwell said. Following the vote, Dunwell posted an infographic from Iowa House Republicans on his Twitter/X page that reasoned the changes under House File 583 prevents biological males from using public bathrooms, dressing rooms and showers designated for women. The graphic goes on to say other freedoms remain intact. Freedoms such as speech, religion, assembly and protest, and the right to the petition the government and to bear arms. The graphic lists a bevy of freedoms and rights afforded through the Constitution, as well as protection from bullying in school and assault and other criminal or tortious behavior. But the bill does not let Iowans to access prison cells, homeless shelters, hotel rooms and other spaces designated for the opposite sex. It also prevents hormones and sex reassignment surgeries from being paid for by taxpayers. The graphic also says 27 states don't include gender identity in their civil rights code. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social interpreting the legislation as a way to remove "radical gender ideology" from Iowa's laws. THE ISSUE IS VERY PERSONAL FOR PEOPLE Danica Wilson, a resident of Newton whose wife and child are transgender, argued in the listening session that the bill does not lift transgender Iowans above anyone else. Wilson also pointed out that gender identity and sexuality was introduced in the civil rights code in 2007. Wilson does not believe the state has gone so far in 18 years to remove these protections. "No one is looking to remove protections from Americans with disabilities. No one is looking to remove protections from Black Americans or Americans of color or indigenous Americans," Wilson said. "Probably someone wants that. But not here. Not in Iowa. We enacted this in 2007 for a reason." Without these codes, Wilson argued discrimination against transgender people — "which is already extremely high" — will become legal. "Extra protections to a class like disabled Americans, people of color, queer Americans, queer Iowans does not give them a higher standing," she said. "It gives them an equal ground. If we take that equal ground away we will become lower class citizens. And that's unfair. Please listen to all of your constituents." Wilson questioned if Dunwell would support removing Iowans with disabilities or Black Iowans from the civil code. Dunwell said he would not support it at this time. But Wilson urged it was the same law. Dunwell disagreed and said there are differences and that no one is taking rights away from anyone. "The reality is your child has a right to identify how they like to identify, you have the right to identify as you want, you have the right to live your life how you want to live your life," Dunwell said. "We all live within laws, but the reality is this bill is not about taking away those rights." Dunwell acknowledged to listening session participants that every American has equal rights that need to be respected, and he said he is more than willing to look at examples or areas of discrimination and fixing them. But he said fixing these issues may not be through the civil rights code but through legislation. "That's exactly what we do every day up here," Dunwell said. LISTENING SESSION PARTICIPANTS WANT A NO VOTE Before Dunwell finished his listening session, he told constituents he will always be an advocate to get rid of agendas that sometimes creep into schools. But at the same time he stressed that schools cannot be valueless. One thing Dunwell said he has continually told members of his party is: "I'm all in favor of getting rid of agendas, but I'm not in favor of replacing it with your agenda," he said. "So we have to be careful about that. The values we have here in America are some of the values we're talking about here. We're talking about diversity. That is an American concept that's part of our Constitution." Teaching that value at schools and valuing diversity and respecting diversity is "absolutely important," Dunwell added. He agreed with Wilson that what the Constitution tries to do is balance rights. He also hoped the complaints that the bill will bring more discrimination and acts of hatred towards transgender Iowans don't come true. "If you hope this doesn't happen, vote no on the bill and then it really won't happen," Wilson said. "...I don't think a single one in this meeting who actually cares came here to say that you should vote for it. Every single of us who spoke said no. Your constituents are telling you what we want." Dunwell said, "You're not all my constituents. You're part of it and that's why I'm listening and having a conversation." Regardless, Wilson pleaded with Dunwell to "please vote no" on the bill. Dunwell later told Newton News he voted for HF 583 because Iowans continue to ask for common sense solutions. To him, leaving gender identity in the civil rights code infringes upon the rights of other Iowans, specifically women when it comes to bathrooms, locker rooms, sports and privacy. He also argued it stands in the way of Iowan's implementing common sense policies. Whether it was the incident at Pella Aquatic Center or the Forest City YMCA choosing to close men's and women's locker rooms, Dunwell said there is fear in violating the state's civil rights code. If gender identity was still in the civil rights code, Dunwell said it puts past legislation at risk, such as the bathroom bill and prohibiting gender affirming surgeries for minors. Dunwell said it also puts Iowans on the hook to pay for someone else's gender affirming care. "Every Iowan deserves to have their human rights protected, and to be treated with dignity and respect," Dunwell said. "Currently, Iowa Code with gender identity as a protected class falls short."
