State Representative Tracy Ehlert

State Representative Tracy Ehlert Tracy Ehlert (D) has served three terms in the Iowa State Legislature. (Originally House District 70 which changed to HD79 during her 3rd term)

Tracy Ehlert (D) is serving her 4th term in the Iowa House. Representing part of the west side of Cedar Rapids in what is now House District 79 (previously House District 70).

As we near Labor Day it’s always a day I remember spending with my family when I was younger. We’d attend the Labor Day ...
09/07/2026

As we near Labor Day it’s always a day I remember spending with my family when I was younger. We’d attend the Labor Day picnic and support my dad and grandpa and other local Union workers. When I had kids they started attending as well. Today I randomly came across some old labor/union pics of my boys (a couple from the Labor Day picnic 13yrs ago and a fun Union poster my oldest son was in from around 20yrs ago). Tomorrow my family will attend another Labor Day picnic and continue the tradition of creating memories and celebrating our Union brothers and sisters.

Across the early childhood education field, child care educators are navigating sustained challenges that threaten the s...
09/06/2026

Across the early childhood education field, child care educators are navigating sustained challenges that threaten the stability of the workforce and the accessibility of high quality care for young children and families. In recent months, both the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) have surveyed early childhood educators to better understand the realities shaping their work and the conditions affecting child care programs across settings.

A new NAEYC and NAFCC research brief explores the unique strengths and challenges facing home-based childcare educators. Drawing on workforce survey data, the brief highlights the pressures of low compensation, rising costs, enrollment instability, subsidy disruptions, and administrative burdens—and offers policy recommendations to strengthen and sustain family childcare programs.

You can read it at:

https://mcusercontent.com/469f60d9f6e5c61cf61150391/files/62d9fab1-c288-306b-a343-a290a12c686f/unique_strengths_and_unique_strains_exploring_workforce_survey_data_on_home_based_child_care.pdf?fbclid=IwZnRzaAUKmL1wZG9mAWZkaWQWUN7TDir7SyYIVTq-ptBabWwkW7GKGmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7d8daC7pqKi-EcC3LmAXoSIJwXRswHVqLxg5l3sXTg9fpMvys4P5ltoti5lg_aem_rHHEBKqjXAFtGu1mVKxoxg

Iowa House Labor and Workforce Committee Update:Union Elections and Activities-On Sept 16, 70 employees at Wellman in Cr...
09/06/2026

Iowa House Labor and Workforce Committee Update:

Union Elections and Activities
-On Sept 16, 70 employees at Wellman in Creston will vote whether to join the Machinists Union.

-Workers at Novolex in Cedar Rapids, represented by the UAW, went on strike in late July.

-Workers represented by the UAW rejected a contract extension offer by John Deere: https://uaw.org/uaw-deere-members-reject-contract-extension-offer/
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WARN Notices
The Following Lay Offs Took Place in August:

-Iowa Department of Management (Des Moines): 192 employees
-Independence Premium Foods (Independence ) : 46employees
-Plastic Products (West Branch): 77 employees
-Verschoor Meats (Sioux City): 42 employees
-Wells Fargo (West Des Moines) 43 employees
-BrandFX (Swea City): 56 employes
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Data Centers

Article on the Data Center Boom in Des Moines: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2026/09/01/data-center-des-moines-jobs-boom/90906710007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=undefined&gca-ft=0&gca-ds=sophi

Data Center Studies
by NYU and the Technology Association of Iowa
https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/inside-urban-machine-where-americas-data-centers-actually-live

https://www.decision-innovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/260112-FINAL-Brown-Winick-EIS-of-Data-Centers-in-Iowa-1.pdf
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Labor Appreciation Month

September is Labor Appreciation Month. Labor Unions fight for working families every day. By adding your name, organization, union, and/or business you will be calling for the recognition of September as Labor Union Appreciation Month. Add your name at: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/recognize-labor-union-appreciation-month
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Iowa Economy
The LSA published their economic trends which include:

The Iowa DOR Leading Indicators Index:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/IET/615810.pdf

Increases in negative indicators from 2 in May to 4 in June (Residential Building Permits, National Yield, Disel Fuel Consumption, and Ag Futures)

House Price Index:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/IET/615796.pdf

Iowa Housing Permits:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/IET/615795.pdf

Household Employment Survey: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/IET/615807.pdf

Non Farm Employment: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/IET/615763.pdf

Employment-Population Rato:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/IET/615794.pdf

Unemployment Claims:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/IET/615752.pdf
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Iowa Workforce Development
The IWD Workforce Development Board meeting was on Sept 3, the meeting packet can be found here: https://swdb.iowa.gov/media/12193/download?inline

09/06/2026

The Univeristy of Iowa College of Education has recently established a Student Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children—a nationally recognized organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. RSVP to become a member today: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cO1UXXUbabSSPXw?Q_CHL=qr

Like many of us, my family is feeling the pinch from skyrocketing healthcare costs; that's why I voted to:- Freeze your ...
09/05/2026

Like many of us, my family is feeling the pinch from skyrocketing healthcare costs; that's why I voted to:
- Freeze your health insurance costs
- Keep hospitals open
- Make it harder for politicians to raise our healthcare costs

09/05/2026

WASH YOUR CAR. SUPPORT JDT.

Come support the J-Hawk Dance Team at our upcoming car wash fundraiser! Bring your friends, bring your dirty cars, and let us do the work.

Saturday, Sept. 5
Novak Auto, 4547 Johnson Ave NW, Cedar Rapids

Every wash directly supports our dancers and the 2026–27 season. We’ll see you there!

09/05/2026

September is Hunger Action Month!

Whether you give your time, your voice, or your support, you can help make a difference. Iowa's six food banks are united in the fight against hunger, but we can't do it without you.

Find your nearest food bank and join us in taking action against hunger.

Starting off the Labor Day weekend talking to constituents about what’s on their mind. Increasing costs was a hot topic ...
09/05/2026

Starting off the Labor Day weekend talking to constituents about what’s on their mind. Increasing costs was a hot topic this evening.

09/04/2026

If you (or "Current Resident") recently received a letter saying, "someone at this address might not be registered to vote", that letter was NOT from our office -- but the voter registration form included with it IS valid.

The Center for Voter Information (a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization) recently sent voter registration forms to about 4.7 million households nationwide. They are trying to reach people appearing on commercial mailing lists, but not at the same address on voter registration lists. However, the lists they use are sometimes out of date. To learn more about CVI and/or remove yourself from their mailing list visit: CenterForVoterInformation.org/got-mail

You may check your voter registration status on the Iowa Secretary of State's website via: apps.sos.iowa.gov/elections/VoterReg/RegToVote/search.aspx

If you DO need to update your voter registration, you may use the form and envelope provided with that letter or (if you have an Iowa Driver's License or Non-operator ID) update your registration online via:
MyMVD.IowaDOT.gov/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fVoterRegistration

If you know other people in Linn County who need to register to vote or update their registration after a move or name change, and they can't or prefer not to register online, a blank form is available to print via: LinnCountyIowa.gov/380

Questions?
Call: 319-892-5300, option 1
Email: [email protected]

A great reminder to add a stop there on my calendar this weekend. If you haven’t been you are missing out. Located here ...
09/04/2026

A great reminder to add a stop there on my calendar this weekend. If you haven’t been you are missing out. Located here in House District 79 👇🏼

Address

Cedar Rapids, IA

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