The partnership

The unspoken alliance of Joe Biden and Kim Reynolds

In Iowa, there may be no more far-reaching political partnership at the moment than that of President Joe Biden and Gov. Kim Reynolds.

It’s an unspoken partnership, unacknowledged, but together they have embarked on a venture to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Iowa, all aimed at addressing some of the state’s most significant challenges.

Together, they are targeting the state’s childcare deficits; its broadband gaps; and the desire to make schools safer.

Together, they are spreading money far and wide.

Just last Wednesday, the governor’s office announced $40 million in grants to non-profit organizations.

On Friday, Reynolds’ office announced another $13 million for her $100 million Destination Iowa spending plan.

Throughout, the governor has lauded the projects for the impact they will have on the state. But she barely mentions they were made possible by federal money, notably Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

People who pay attention to Iowa politics have watched this happen for months. And last week, a story in the Gazette and Quad-City Times quoted a White House spokesman saying the administration is grateful Reynolds has “come around.”

The article was a good start. Unfortunately, the explicit nature of this partnership isn’t told nearly enough.

It needs greater attention, especially now that voters are beginning to get ready to cast their votes.

This is a partnership of hypocrisy, but also of possibilities.

The hypocrisy belongs to Reynolds, who doesn’t acknowledge her partner in this venture but instead criticizes him at every turn.

Think back to the governor’s response to the president’s State of the Union address in March, when she lambasted him for seeding inflation.

Whether you believe ARPA fueled inflation or not, what’s indisputable is Reynolds is helping to sow that seed now.

Typically, Reynolds will announce these investments with a press release, often with a single line buried at the bottom that says ARPA is the source of the funds. And now that she gets to reap the harvest of publicity from doling out these funds, there is no mention of inflation.

Not for a second do I doubt that many of these investments are desperately needed.

In June, shortly after a gunman killed 19 children and two adults at a Texas school, Iowa parents worried about the safety of their kids and Reynolds announced a $100 million investment to beef up school security.

The federal government is providing the money, including through Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act.

This is the partnership at work.

The partnership also is helping with childcare.

The Republican legislative response to this barrier to happier families and a better economy has been weak.

The GOP-controlled government has watched the problem fester for years, but only recently passed a law — to stretch the workforce while ignoring the need for better pay.

Now, $200 million is being deployed to help childcare providers who lost money during the pandemic. The $200 million comes from federal funds. (For its part, the state chipped in $10 million).

Joe Biden likes to say, “don’t tell me your values. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value.”

We’re seeing his values at work in Iowa.

Thus, the possibilities of the partnership.

As a lifelong Iowan, I’m used to watching the state muddle through its problems.

Iowans instinctively know not much changes in this state, for good or ill.

Our unemployment rate is perpetually lower than it is in nearly every other state but pay for working people lags; rural Iowa continues to lose population, even as the resiliency of the people there make it a great place to live for many; our schools provide a decent education even as teachers and districts struggle in the face of state funding that continuously shrinks in real terms.

Is it possible these new federal investments will move the needle in some of these long-neglected areas?

I hope so.

If so, President Biden deserves some credit. Over the years, the state has not been good to him politically.

If so, the governor will deserve some share of the credit, too. But not before we debit her for the hypocrisy.