Democrats seek to repeal law making English Iowa's official language

DES MOINES — A 17-year-old law making English the official language of the state of Iowa is outdated and “a terrible message” for immigrants, according to a sponsor of legislation to repeal it.

“It’s antiquated,” Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, said about the 2002 Iowa English Language Reaffirmation Act that requires official state documents to be printed in English.

Perhaps more importantly, she said, it tells immigrants they are not welcome.

“We should do everything we can to make them more welcome,” Mascher said about Hispanic, Bosnian and African immigrants coming to Iowa. “We have the lowest unemployment in the nation and we need workers.”

Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/democrats-seek-to-repeal-law-making-english-iowas-official-language-2002-iowa-english-language-reaffirmation-act-20190123