IPR file New Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls says Senate Democrats will prioritize financial assistance for Iowans affected by the pandemic. The new Iowa Senate Minority Leader says one of Senate Democrats’ top priorities for the next legislative session is to call on the Republican majority to spend state money on a pandemic relief package. Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, said some of the state’s $305 million budget surplus and $770 million reserve or “rainy day” funds should go to essential workers, food assistance and small business relief. Wahls said this is the time to use rainy day funds. He said it’s not just a rainy day; it’s a thunderstorm.