The coronavirus has dramatically affected life in Iowa, across the country and around the world. Before the pandemic hit Iowa, the state was experiencing the best economy ever. Wages were rising, unemployment was well below three percent, and more job openings existed than unemployed Iowans looking for work. The pandemic changed all that success. A key priority for myself in this abbreviated end of the 2020 legislative session is to […]

Iowa continues to ease business restrictions over the next few weeks. Starting May 28, bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries will be able to reopen. On June 1, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement parks, skating rinks, outdoor performance venues, and outdoor playgrounds will also be able to reopen. Just like all previous reopenings, these entities must allow for the use of social distancing, they must follow public health guidelines to protect staff […]

The governor signed a new proclamation to allow salons, barbershops, and massage and tattoo establishments to partially reopen throughout the whole state starting on today Friday, May 15. Restaurants, fitness centers, libraries, campgrounds, and race tracks can also open in those counties that had previously been closed. Bars, movie theaters, museums, pools and casinos will remain closed. Mass gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited. Like previous proclamations, […]

Almost two months ago, the governor issued the first emergency proclamation limiting social gatherings and closing facilities such as restaurants, gyms, and casinos. Schools were closed for the remainder of the school year, and workplaces were encouraged to have their employees work from home when possible. The point of these measures was to limit the number of places people could congregate close together in order to slow the spread of […]

This week the governor announced some restrictions would be lifted for counties in Iowa experiencing decreasing or little to no COVID-19 activity. Starting tomorrow May 1, restaurants, fitness centers, malls, libraries, race tracks, and some retail establishments are allowed to reopen at half normal operating capacity, if they can still follow public health measures. This policy applies to all counties except the county I represent Polk, Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, […]

Catching up with constituents during the interim is always very rewarding. The past seven months were spent traveling across the district engaging in conversations with neighbors, friends and many concerned Iowans. Whether it was at their dining room table, a summer gathering or at parades, these conversations proved very valuable as a lawmaker embarking on the 2014 Legislative session. It is through these discussions with concerned Iowans, I learned about their lives, views on where […]

Last Minute Legislation Passed As I write this newsletter, the end of the 2013 Legislative Session is here and as legislators go back to their regular jobs, getting the crops into the fields and continuing on with their family activities, I wanted to share some of the last minute legislation that was passed.

Education Savings Accounts: A Step in the Right Direction Last week I supported another step toward meaningful education reform by offering legislation that puts parents in the driver’s seat of their student’s education. Education savings accounts (ESAs) let parents choose where to send their child; a public school district, charter, nonpublic, or home school. They would receive a deposit of public funds into government-authorized savings accounts with restricted, but multiple, uses. Those funds could be utilized to cover public or private school tuition and fees, private instruction, tutoring, and training.

Common Sense Solution to Voter Fraud This past week I supported a common sense solution to voter fraud in Iowa.  The amendment I supported requires a person to provide proof of identity to a precinct election official on Election Day before being allowed to vote.  For example, it allows students to use their school ID as long as it bears an expiration date.  The legislation lays out alternatives to the […]

The week of April 29th is the last week all legislators and I get paid for this 110 day session. This could mean good news as the session is winding to an end. We are working diligently to assure we are adjourned in a timely matter. Every year I have been under the golden dome, I always end up frustrated on how we go into overtime. No successful business could survive the way the legislature conducts business by cramming in important issues and the budget in such a short period of time. There are many important, unresolved, issues yet to tackle such as property tax reform, education reform, and Medicaid expansion, not to mention the budget.