First legislative coffee set for Saturday in Newton

With the 86th session of the Iowa State Legislature convening this week, the first of three opportunities for Jasper County constituents to hear from their legislators in person is coming up.

The first of three legislative coffees, hosted by the Jasper County League of Women Voters, is set for 9 a.m. Saturday in the Club Room of Hy-Vee of Newton, 1501 Fist Ave. E. Ruth Barnett will moderate this year.

District 15 Sen. Chaz Allen (D-Newton) District 28 Rep. Greg Heartsill (R-Columbia), District 29 Rep. Dan Kelley (D-Newton) and District 14 Sen. Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) are slated to attend the January coffee.

The public is invited to the free event. There will be two more coffees, scheduled for Feb. 20 and March 19.

“This is provided for the voting public to hear from their legislators, and the opportunity to participate,” Barnett said.

The format of the coffees begins with each legislator making a statement about concerns or issues that are currently before the Iowa Legislature. That will be followed by a question-and-answer period.

The league asks that all questions be about the material presented or a topic directly related to the business of the legislature.

“Hopefully, we’ll get some really great questions this year,” Barnett said.

Citizens should limit themselves to one question until everyone who has a question has had an opportunity to ask it. The league reserves the right to limit the number of questions on an issue to ensure that all issues of interest have a chance to be heard.

Cell phones should be turned off or placed in silent mode.

In keeping with the League’s nonpartisan policy, campaign literature, partisan literature, and nomination papers are prohibited before or during the coffee.

Barnett said she isn’t sure exactly how long the League has been hosting legislative coffees, but it’s been at least as long as when she got involved around 2006.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that works to improve our system of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com