It is an honor to serve you at the statehouse. As ever, I appreciate your letters, messages and phone calls on priorities at the Statehouse. From joining with Pat and Diane Gannon in Colfax to discuss hog farming, to talking with companion animal owners on ending puppy mills in Iowa, I am working hard to pass purposeful legislation to help our local community. With more than 200 different bills being reviewed during the final “funnel week,” here are the highlights of major bills driving Iowa’s future:
$7 billion for Iowa schools
The Senate led in passing educational funding providing an approximately $90 million in increased funding for Iowa schools. Now, more than $7 billion in total funding is invested in our K-12 students. This funding allows us to prioritize education and ensure adequate money remains to fund our state troopers, mental health priorities, community colleges and universities, as well as easing the tax burden on Iowans.
Equity for rural schools
Passage of Senate File 2164 provides transportation and per pupil equity. The passage of this bill continues to close the gap in equalizing the amount of funding the state sends to per student in different districts. It also completes our promise to Iowa schools to level the playing field when it comes to costs associated with transporting students to school. This policy has been a priority several years and I’m proud we were able to deliver fully on that promise.
Restoring felon voting rights
When a felon finishes their time, for the sentence of their crime, they deserve the right to vote. Equally, the victims of crime deserve restitution for the crime committed upon them. I support a constitutional amendment that returns former felons back to their communities with their voting rights — in tandem with ensuring victims also have rights to be protected.
Senate rejects court’s claim to “Constitutional Right to Abortion”
The Senate debated and passed SJR 2001 to allow Iowan’s to vote on a constitutional amendment regarding abortion. The resolution rejects Iowa’s Supreme Court ruling that abortion is a constitutional right. This will allow the people of Iowa, not unelected judges, to decide how Iowans protect life.