Eric Gjerde, Iowa House District 67

The Gazette sent a questionnaire to Iowa Legislature candidates representing Linn, Johnson and surrounding counties. The responses are unedited, unless to correct spelling or punctuation.

To see other candidates' responses, visit our Election 2020 Candidates page.

Eric Gjerde faces Republican Sally Abbott in the election for Iowa House District 67. Abbott did not respond to the questionnaire.

What are the three biggest issues facing the state? How would you address them?

The most pressing item facing Iowans right now is our response to COVID-19. We must control the virus before we can turn our efforts to recovery. Our state must provide rapid testing, comprehensive contact tracing and personal protective equipment to all that need it. We can mitigate the virus based on sound scientific data and must continue to encourage Iowans to not just protect themselves, but also everyone they come in contact with throughout the day at work, school, or the grocery store. Once we control the virus and its spread, we can focus on the necessary recovery effort that is so needed across our state. This recovery effort should include low interest loans for our small businesses so they can keep their doors open, grants and individual assistance for so many of our families who have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. We will recover from the pandemic and we will do it together. Whether it is opening up schools or supporting our local businesses we must put party politics aside and do what is right for Iowa.

Make Iowa's public schools a top priority again. We must invest in public education to ensure our students are ready to become an active part of our workforce. The two items that have the greatest impact on student achievement are quality teachers and smaller class sizes. We need to be sure we can attract and retain the best teachers for our children that we can in our state, all while ensuring our children have class sizes that allow them the attention from the educator they deserve. We need to be done having class sizes of 30 students.

Fix Iowa's broken healthcare system. We must be certain that everyone in our state has access to both quality and affordable healthcare. We must find a way to lower the cost of healthcare premiums and make sure everyone with a pre-existing condition can get the coverage they need to lead healthy and successful lives. We also have healthcare droughts in Iowa where every Iowan does not have equal access to mental healthcare or specialists such as obstetricians. I will make it a priority to actively recruit these professionals to our state to work in high need areas.

What, if anything, needs to change about the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic?

We need to begin to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously and listen to both our state and national experts in the healthcare field. We need access to more COVID-19 testing and quicker results. We need to ensure there is a high standard of transparency in our government when it comes to COVID-19 and the outbreaks and deaths that are occurring. I have a strong faith in Iowans, that if provided clear and accurate information, they will make sound decisions for themselves and their families. Our current COVID-19 Dashboard has fallen victim to 'fuzzy numbers' that are changing on a daily basis without explanation from the state government. As mentioned in the above question I firmly believe we must control the spread of the virus before we can begin to focus on business and individual relief so many Iowans need.

What do you consider as budget priorities? What would you do to ensure these see funding? Which areas would you target funding reductions?

COVID-19 Response, Public Education (Pre-K through Regent Institutions), Healthcare and Infrastructure

When looking at the state budget we will be in a position where we see the economy hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic and even more than other times need to be very judicious with both the incoming and outgoing money. One area we need to take a serious look at targeting reductions are the tax credits our state is giving out. As legislators and as a state we need to be certain that the tax credits we give out are serving the purpose of the credit. For example, we need to see that a company is employing the targeted number of employees they agreed to when they received the grant.

What, if any, changes would you make to the way the state funds its K-12 education system?

We need to provide public schools the funding numbers early so our districts can start planning for the next year. We also need to make public education a priority to make sure class sizes are smaller and we can recruit and retain the best educators.

What should the state do to further address water quality issues? What, if anything, should the state do to increase funding for water quality improvements?

Water quality is an issue all Iowans should be concerned about. We need to fully fund the IWILL trust fund which over 60% of Iowans approved in 2010.

What should the state do to address the availability of safe and affordable child care across Iowa?

The state needs to make sure there are enough certified child care providers in all areas of the state. As a state if we are going to have a robust workforce we must have qualified providers in place to care for their children.

What is your response to recent protests calling for racial justice? What changes to law enforcement policy or budgeting do you support?

I support peaceful protests while I oppose rioting and destruction of property. We need to continue the work of the criminal justice reform legislation that was signed into law this year. I would support funding for mental health professionals so they could respond to mental health emergencies rather than law enforcement needing to respond to every situation. I firmly believe the emergency room and jail are not appropriate mental health facilities for those who need treatment and help.

Will you support a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for felons?

Yes

Will you approve the governor's IWILL tax relief/mental health plan?

No. I support funding the IWILL trust fund that 63% of Iowans asked for in 2010. I support increasing mental health funding but each should not be reduced at the expense of the other.

Will you seek voter approval of a constitutional amendment on abortion (SJR2001/HJR2004)?

No

Will you support a ban hand-held electronic devices while driving (SF2248/HF2375)?

Yes

Will you support allowing financial compensation for college athletes (SF2330/HF2282)?

No

Will you support making daylight saving time permanent (SF2077/HF2059)?

No

Will you support allowing end-of-life options for patients with terminal conditions (SF2156/HF2302)?

Undecided. I need to see proposed legislation before I make a decision. I would want to make certain that all available treatments have been tried before a decision like this was made. I would also like to make sure we understand who is making this ultimate decision.

Will you support closing loopholes to protect mobile home occupants/tenants (HF2351/SF2238)?

Yes

Will you support increasing the state minimum hourly wage from $7.25?

Yes

Will you support raising the state tobacco tax by $1 to $2.36 per pack?

No

Will you support modifying or repealing Iowa's bottle bill law?

No

Will you support requiring helmets for minors operating motorcycles/motorized bikes?

No

Will you support eliminating criminal penalties for possessing marijuana?

Undecided. I support decriminalization of small amounts of personal use marijuana.

Will you support establishing a moratorium on constructing large-scale animal feeding facilities?

No. I would interested in revisiting building requirements for these facilities.

Will you support creating an 'extreme risk' or 'red flag' firearms protective order?

Yes. However, there needs to be due process safeguards in place for gun owners.