Myra Matejka, candidate for Iowa House District 70

House District 70 is in western Linn County, including western Cedar Rapids.

Name:

Myra Matejka

Party:

Libertarian

Residence:

Cedar Rapids

Age:

41

Occupation:

Stay at home mom

Education:

High school

Website: matejkainthehouse.com

What are the three most important issues facing Iowans, and how would you address them?

' Education: I believe the best educational choices should be left to parents and students. We need to empower parents and provide them with opportunity to do the best for their family.

' Criminal Justice Reform: I believe that if there is no victim, there is no crime. We need to stop imprisoning people for crimes where there are victims.

' Health care should have nothing to do with government, but rather a doctor and their patient.

Do you believe the state should increase the minimum wage? If yes, to what level?

No. A job is a contract between an employer and an employee. Wages ebb and flow on many variables within the market. Places with a lot of work competition, increase their wages naturally to bring in better-qualified workers as they are able. Places in rural areas will pay a natural rate fitting to their economic structure. In addition, raising minimum wages only serves to shut down small businesses and help big corporations who can better absorb the cost.

Would you vote to roll back the state income tax cuts passed last session? Would you expand them?

I would not roll back income tax cuts. I would look to see if we can cut them further. Tax dollars should not be taken lightly. Wasteful spending will be the downfall to our state.

Would you vote to end or phase out the property tax 'backfill” for local governments?

I support ending all property tax as soon as the property owner is no longer beholden to a bank. Any property. If you have paid for your property, it should no longer be allowed to be taxed by any government body. On all levels, this provides and incentive for people to invest in property long term and stay. It provides a community of companies and homeowners willing to invest for the long term.

Would you vote to ban automated traffic cameras/enforcement devices? If no, would you favor bringing them under state regulation?

Yes. Policing for revenue is despicable.

Would you vote to expand Iowa's current medical cannabis law? Legalize marijuana?

Legalize, and clear the records for every person who has been harmed by the state for non-violent crimes associated with the drug.

Should Iowa amend the state Constitution to protect the right to bear arms beyond current language? Would you support a 'constitutional carry” change to Iowa's firearm permit system that would significantly expand gun rights?

I support constitutional carry.

Would you support giving counties local control to regulate livestock facilities? Would you favor a moratorium on new large CAFO construction?

I would support any association to do as they please on their own land, as long as they do not harm others. That means they cannot pollute waters or harm air quality.

What are your thoughts on increasing funding for public education? Would you vote to extend 1-cent SAVE sales tax for school infrastructure until 2049?

We do not needs additional funding for public education. Even with extra funding in the past, the results stay stagnant. The schools still need to put children out to fundraise. The extra money raised by increased taxes never get to the children. We need to reduce the administration costs. We need to be focused on what is best for each child. That means we need to empower parents and students to be able to make the best choices.

Would you expand or repeal Iowa's law barring doctors from performing an abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected?

I would repeal. Health care choices, of any kind, do not belong to anyone other than the individual and their doctor.