Make Iowa welcoming for young Iowans

I am running for Iowa House District 92.

As the daughter of a schoolteacher and a lawyer, I’ve learned the value of education and the importance and power of laws. I am a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Iowa, and I made my home in Washington because of its year-round community events and affordability. I’m running to help correct some of the laws that are being put on the books in Iowa that limit how welcoming our state is, especially for my generation.

We need to revitalize our public school system. In rural Iowa, smaller towns thrive when the public schools are strong. Iowa used to receive top ranking for educational excellence, but now we’ve fallen in the state rankings. As an instructor, I see students who have been failed by this state’s public education system, through no fault of their own or their teachers. Schools are underfunded, understaffed, and under-resourced, and this problem will only grow from here. All students deserve a quality K-12 education, whether they attend a higher education institute, a trade school, or go directly into the workforce after graduation.

We need to increase access to mental health care. The Guidelink center in Johnson County is a great resource for helping people in crisis, but it is only one center, and it’s too far for many people to travel to get the help they need. Across the state, mental health resources are distant and strained. I want to direct state funds toward mental health care and allow local governments to decide on the type of facility and services appropriate to their populations.

We need to ensure reproductive health freedom. Our six-week ban leaves few options, as six weeks is often before many women know they’re pregnant. Victims of rape or incest might not even know what happened to them or are fearful of reporting an incident. And what practitioner will want to stay in Iowa when they’re not allowed to treat a miscarriage or pregnancy complication without fear of losing their license? Medical schools in Iowa won’t be able to offer full training for reproductive care. I want to codify the rights of a patient, their loved ones, and their doctor.

I’m asking for your vote so I can bring opportunity back to Iowa. I’m asking for your vote so I can help make Iowa an attractive place for future generations.

Anna Banowsky is the Democratic candidate in House District 92.