Candidate Profiles

Mental Health – the challenge we face is providing services to the rural communities as we increase services to the metro areas. The mental health crisis is affecting all segments of our society. I will work with the providers to determine how we can best approach the problem and find real solutions to the underlying issues, not just a bandaid on symptoms. Real Estate Taxes – our real estate tax system is a convoluted mess. The combination of bi-annual assessments combined with a “roll-back “calculation defies explanation. As we eliminate tax on retirement income to encourage seniors to remain in Iowa, we are taxing them out of their homes. I will work with all stake holders to come up with a simplified system that funds local governments while giving property owners the ability to project future cost. Reliable, Affordable Energy – We have seen how weather-related crises have affected the energy grid around the US, causing tremendous damage to property and even death. As we work toward a goal of renewable energy, we cannot build dependency on intermittent wind and solar. For the protection of Iowans, we must require reliable affordable, 24/7 sources of energy to sustain our communities and industries in the deep cold of winter and the steamy summers. We must also protect the constitutional rights of property owners in the process.

Health and Human Services (HHS) has the responsibility for mental health, Medicaid, child protective services, disability services, nursing homes and much more. We need to review the budget needs and provide for those services. Public Safety - the increase in human and sex trafficking in Iowa is straining the departments across the state. We need to provide funding for the specialized training necessary for the unique challenges these officers face. We also need to provide specialized services for the victims of these crimes.

Yes, however that is not enough. Distracted driving is the major cause of accidents on our highways and hand-held devices are contributing to that problem. Unfortunately, cell phones are just one of the contributors to the problem. Children, pets, food, exhaustion and a host of other things cause a driver to lose concentration. We need to pass legislation that traffic officers can enforce. As vehicles become more "device ready", cell phone are less of a hazard than many of the other distractions listed above. We need a "distracted driving" law that would address erratic driving the same as we have laws against driving impaired by alcohol or drugs.

The legislature should ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services has the tools they need to address this issue. If legislation is necessary, it should include measures of success and penalties for non-compliance that will result in genuine improvements.

Addressing the challenge of reducing cancers in Iowa requires a multi-faceted approach. We need to encourage healthy lifestyles and other prevention measures while continuing to support robust cancer research. We must evaluate use of state tax dollars and fund those programs that are effective in achieving the goals set.

Water quality is a complex problem that will require participation from every community in Iowa. The agricultural sector has programs that encourage nitrogen reduction, reduced chemical applications and erosion control. Urban areas are employing increased storm water retention ponds to reduce pollution from run-off. While we currently measure nitrogen contamination from agriculture, we need to investigate all sources that contribute to decreased water quality – PFAS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, etc. These may come from landfills, industry, sewage plant leaks, and storm water run-off.

The providers of mental health services must be involved in determining the best practices for improving care and addressing the underlying causes. We need to address the additional issues surrounding human and sex trafficking how this intersects mental health services.

I believe we should protect the in vitro fertilization procedure. Chemical abortion and the "day after pill" should be closely monitored by a physician to protect the health of the mother in cases of unexpected side effects. This may take legislative action to enforce.

No, I would not vote for a “life at conception” bill that would negatively impact the IVF solution for infertile couples nor halt abortion to save the life of the mother.

The Legislature has the responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively and that the outcomes are appropriate. There is an adage that says, “you get what you measure.” We must insure our focus is on preparing students for a successful future, giving them tools that fit their skills and interests– whether college prep or the trades. They should be taught their role and responsibility as a citizen in our Constitutional Republic. The Legislature should set guidelines with a range of expectations but allow for local population differences. The huge influx of non-English speaking students has put a tremendous strain on several of our rural districts. There needs to be allowances for these local challenges.

Too often, the focus is on attracting businesses from out of state. The best sources of business growth are Iowans who grow businesses out of their garage into businesses that provide jobs for many. These local start-ups support their communities and are the drivers of economic health in our small towns. I have worked hard to protect and improve the environment for small business growth and start-ups. We need to review our tax and regulatory structures and make changes where necessary. In the process, we need to be cautious of foreign investments and huge projects that may pose potential risks.