Lee Hein, Iowa House District 96

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. 

Rep. Lee Hein faces Democrat Chase Everett in the election for Iowa House District 96. Everett did not respond to the questionnaire.

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

Iowa's workforce shortage is by far the biggest challenge that we face. Before COVID, businesses had thousands of jobs open but were not able to find workers with the skillsets necessary to fill them. COVID has only made this problem worse. We should continue to invest in Iowa's community colleges and the career training programs that they offer to Iowans. When Iowans are able to master a skill and move up in their career or fill one of those open jobs that employers have, that leads to higher wages and take-home pay for families. Expediting the development of affordable housing and high-speed broadband across the state is another way to address our workforce challenges.

Getting our economy back on track is another big issue. The COVID pandemic and the subsequent closure of schools and businesses has caused serious problems for many families. As we prepare for next session, I'll be on the lookout for opportunities to help Iowans get back to work and school safely and responsibly.

Lastly, the state budget is always something that I'm focused on. Over the last decade we have worked very hard to keep spending under control and plan for situations like today. Due to business closures and many folks being out of work due to COVID, we are likely to a negative effect on state revenue. However, because of our thoughtful planning, the state currently has a full reserve account, full rainy-day funds, and a healthy surplus to help us weather these unprecedented circumstances. In fact, the nonpartisan Council of State Governments recently published a report that named Iowa the #1 most prepared state to respond to the impact of COVID. I expect that we will continue to budget responsibly next session.

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

This has been an unprecedented situation that we haven't seen in my lifetime. Oftentimes, things were changing faster than we were able to understand them. To that end, I believe the state's response has been a balanced approach. Moving forward, we should continue to protect vulnerable populations who are more at-risk to COVID, make sure people can go back to work and school safely and responsibly, and ensure that our constitutional liberties are not violated.

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

My priorities include K-12 education, community colleges and the job training programs they offer, and public safety. To ensure these priorities are properly funded, I would treat the state budget the same way any family or small business handles their own… spend less than you take in, make strategic investments, and put some money away for when things get tight. I do not support the idea of defunding or abolishing our police and will do everything I can to protect funding for our law enforcement officers who keep our streets and neighborhoods safe every day.

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

Currently, funding for K-12 education is at an all-time high of nearly $3.4 billion annually. This represents an increase of nearly $1 billion over the last decade, or about 40%. During that time, we have done a lot of work to provide school districts with additional funding flexibility so they can more easily utilize their dollars in a way that works best for their students and educators. We have also provided rural school districts with additional dollars to pay for transportation so more resources make their way into the classroom. I would support further building on these efforts.

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?

I continue to support the science-based Nutrient Reduction Strategy as a way to reduce runoff and ensure clean water for Iowans. In recent years, we have significantly increased investment in water quality initiatives and provided a dedicated funding source to these projects. The Governor has proposed an ambitious plan that raises the sales tax to fund water quality initiatives and mental health services while also reducing property taxes. I am open to this conversation but still have not decided how I would vote on it until I fully understand how it would impact the folks I represent.

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

During the 2020 session, House Republicans put together a robust package of legislation aimed at child care in Iowa. This plan would reduce child care costs by expanding an existing tax credit to more middle-class families, increase access to day care providers, incentivize employers to offer and expand child care to their employees, and address the 'cliff effect' by easing Iowans off of government child care assistance programs. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced us to sideline the plan this session but I will be working with others and expect it to come up again next year.

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

I support the right to protest but condemn the violence that seems to follow. We passed a bipartisan justice reform bill last session. I have always supported law enforcement and will continue too.

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?

Undecided

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

Undecided

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)?

Undecided

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

Undecided

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

Undecided

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

Undecided

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

No 

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

Undecided

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

Undecided

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

Undecided

Will you support eliminating criminal penalties for possessing marijuana?

Undecided

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

No 

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

Undecided