Liz Mathis, Iowa Senate District 34

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. 

Sen. Liz Mathis is unopposed in this election. 

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

HEALTHCARE: People are concerned about affordable and accessible healthcare, mental health services and the spread of COVID. We can improve and solve healthcare coverage when we identify high-need areas and shore up worker shortages, raise wages, invest in training, encourage telehealth, fund tuition reimbursement, and equitably reimburse hospitals/providers for services rendered. COVID testing and care will be a continuous conversation, concentrating on availability and costs.

ECONOMY: Since March, thousands of Iowans have been unemployed and jobs have disappeared, while businesses struggle due to loss of customers and product demand. We will work on policy that supports market recovery, post-COVID and derecho. We also need to focus on diversity training, recruiting and inclusion.

EDUCATION: We will help students achieve and support teachers/schools charged with that responsibility, by improving state policy and funding. School leaders are increasingly concerned about mental health issues in schools, especially in the age of virtual learning. Several solutions are already underway.

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

The Governor had twice weekly media conferences, but transparency has been lax regarding Test Iowa data collection and CARES Act spending. There has been a dramatic increase of COVID spread in school districts (Sioux County) not using masks. It defies logic that masks are not mandated, when we know (scientifically) it reduces spread. The pandemic laid bare the state's antiquated data collections systems. The state's communications with county public health departments has been confusing and at times, non-existent. There has been a lack of clear guidance on contact tracing. Some skilled nursing facilities and families were/are not getting the state support needed. And finally, the President was/is deficient in his duties to lead through this pandemic and each state, including Iowa, had to create a roadmap. That is not good government. The State must immediately plan, practice and make certain we are ready for the next event.

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

Many of the budget priorities for the upcoming session will be tied to effects from the pandemic and the derecho. We will need to recalibrate our commitment to the state's public schools, Regent's institutions, and community colleges for them to succeed in our collective education goals. We will most likely see an increase in Medicaid/Managed Care costs, due to unemployment. Mental health services, both for children and adults, will be a budget priority. Our farmers who lost everything in the derecho will be receiving help from the USDA and FSA – and it is still debatable whether commodity prices will increase because of lower supply. We need to address policies that will support affected farmers.

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

Short term: We need to address the increased costs and effects of COVID to our schools. We should set up a special funding stream for the short term, to help bridge the gaps for school COVID response.

Long term: We could set the cost of living as the minimum of SSA requirement. I think it would be a true vote of educational priorities if legislators had to proactively approve to lower that amount. We also need a poverty weighting, increased funding for students in poverty. And if the last year has taught us anything, it is that we need better coordination between childcare and education.

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 and quantity is an increasingly important issue. In terms of quantity, residents in Marion draw their water from the Jordan Aquifer, a pool of water deep in the earth that is fed by northern springs. In the past few years, more water is being removed than is replenished. Better oversight is needed so that this shared source can be used for a long time and cities on the aquifer won't have to drill deeper to access water or spend millions on infrastructure to pipe in surface water from other areas. In terms of water quality, we need to keep encouraging cover crop plantings that control nitrate runoff and improve the soil. The University of Iowa Flood Center has created outstanding watershed projects that mitigate flooding and soil erosion. Farmers need to continue these techniques and programs to increase long-terms yields, while being good land stewards.

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

I have submitted and supported several bills that would increase the number of people who get state help to pay for childcare and worked to increase the quality of that care. I have also worked with many childcare advocates on solutions to affordable and accessible care. But COVID hit, and the childcare issue looks much different today. I have been talking with the Department of Human Services on what it will take to keep childcare services open, when children spend more time at home during COVID and what innovative ways we can care for our children safely, while parents are working. We will also be looking at regulations for people who care for five or less children and are not registered.

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

During our legislative session, we passed a racial justice bill (HF2647) that addressed meaningful reform in police practices and training. This bill provided just a beginning in our efforts to achieve racial justice. The Iowa/Nebraska NAACP and the ACLU have lobbied for a racial profiling law for several years, but with little success. The legislation they are promoting, which I support, would require compiling racial data in traffic and pedestrian stops by law enforcement. Law enforcement needs resources to do the job of keeping Iowans safe. We have tasked them with the necessary requirement of additional training for de-escalation techniques and prevention of bias training. But we also need to fund human services efforts that we know will reduce crime and bring systemic change- creating jobs that provide a living wage, ensuring that all Iowans have access to safe housing, and funding mental health and substance abuse treatment efforts. These are just a few examples.

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 do not believe in funding mental health with a sales (regressive) tax and during COVID we have seen how the sales tax can decrease, which would be detrimental to mental health care. I do, however, support funding IWILL. These two areas need to be funded separately.

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)?

Yes

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)?

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?

Yes 

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

Yes. I support modifying, improving and updating it, but not repealing it.

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

Yes 

Will you support eliminating criminal penalties for possessing marijuana?

Undecided. Several times I have supported lowering penalties for first time possession (5 grams or less) but I would want to see the legislation before fully committing to eliminating criminal penalties or writing citations.

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

Undecided. The Iowa Agriculture Secretary, Department of Natural Resources and the EPA must acknowledge that NW Iowa is overpopulated with large-scale animal feeding facilities and some farmers are 'gaming' the system by coming in slightly under a number of hogs that requires more stringent regulations.

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

Yes. I would support, as long as there are due process protections in place.