Q&A with House 85 candidate Jacob Wenck

Jacob Wenck, 23, of North Liberty, is the Libertarian candidate for House District 85 in the Nov. 8 general election. Wenck is a first-time candidate.

The Gazette posed a set of questions to all area statehouse candidates. Below is the transcript of Wenck’s answers. Polls will be open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What do you think are the three most important issues the state is facing? What would you do to address them?

Wenck: Currently the three biggest issues for Iowans are the use of eminent domain, lack of funding for inpatient/residential treatment, and the perpetuation of the failed war on drugs. Eminent domain should be made illegal in Iowa as well as curfews, red flag laws, checkpoints, lockdowns, and any other martial law polices. Iowa should ignore the controlled substances act and legalize, tax, and regulate drugs in the state. Funding of mental health should be increased so that implementation of new residential treatment programs can be established for individuals struggling with mental health.

Do you support the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines? Why or why not?

Wenck: No. If the government can make you an offer that you cannot refuse for the land that you own, then you do not own that land. Citizens deserve the right to do with their property as they see fit.

What restrictions or limitations should be placed on the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines?

Wenck: Eminet domain should be illegal in all circumstances.

The state is projected to have a budget surplus of more than $1 billion. What would be your top priorities for that surplus?

Wenck: Iowa desperately needs an expansion of its mental health facilities, especially PMIC and ICF-ID programs. Too often our families turned away because of lengthy waitlists or it's determined that the applicant is not an appropriate fit for the program. More care needs to be given to our youth with mental health and behavioral needs early on so that they do not end up in jail or in prison later in life.

What changes — beyond those made in recent sessions — would you like to see made to Iowa's tax code?

Wenck: If citizens are expected to pay taxes annually then said citizen should have a direct say in where their money is being allocated to when taxes are filed. Generally speaking, taxes should be reduced.

Under what circumstances should Iowans be able to access abortion services in the state? What if any, exceptions should apply to any abortion bans?

Wenck: Abortion should be allowed during the first trimester. If there is a medical danger, then abortion may be appropriate past the first trimester.

What are your ideas for improving public schools?

Wenck: The current school system is outdated and is a product of the industrial era. Most students have a basic understanding of who they are, their interests, and what they wish to pursue in their adult life by the time they reach high school. The invention of the internet has opened a Pandora’s box of information that has made many aspects of formal education outdated. One of those things being the idea of core classes. Rather than obligating students to take courses in high school that they are uninterested in or do not care about schools should have an individual plan for each student that focuses on what they are interested in for a career.

Do you support further use of state funds to help parents pay the costs of non-public schools or home schooling for grades K-12? Why or why not?

Wenck: No. Taxpayers should not be expected to pay for education that their children are not using.

Should Iowa ban the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving?

Wenck: No, citizens are more than capable of these kinds of decisions for themselves.

Should automated traffic cameras be banned?

Wenck: Yes, the Orwellian overuse of cameras is pushing the United States into a surveillance state. With the appropriate infrastructure cameras may be used to establish a social credit system in the United States. Often these automated cameras are used as a means to exploit revenue from citizens and offer very little benefit for the general public.