Q&A with Iowa House 91 candidate Elle Wyant

Elle Wyant, 47, of Williamsburg, is the Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 91 in the Nov. 8 general election. Wyant, who has not previously held elected office, works in Air Cargo Sales at UPS Airlines. Wyant faces Republican Brad Sherman in the race.

The Gazette posed a set of questions to all area statehouse candidates. Below is the transcript of Wyant’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?

Wyant: Public Education Funding, Economic Development and Equity are three important issue within House District 91. I have two children that attend Clear Creek Amana Community School District and it is one of the largest in the district. The pandemic highlighted the need to provide our school system with technical resources for children and adults. We need to find opportunities for our rural industrial and agricultural business to grow their workforce. If they have the tools and manpower needed to grow their trade it will help both Iowa and Johnson Counties as well. Lastly, we can still take pride in our state that was the first in the nation to give women the ability to vote and provide access to same sex marriage. More needs to be done to protect our human rights and attract new Iowans.

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

Wyant: There is a CO2 pipeline that is proposed to run through my farm. It is only in the proposed phase and I cannot say at this time if I am for or against eminent domain. Over the years there has been high voltage power lines run through some of our farms and there are buried natural gas lines. All of these utilities have benefited the surrounding communities and as far as I know the companies have reimbursed us for that access.

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

Wyant: I do not have a strong opinion on limitations for eminent domain but if this CO2 pipeline were to indeed be placed on my family land I would not want it granted in perpetuity. If the pipeline were to be cancelled or come to a useful end it should be returned to the landowner.

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

Wyant: Coming from someone in the logistics business and an agriculture background we need to direct some of our surplus to improving the bridges, rural roads and railroads. Far too many times, my family has had to drive our farm equipment 5-10 miles out of the way to get across bridges that would accommodate our larger equipment. I would also like to see the budget surplus offering incentives for institution to set up satellite trade schools to help train and educate our skilled labor in the industrial manufacturing industry.

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

Wyant: I would like to see changes in the Iowa liquor tax. Its been stated that Iowa has the 7th highest liquor tax in the United States. My House District 91 is home to one of the largest wineries in Iowa called Fireside Winery and Ackerman Winery along with the oldest microbrewery called Millstream. Cedar Ridge Distillery is also in the district and has become well known for having high quality spirits. These business and the citizens of Iowa are overcharges and the State of Iowa has collected over $130 million in liquor sales in 2020.

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

Wyant: I am pro-choice and a parent to two young daughters here in Iowa. We need to maintain access to abortion services in the state.

What are your ideas for improving public schools?

Wyant: As a parent of two children who attend a public school I would like to see more funds allocated to the arts and vocational education. I was lucky enough to have a passional agriculture instructor at Iowa Valley High School who pushed me to be the leader I am today. My family has lived off the land for over 155 years in Iowa County and we need our youth to understand the importance of agriculture. I am not on any school boards but I have attended the parent teacher conferences with my kids and I encourage every parent to attend those meetings in addition to school board meetings. I own a one room schoolhouse on my property and I am amazed with what the teacher had access to in a rural setting which inspires me to help educate others as well.

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?

Wyant: I believe there is already some access to funds from the state that private schools can use. I am not in support of further funding of private schools. As stated earlier, our public schools need the funding and they have to provide greater access to every student in Iowa not just the selected individuals that attend private schools.

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

Wyant: My driver’s education instructor told me I needed my hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2 while driving. The same advise was given to my oldest driver and I encourage the same thing. This doesn't give me much of an option to hold a mobile device unless I am in a stopped position.