Sarah Smith, Iowa House District 76

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. 

Sarah Smith faces Republican Rep. David E. Maxwell and No Party candidate Kamal Hammouda in the election for Iowa House District 76. Click here to read Hammouda's responses. Maxwell did not respond to the questionnaire. 

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

Fully Fund Public Education in Iowa & Create Equal Funding for Rural School Districts

The state support for education has been below 3% for the past several years, schools have been forced to delay technology upgrades and reduce educational opportunities for students. Large school districts, where more residential and commercial property is available for taxation have new buildings. I want to increase school funding to at least at the current inflation rate of 3-4 percent and reimage the current taxation for rural school districts to equalize opportunities for students across the state.

Ensure Accessible & Affordable Healthcare for All Iowans

We need to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for our rural hospitals. Increasing that rate will be a step in the right direction towards better financial security for these important local institutions. I want to make sure that they remain for the economic stability of our small towns. We need to increase the number of providers and facilities across Iowa to ensure everyone can get help when necessary. Mental healthcare will be one of my top issues in the legislature; it's too important to ignore. I want to improve access to mental health services for our rural communities.

Expand Internet Connection Across Iowa

We know the future is digital & electronic. The internet needs to be part of the foundation for a strong economic infrastructure. Fast reliable internet is no longer a luxury, it should be viewed as a utility like electricity, water, and phone. I want fast, reliable internet in every home, school, and business in Iowa.

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

During the course of the pandemic, Iowa has done very little to protect its workers, their families and our small rural towns. As we saw, even in the midst of outbreaks at essential businesses, the virus continued to spread because workers were not protected and risked unemployment if they did not report to work. We need to put policies in place to protect workers.

A mask mandate should have been put in place in March of 2020. Study after study shows the effectiveness of stopping the spread of coronavirus when masks are worn correctly. When I first started to wear a mask in March, I remembered when the seatbelt law was passed in 1986 when I was a child. No one liked wearing seatbelts, they were uncomfortable and it was a new habit to get used to. Now we all wear seatbelts to save lives. Let's do the same by all wearing masks in Iowa to save lives and stop the spread.

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

Public schools, AEAs and community colleges are a vital part of a rural education system. We need to return to the 18 month window for setting SSA (Supplemental State Aid) which will allow for K-12 public school funding to be a top priority. By making education a top priority we are not just setting an SSA after a majority of other budgets are set and dealing with the remaining amount in a budget.

Supporting rural hospitals by increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for our rural hospitals. Increasing that rate will be a step in the right direction towards better financial security for these important local institutions. It will also help ensure labor and delivery departments stay open. I want to make sure that they remain for the economic stability and future of our small towns.

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

We need strong schools to attract and retain young families and businesses. Public schools are the cornerstone of rural communities and are an investment in all of our futures. However, the state's new investment in public schools has been the lowest in Iowa history over the last decade. We need to increase school funding in Iowa to support our teachers and staff, nine out of the last 10 years SSA (Supplemental State Aid) continues to be below current school inflation (3-4%). Schools are still trying to recover from the wrongs of the past including when schools received 0% increase in 2012 and only 1.1% in 2016. Schools have also been forced to delay technology upgrades and reduce opportunities for students. I want to increase the SSA school funding to at least at the current inflation rate of 3-4 percent and reimage the current taxation for rural school districts to equalize opportunities for students across the state.

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 believe that a greener future for Iowans comes through supporting programs that focus on improving water quality. I want to fund more research and water monitoring, improve state water quality standards, and develop new pollution standards for streams, rivers, and lakes. We need to increase our financial responsibility in order to see success.

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

In Iowa, child care costs range from $859 to $1,315 per month for one infant and one toddler. Iowa, families spend anywhere between 19.5% to 24.2% of their income on child care costs, which is significantly more than they do on housing. Iowa ranks as one of the top states in the U.S. where both parents are working and have children under six years old. There is a tremendous need for affordable and quality child care in Iowa.

We need to create a flexible plan for families that phases out support as parents' income increases. Create better regulation and inspection of unlicensed child care centers. Continue to increase child care provider reimbursement rates to increase accessibility.

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

I have always worked to create a community built around working together through listening and supporting one another. We need to work with local police department to make sure that they have budget support for racial training. All police departments across the state need funding for Lexipol which allows for real time policy updates and provides training to officers to stay current in high risk situations that they may not see often. We all need to stand together, stand tall, and listen to one another to end racial injustice.

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?

Yes 

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)?

Yes 

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)?

Yes

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?

Undecided

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

Yes

Will you support eliminating criminal penalties for possessing marijuana?

Undecided

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

Yes 

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

Yes