Jodi Grover, Iowa House District 64

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. 

Jodi Grover faces Republican Chad Ingels in the election for Iowa House District 64. Ingels did not respond to the questionnaire. 

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

The three biggest issues are healthcare, education, and infrastructure. We must fund and have access to mental health services. We have the Mental Health Institute in Independence with skilled, trained workers; the facilities and workers are available, but funding and access are not currently what they should be. Ending the privatization of Medicaid is a priority, as people in our district are not being served. We must take care of our most vulnerable citizens.

Education is the cornerstone of our state. We must prioritize access to education from the very youngest learners to those who wish to return to finish their degree by fully funding our early childhood education programs as well as K-12 schools, community colleges, and higher education. Iowa's community colleges are able to meet the needs of their communities and provide people with a skill set to make a good living while staying in their community. We also need to ensure our students are not leaving college with crippling student debt so they're able to live, work, and raise their families in the district 64 communities.

Another priority is the infrastructure in Iowa. Maintaining our roads and bridges, as well as expanding broadband technology, is paramount to remaining competitive. Ensuring that our roads and bridges are safe and drivable and that we have access to high speed Internet will allow us to better connect with people around the globe. That connection is critical for educating our students and finding competitive markets for our products.

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

Iowa needs to deploy rapid, on-demand testing in all 99 counties and work with nursing homes and seniors to protect those who are most vulnerable to the virus. We must also provide PPE to our essential workers as well as people working in educational settings. We can mitigate the spread of the virus by listening to the doctors and our public health officials.

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

PreK-12 Education, community colleges, and higher education, funding mental health services, infrastructure

We must evaluate our priorities and determine ways to help Iowans. Iowa has a balanced budget law and tough decisions are made each session. I will work to maximize funding for my priorities while living within the state's means.

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

For decades, school funding was finalized 18 months in advance so school districts had time to plan for the academic year. That law was changed in recent years leaving districts with just a few months to plan. I would advocate moving our K-12 public education system back to the front of the line when it comes to funding decisions. Public schools are the lifeblood to our rural communities and funding them appropriately must be a priority.

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?

Last year, Iowa reported 622 river, lake, and wetland water impairments. This problem didn't occur overnight and will not be solved overnight. We need to partner with cities, businesses and farmers to reduce impairments starting at a watershed level. Solving our state's water quality issues will take broad bi-partisan support, all partners at the table and a long-term, stable funding source. I look forward to taking part in those conversations if elected.  

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

Access to high-quality, affordable child care options is a problem in both urban and rural Iowa. Childcare expenses are enormous, and we have hit the point in which for some families, two incomes just aren't enough. Facilities, background checks for care providers, and transportation are all serious considerations for people. Kidsville in Independence is and has been an excellent example of community support for child care. As a non-profit, associated with the school system, the AEA, the extension and others, this model has been very good for parents, and provided a safe, familiar setting for children. This can be an example for the whole state.

We must also address the 'workforce behind the workforce' and pay early childcare providers a livable wage.

Funding early childhood education and childcare is one of the most important investments we can make in our state.

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

Iowa's long history of racial equality under the law is a legacy worth protecting.

The Iowa Legislature last year took a good first step in passing the plan for a 'More Perfect Union.' This common sense piece of legislation helped fix some of the disparate impacts in our system. Disparate impacts in our criminal justice system will persist and we need to constantly be working on this issue. I do not support defunding the police. Our law enforcement officers play a vital role in our communities and must be a partner in these conversations.

Every citizen in Iowa deserves to be safe. Every law enforcement officer in Iowa deserves access to the tools they need to effectively prevent crime and deescalate situations as soon as possible.

I would also like to see a statewide effort to put young people in our sheriff's offices and EMS services to train and cross-train them in careers as rural law enforcement and public safety and health officers.

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. No at this time. Raising sales tax during a recession in the middle of a pandemic just doesn't make sense.

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)?

Undecided. Legislation like this can take many forms and I would like to read the full text before supporting legislation like this.

Will you support allowing financial compensation for college athletes (SF2330/HF2282)?

Undecided

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

No. All of our bordering states observe daylight savings time and if Iowa goes alone making it permanent it will negatively affect border communities.

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

Yes. I support patients' rights to determine whether or not to continue treatment in any way they choose. I do not support the state Board of Medicine allowing doctors to affirmatively end a life.

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?

No 

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

No

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

No. Parents are responsible for their children. 

Will you support eliminating criminal penalties for possessing marijuana?

No 

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?

Yes, but only with evidence provided by law enforcement and a judge's order. Those who are a danger to themselves or others shouldn't possess a firearm.