Molly Donahue, Iowa House District 68

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. 

Rep. Molly Donahue faces Republican Lou Rogers in the election for Iowa House District 68. Click here to read Rogers' responses.

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

Covid, healthcare/mental health care, the economy. I would follow the science when it comes to the pandemic and require masks to lower our numbers and save lives. Healthcare and mental health care are incredibly important to our communities and constituents and we must make sure that they are affordable and accessible not only in the urban centers but in the rural areas. Our economy has been hurt by the Covid pandemic and the lack of leadership to lower the numbers. In addition many counties have now been damaged further by the Derecho causing further economic decline. We must control Covid numbers and make sure that our businesses are receiving the help from the state and the federal government necessary to keep their doors open during these hard times.

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

A mask mandate has been proven many times over across this country to work in lowering the Covid numbers. I would follow the science and listen to the science and do what it takes to protect Iowans.

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

I would find all unfunded mandate's. I would make the mental health programs education programs and Medicaid programs a priority in the state and I would target reductions by looking at and having more oversight of corporate tax credits to make sure that the ones that are being used are appropriate and worthwhile.

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

I would fully funded education system by making sure that they receive cost-of-living increases yearly. I would also make sure that our budgets are completed early and two years in advance so the schools can plan accordingly for their school budgets and staffing.

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 would make sure that the trust was funded for water quality. I would add oversight to make sure that programs that are in place and plans that are being used are cost-effective and actually help our farmers reduce runoff.

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

We need to pay our state child care workers better so they can provide quality daycare, I would work with our businesses and corporations to see how we can work together to provide more daycare options So that workers can stay in the workforce, and I would fix the child care cliff so that parents don't automatically get kicked off assistance because of a raise.

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

Racial injustice is a systemic issue all across this country -Iowa included. We must change the laws and policies that are putting our minorities in a position of injustice and that are inequitable. I would provide more training for police officers in cultural awareness, implicit bias training, social services, and mental health. In addition, I would fund more services that would reduce the need and use of the police, judicial system, and prisons.

Will you support a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for felons?

Yes. I believe that when someone has served their time and is showing good faith in paying restitution Should be given their right of voting back. Giving rights back to felons helps assimilate them back into the community and reduce recidivism rates.

Will you approve the governor's IWILL tax relief/mental health plan?

Undecided. We must fund mental health initiatives. I am unsure of this being the best way to fund mental health. Sales tax is not consistent and it affects those who are least able to pay more at the checkout. 

Will you seek voter approval of a constitutional amendment on abortion (SJR2001/HJR2004)?

No. I do not believe that healthcare matters should be legislated. Healthcare is between the woman and her doctor.

Will you support a ban hand-held electronic devices while driving (SF2248/HF2375)?

Yes. Distracted driving has killed far too many people and banning the use of devises while driving is the right thing to do.

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

Undecided. I understand that student athletes bring in a lot of money to the colleges and the use of their images produces many of those funds. I am not sure that this won't hurt the integrity of the sports and the outcomes if the games.

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

No. This is a totally unnecessary bill.

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

Yes. I believe that we should be much more humane about the end of life for humans. We do better for our pets then we do for our loved ones. There needs to be some heavy oversight to make sure that this is only available for those who are terminally ill and no chance of recovery.

Will you support closing loopholes to protect mobile home occupants/tenants (HF2351/SF2238)?

Yes. In Iowa we lack in affordable and accessible housing. Mobile homes are affordable housing and we need to protect them as such. If out-of-state companies come in and increase rents beyond their ability to pay we lose what little affordable housing we have.

Will you support increasing the state minimum hourly wage from $7.25?

Yes. Minimum-wage has not been increased for far too long. This was a wage that was put in place to make sure that people could afford to live-it was a livable wage. Minimum wage must increase so that we can provide good paying jobs for our people to to live. By doing so, we will also help maintain workers here in our state. 

Will you support raising the state tobacco tax by $1 to $2.36 per pack?

Yes. For those people who choose to continue to smoke or chew tobacco, these taxes are important to make sure we have programs to the tour younger people from starting, as well as to help pay for many of the illnesses they will receive because of the use of these products.

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

Yes. Modifying yes, repealing no. I do believe after so many years it is time to increase the amount of the 5 cents that goes to the recycling centers so that they can maintain their equipment and employees as well as continue to help keep our state free of litter. The results of the bottle and can deposit have been great for the environment and we need to make sure we continue to move forward in cleaning our environment rather than backwards.

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

Yes. I support minors wearing helmets. I do believe the adults should have the choice.

Will you support eliminating criminal penalties for possessing marijuana?

Yes. I feel that there are better ways to handle the use and/or possession of marijuana through social services rather than prison. As well as being far less costly to the public.

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

Yes. To date our matrix is not caught up, and I think we need to take a step back and see how these facilities are affecting our environment and waters and With oversight find ways to make sure they don't pollute our waterways before more are added.

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

Yes. I believe in common sense gun laws. If there are people who are unstable or convicted violent offenders/abusers they should not have fire arms.