I.C. incumbents put priority on public education

DES MOINES - Democratic state Reps. Vicki Lensing and Mary Mascher of Johnson County are seeking re-election for what would be their ninth and 12th terms, respectively.

Neither has a Republican opponent at this time.

Lensing's priorities

Lensing, the ranking Democrat on the State Government Committee, also serves on the Environmental Protection, Local Government, and Government Oversight committees. She is seeking re-election in House District 85, which includes northeastern Iowa City.

Investing in public schools and colleges rather than Republican-sponsored corporate tax cuts is her priority, she said.

'Our public schools have received paltry state increases from Gov. Terry Branstad since he has been in office that have not kept up with rising costs, and the expense of higher education is rising every year,” Lensing said.

Lensing, 58, is co-owner of Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City. She has developed and facilitated several bereavement support groups for adults and children, and she works with Iowa City Hospice, Iowa Children's Hospital, Mercy Iowa City and community groups on educational and support programs. She served as chairwoman of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce in 2000 and is a 1996 graduate of the chamber's Community Leadership Program. She also has served on committees for the Johnson County Community Foundation and 5224Good, and she is a board member for Elder Services.

She and her husband, Rich Templeton, have three children.

Mascher's priorities

Mascher, 63, is seeking re-election in House District 86, which includes southern Iowa City, University Heights and Hills. She, too, said education is her priority.

'Over the last six years, our public institutions have been hit hard by Republicans who want to shortchange critical investments in education to pay for massive tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit corporations and the wealthiest Iowans,” Mascher said. 'As a retired teacher, I know a quality public education at all levels is key to growing our economy and making sure every child graduates with the skills necessary to land a good job.”

Mascher serves on the Appropriations, Education, Local Government, and State Government committees.

Mascher taught for 33 years in Iowa City public schools. She helped establish the first girls' softball league in Iowa City in 1988 and served as treasurer on its board of directors. She has served on the board of directors for the Iowa City Community Theatre, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission and the Iowa City Riverfront Commission. She is a past president of the Iowa City Education Association.

Mascher has one son.

House members are paid $25,000 a year and serve two-year terms.