I want to craft common-sense solutions

I'm running for the Iowa Senate because I believe in serving my community. I have lived that belief during my time with the Johnson County Sherriff's Office and on the Clear Creek Amana School Board. My experience in our community has put me in direct contact with the everyday problems and struggles of all kinds of Iowans.

In my nearly 30 years of experience with the Johnson County Sherriff's Office, I've seen that we need proactive solutions to protect people's safety, especially the vulnerable. An example of this is the relationship between mental health services and crime.

When I started at the Sheriff's Office 28 years ago, we had functioning mental health institutes across Iowa that treated those who needed help. Now, with many of these institutions closed or no longer providing these services, those who need treatment are more likely to end up in prison after committing a crime. This situation is not only inhumane and costly, it puts every Iowan at risk.

In my experience, I've seen the problems we face in this district are the same as those across the state. In communities throughout Iowa, education is a priority with significant and varied issues. I believe it is essential to ensure a solid foundation for Iowa's children. That means ensuring our tax dollars are spent in the classroom, not on the bureaucracy. And it means studying local problems and creating common sense solutions to address different issues faced by different communities. School districts like Clear Creek Amana face fundamentally different problems than Cedar Rapids or districts in more rural parts of the state.

It's also important to remain one step ahead as we work together to build a strong future for Iowa. That's why I want to expand Iowa's renewable energy economy, so we can create good-paying jobs that can't be outsourced. At the same time we need to support local businesses and jobs to sustain Main Street growth in our small towns. We can do this by continuing to support job-training programs at our community colleges that match new skills curriculum with the needs of local businesses.

I hope to continue serving my community by crafting common sense solutions in the Senate.

' Kevin Kinney is the Democratic candidate for Iowa Senate District 39. Comments: kinneyforsenate@gmail.com or (319) 631-4667