Iowa’s Statehouse is running amok

Like many others, I worry greatly about the unchecked retribution coming from D.C. I’m also very concerned about what once was the great state of Iowa. Republicans in the Statehouse are running this state amok. School vouchers are seriously harming our public schools. Removing LGBTQ protections and reducing funding for mental health treatment is unjust and mean-spirited.

The Statehouse continues to strip cities of self-governance by banning books, prohibiting citizen review boards, and yet again restricting property tax revenues from cities, while the cities must still provide almost all the services for their communities, including police and fire protection. The restrictions placed on our universities are disturbing, too.

November’s election can’t come soon enough. Righting the state’s direction, and including some tolerance and kindness, is possible if we vote accordingly in the coming elections.

Brad Hart

Former Cedar Rapids mayor