Q&A
WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE ANN MEYER AND SENATOR TIM KRAAYENBRINK
other states, or even those in state that may not be working and require a five-year commitment in exchange for a tuition repayment. It takes time to develop the new mental health services and attract mental health providers to the state, and Iowa has made great progress in expanding community supports statewide. Once all of these services are up and running, they will serve mental health patients in the proper setting, decrease the time law enforcement will spend transporting patients and waiting in Emergency Rooms and jails, but most importantly, these bills will treat Iowans with mental illness like any other health condition. If you have a heart attack, or need emergency abdominal surgery, or need a hip repaired after a fall - you’re not put on a waiting list. You’re either treated here in town or you’re transported to another hospital…. but you get the care you need. Our ultimate goal should be mental health crises will be treated with the same urgency. Tim Kraayenbrink: At the start of each year, we are consistently looking at positive change for Iowa. The steps we have taken over these last two years have taken the state in the right direction. When I ran for the State Senate, I was concerned about the financial situation of our state. Now after six years of Republican leadership in the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate, along with a Republican governor, the state’s finances have never looked better. We have held fast to conservative spending and ensuring the state budget is responsible and sustainable for years to come. This puts us in the position for the largest tax reform for Iowa families and small businesses ever seen in the state. I am proud to have contributed to this historic tax reform.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING IN THE NEXT SESSION? Ann Meyer: Next year, I plan to monitor the progress of this year’s health policy implementation and continue the progress to strengthen our health care system, including mental health service. Tim Kraayenbrink: As the Senate Appropriations Chair, I look forward to continuing the fiscal responsible budgeting that has put Iowa in a strong position financially. We have record surpluses, record balances in our rainy-day funds, and a record amount in our taxpayer relief fund. More work remains to give Iowa parents the ability to direct their children’s education. Iowa has some excellent public schools, but they don’t work for every student. I want to put parents first and allow them to choose the educational setting that ensures success for their children. The 90th General Assembly will also allow us the opportunity to again vote on the anti-abortion constitutional amendment. This pro-life amendment states that the constitution does not secure a right to abortion. After passing this amendment during a second general assembly, it will then appear on Iowa voters’ ballots in 2024. If approved by a majority of Iowans, the language would then be added to the state’s constitution. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished and look forward to building on our successes. It has been an honor to serve and represent each of you.
And it’s not only the state’s finances that are faring well. The Iowa Republican Legislature has advanced one of the most conservative agendas in Iowa history. The successes cover a range of issues. We passed the governor’s workforce bill and passed major changes to unemployment in the state. We passed legislation protecting girls’ sports and addressed the childcare challenges in Iowa. Throughout the legislative session, we passed a lot of bills based on the feedback we hear from constituents.
8 • FORT DODGE BUSINESS CONNECTION • June 2022 10
