Government : HELLO HOUSE DISTRICT 75 FROM THE STATE CAPITOL!

I hope everyone survived the brutal cold weather, at least the best you could! I’ve been busy going to committee meetings this week, trying to learn as much as possible about the process. Constituents have approached me with issues important to them, of which I’m looking into further. The annual Condition of Education Report was released (https://educateiowa.gov/data-reporting/education-statistics/annual-condition-education-report-pk-12) and found student enrollment has increased for the last 7 years in a row, teacher numbers have increased again, and so has their salaries. Iowa teacher salaries rank 22nd nationally, compared to 40th in 2005/06. The Legislature will increase the education funding again this year, and the details will be determined later. I’ve been attending school board and supervisor forums this week such as in Brooklyn and Williamsburg for the school districts in the southern part of district 75, will be attending more, and appreciate the dialogue. The backfilling of the Tax Increment Financing program (TIF) and property tax abatements have been showing they are working, according to the statistics. TIF was created in 1992 to help communities finance their improvement projects, which helps with property tax rates. Some district 75 constituents visited the Capitol this last week, Pastor Josh Graber of Vinton brought his son for a field trip. Also, Kaitlyn Pegump(1st row left) and Nicole Hulsebus(2nd row right), both from Atkins and University of Iowa Pharmacy students, were at the Capitol on January 29th along with other pharmacy students holding a health screenings day in the rotunda. Great job and thank you!!!