The 2024 session of the 90th General Assembly officially kicked off this week. One of the greatest honors of my lifetime is to serve in the Iowa General Assembly!
The first week involves speeches from leaders from all branches of government, including leaders in the House and Senate, and Governor Reynolds giving the Condition of the State. We also hear from the adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, Major General Stephen Osborn, and Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court Susan Christensen.
Hearing the speeches given by Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, Senate President Amy Sinclair, and Governor Reynolds, it is clear we have many important topics and issues to discuss this year and a lot of great work ahead of us. We are all very focused on common-sense policies to help move our state forward and continue to improve the lives of Iowans. Continuing the work on income tax cuts to help Iowa working families and small businesses makes Iowa a more inviting place to live and work.
One topic that has garnered a lot of attention is the discussion on Area Education Agencies (AEAs). It was a system created decades ago to support students and school districts in meeting the individual learning needs of students. The AEA system was put into place in 1974 and it is time to revisit the AEA mission and its effectiveness.
In the Governor’s Condition of the State, her plan to address teacher pay was presented. The current statutory minimum teacher salary is $33,500. The Governor’s proposal raises the minimum to $50,000 for starting teachers and a minimum of $62,00 for teachers with 12 years of experience.
A commitment to improving literacy will be a focus this session. Today, 35% of Iowa’s third graders cannot read proficiently. An investment in evidence-based instructional strategies will help our teachers to more effectively teach reading and writing, improving literacy for students.
As a former school administrator, school safety has always been on the front of my mind. Unfortunately, it has taken recent events to push this issue more into the light for others involved. I look forward to working on legislation to make our schools safer for students and staff.
Tax cuts are also a big topic of conversation and discussion again this year. We have passed several tax reform packages over the last few years, and we continue to see economic growth in our state. We know our tax relief policies are working, and we know they are helping Iowa grow. As we continue to receive good news about our economy, it’s time to keep budgeting responsibly and ensuring Iowa families keep more of the money they have earned.
I have spent the last several months talking to constituents in the district, hearing from people on bills we have passed and ideas they have, and I am ready to get started on another great year. As we start scheduling subcommittees and begin discussing legislation, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask questions or provide feedback on these important issues.
For the 90th General Assembly, I will serve on the Education, Ethics, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, and Natural Resources and Environment committees. Additionally, I will serve on the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.