Listening to Iowans

Upmeyer Column: I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend some quality time with family and friends. I am incredibly thankful for my loving family and for the opportunity to serve you in the Iowa House. As we move into December I want to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy New Year!
With the holidays fast approaching, that means that the 2018 legislative session is getting closer. Following a historic and successful session in 2017, we’ve begun preparing for next year’s session, which begins on Jan. 8. Before we gavel in for the year, I’d like to hear what you think. Below is a survey about some of the issues that may come up during the 2018 session. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
What issue is most important to you?
A. Economy/Jobs
B. Healthcare
C. Education
D. Budget/Spending
E. Environment/Natural Resources
F. Government responsibility/transparency
Do you think that state government:
A. Spends too much
B. Spends too little
C. Spends the right amount
What should the State Legislature’s top priority be during the 2018 session?
A. Reforming Iowa’s tax code
B. Establish a funding source for urban and rural water quality projects
C. Improving job and skill training programs
D. Parental choice in education
E. Other ___________________________________
What would you like to see in a potential income tax reform package? (Select all that apply)
A. Rate reductions
B. Fewer tax brackets
C. Fewer tax credits, exemptions, and deductions
D. A flat tax
E. A consumption tax
F. Other ___________________________________
How should Iowa fund water quality projects and improvements for rural and urban communities?
A. Use existing revenue sources such as the sales tax on metered water
B. Raise the sales tax to trigger the Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Trust Fund
C. Do nothing
D. Other ___________________________________
What percentage of the state budget should be devoted to public K-12 education?
___________________________________
Do you support a government-run health system where bureaucrats make health decisions instead of Iowa families?
Yes or No
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
___________________________________ I appreciate your feedback. Your responses will help guide our efforts this session as we work to make Iowa an even better place to live, work, raise a family, or grow a business. You can return this survey by mail or email using my contact information below. You can also fill the survey out online at bit.ly/Upmeyer2018Survey.
Mailing address:
Rep. Linda Upmeyer, Speaker’s Office, Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319
Email: Linda.Upmeyer@legis.iowa.gov
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or feedback that you may have. You can reach me at linda.upmeyer@legis.iowa.gov or 515-281-3521.