Firearms for teachers, tax reform among issues discussed at forum
Republican lawmakers representing southwest Iowa were greeted by a sparse but engaging audience Saturday morning at Glenwood City Hall to discuss legislation being considered in the Iowa Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Rep. David Young joined State Rep. David Sieck and State Sen. Mark Costello for a legislative coffee hosted by the Glenwood Area Chamber of Commerce. The elected officials discussed a variety of issues being addressed in Congress and at the statehouse in Des Moines.
Young, who represents Iowa’s third congressional district, shared his views on multiple topics, including infrastructure, trade, agriculture, water quality, renewable fuels and school safety.
The congressman said strides are being made in improving America’s roads and bridges, noting the nation has the world’s “best working forces.”
Young voiced concerns about President Donald Trump’s call for raising tariff’s on steel and aluminum coming into the U.S. and encouraged Trump to “get on with bilateral trade agreements” to offset gains being made in the world market by China.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz’s efforts to stall the appointment of former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey to the position of USDA undersecretary for farm production and conservation drew criticism from Young.
“Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is really trying some strong-armed tactics,” Young said. “They want to get rid of renewable fuels, but they are great for the environment and our economy.”
Young said Northey will be a strong proponent for farmers and a “champion for water quality issues.”
Referencing last month’s mass shooting at a school in Parkland, Fla., Young said America has witnessed too many “horrible tragedies.”
“We want to keep weapons out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them,” he said.
Young said he opposes any federal legislation that would mandate school teachers and administrators be required to be armed with firearms.
“That’s a decision that should be made at the local level,” he said.
As for the statehouse, Sieck praised progress being made in the House of Representatives to reduce corporate tax rates and collect sales tax revenue from online sales providers.
“It’s not fair for the Main Street businesses to compete with them,” Sieck said. “We are just trying to make things simpler and fairer.”
Improving the state’s mental health system is also a major priority for lawmakers this session, Sieck said.
Costello talked about tax reform and hailed legislation that would ban abortions after a heartbeat is detected in a fetus and a change to state statue that would raise the dollar limit for small claims from $5,000 to $7,500 or $10,000.
Saturday’s coffee attracted an audience of 15 people. The final legislative coffee of the year in Mills County is scheduled for April 7, beginning at 7:30 a.m., at the Charles E. and Florence M. Lakin Community Center in Malvern.