Area State legislators discuss issues, field questions at weekend legislative forum in Waukon

by Joe Moses

Senator Michael Breitbach of Iowa’s 28th District, Representative Anne Osmundson of Iowa House District 56 and Representative Michael Bergan of Iowa House District 55 hosted a legislative forum Saturday, February 16 at the Allamakee County Farm Bureau building in Waukon. The event was an opportunity for the general public to have discussion with State of Iowa legislators representing their communities.

The event began with a greeting from Allamakee County Farm Bureau President Rick Weymiller with brief comments from Bergan, Osmundson and Breitbach before questions and comments were heard from the public with approximately 15 members of the public in attendance.

Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer provided several items for the panel of representatives to discuss, including the current Iowa Code relating to absentee ballots. Breitbach indicated that there have been some favorable discussions with support throughout the state to set a solid deadline at the closing of polls for absentee ballots. Breitbach discussed his recommendation to extend the timeline to apply and return absentee ballots to help simplify the absentee voting process with a solid deadline at the closing of polls, providing fairness to the public. Bergan discussed election bills that have been proposed and provided a comparison to legislation in other states. He said that committee work will continue in an effort to move a bill to the floor.

Bergan and Osmundson addressed Schellhammer’s question regarding a potential change of the County Assessor position from being an appointment to an elected position. Bergan advised that he would not support a change to making this an elected position due to the expertise required for this role with each county’s board of supervisors responsible for the hiring and oversight of this position serving the public well. Osmundson agreed that this should not be changed based upon the feedback from county officials received on this matter.

A letter to the editor discussing the legalization and regulation of marijuana written by Senator Joe Bolkcom appearing in the February 6 edition of The Standard was discussed by the panel of representatives. Breitbach indicated that he would not be in support of legalization for recreational use but would be in support of medical use for chronic illnesses. Bergan indicated that he is looking to the Board of Medicine to make recommendations regarding medical use of marijuana for chronic illnesses and discussed ongoing FDA studies and concerns related to side effects. Osmundson indicated that a bill allowing recreational use is not likely to pass the Iowa House. Breitbach indicated that bills are moving forward to allow the cultivation of industrial hemp for clothing and rope. The panel and Weymiller discussed the potential of industrial hemp as a cash crop for Iowa farmers.

Breitbach provided an overview of federal tax credits available for solar energy. Larry Leliefeld, a co-owner of Geothermal Eco Options, Inc., discussed the elimination of tax credits available for geothermal. Leliefeld expressed concerns regarding solar panels manufactured in China receiving tax credits with geothermal being a renewable that supports local jobs and industry.

The representatives also responded to other questions relating to proposed changes to Iowa’s judicial selection process, current proposed legislation and land acquisition by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).