I want to begin my newsletter by addressing the tragedy that occurred in Syria this month. Two Iowa Army National Guard members, SGT William Nathaniel Howard and SGT Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, were killed and three more wounded. As a fellow IAARNG member with friends currently in theater, words cannot fully describe how deeply saddened I am. There will be loved ones who said goodbye to their Soldiers a few months ago who will not get an opportunity to see them home. Their sacrifice must not be forgotten.
I pray for our brave Soldiers, their families and loved ones. Keep all those deployed in your thoughts as they continue their mission. They need our support moving forward more than ever.
The 2026 session starts in few short weeks, and I am ramping up with dozens of meetings to prepare. I've met or will meet with multiple trade unions, the Iowa Judicial Branch, Iowa Farm Bureau, Polk County, Planned Parenthood, Iowa Environmental Law & Policy Center, County Attorneys Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Bankers Association, Department of Corrections, Iowa Community Colleges, and many different constituents, forums, and local groups unique to my district. All the above listed meetings were just in the last month or so. I do everything I can to meet with as many groups as I can to make sure I am hearing from all the perspectives. I strive to be an informed legislator that best represents you.
As we gear up for 2026, I want to hear what concerns you have for the next legislative session. Please, take some time to shoot me an email with your thoughts to [email protected] or fill out the survey below!
What are Your Priorities for 2026?
We are less than one month away from the start of the 2026 legislative session, and I want to hear from YOU. What do you want the Legislature to focus on in the new year? What issues and costs are most important to you and your family? How can my colleagues and I help make your life a little bit easier?
Below is a link to a brief survey. Please take a few minutes to fill it out to let me know your top priorities for 2026.
Effectively responding to the needs of our shared community means listening to folks on the ground who are living the issues and dealing with the Legislature’s decisions day in and day out. I can’t thank you enough for your time, input, and perspective.
Happy Holidays!
This year has had no shortage of hurdles and obstacles to overcome, but as we end 2025 and lean into 2026, I want to thank you all for continuing to show up and make a difference. Creating the welcoming, affordable, and community-focused Iowa we all deserve is a team effort and I couldn’t do this work effectively without your support and engagement.
I want to wish you a joyous holiday season, rich with happiness, loved ones, and relaxation. May your cup overflow and may you find some well-deserved peace.
I’ll see you in 2026!
Quick Updates
Civics Competition for Middle School students: The 2026 National Civics Bee is inviting students in grades 6-8 to participate in this year’s competition. To officially enter the competition, students must submit a four-paragraph essay on how they would make a difference in their community. To find out more, go to the National Civics Bee’s application portal. Essays will be accepted through Feb. 3, 2026.
Iowa Teacher of the Year: Stephanie Pritts, a 23-year veteran elementary teacher and instructional coach, was named Iowa’s 2026 Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and who have made a significant impact on student outcomes. Established in 1958, the annual program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature. Honorees serve as ambassadors to schools, higher education, and communities across the state.
Des Moines Reinvestment District Plan Receives Final Approval: On April 22, 2022, the Merle Hay 28E Board was approved for a maximum benefit amount of $26.5 million for the Merle Hay Reinvestment District with a commencement date of October 1, 2023. In August 2025, the Merle Hay 28E Board proposed an amended district plan, which was reviewed and scored by an evaluation committee. The new project plan includes the development of Merle Hay Arena with volleyball and pickleball courts, a hotel, retailers, a credit union, and mixed-used housing opportunities. The amended Merle Hay Reinvestment District plan has been approved for the maximum benefit of $26.5 million with modified conditions. The projects within the reinvestment district area represent a $164 million investment.
DNR’s New Interactive Fishing Report: The Department of Natural Resource’s popular fishing report has been updated with new search and filter options including by location, fish species, and various amenities available at each location. The weekly fishing report is broken down by fisheries regions and management districts. You can check the activity of your favorite lake, pond, river, and stream within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), and simple tips and tricks for targeting a catch.
Improving Maternal and Child Health Access in Central Iowa: EveryStep Care & Support Services announced it had received funding from Molina Healthcare of Iowa to launch its new Suitcase Clinics initiative, aimed at reducing health disparities among women in Polk, Dallas, Madison, and Warren counties. The Suitcase Clinic offers comprehensive care to support individuals through every stage of reproductive health, including preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and child health. Services are offered outside traditional clinics and homes, in trusted and convenient community spaces such as human service agencies, churches and faith-based centers, food banks, and WIC offices.
Personalized Insight for Producers: The Farm Financial Planning Program from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach provides in-person experts who can offer one-on-one financial counseling, a computerized analysis of the farm business, and referral to other extension programs or outside services. Farm Financial Planning is for anyone who wants to gain a comprehensive understanding of their farm’s financial situation.
New Snowmobile Law Eases Permit Requirements: Iowa snowmobilers are no longer required to purchase and display an annual trail user permit, according to a new law that went into effect July 1, 2024. The law folded the trail user permit into the annual snowmobile registration fee, which will now be $30 plus administration fees. Snowmobilers who own a new machine or have not yet entered the snowmobile into the state registration system need to go to the County Recorder’s office in their county of residence to start the registration process. To renew an existing registration, visit the County Recorder or go online towww.gooutdoorsiowa.com.
$77 Million Awarded for Public Transit: The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $77.1 million to the Iowa DOT for upgrades and investments in public transit infrastructure. The DOT plans to use the money to purchase new buses and vans for over a dozen transit systems across the state, in addition to constructing or expanding several bus facilities for rural transit systems. It will also fund efforts in Ames and Iowa City to replace aging bus fleets with newer hybrid or biodiesel-powered models.
Explore Your Roots with SHSI and Ancestry.com! Interested in learning more about your ancestors? Thanks to a partnership between the State Historical Society of Iowa and Ancestry.com, users now have more than a million newly available records to search and access via the website. Iowans can access the records via SHSI’s Ancestry account at one of its research centers, or through a paid Ancestry.com account.
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