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News from Des Moines

This week activity in the Senate was once again historic! The list of bills included bold tax relief, judicial reform, and the heartbeat bill. This embodies the constitutional approach and the values I said I would uphold. We delivered on: life, liberty, and justice.

Senate File 2281 would prohibit an abortion when a fetal heartbeat can be detected during an abdominal ultrasound test performed by a physician. The bill would direct the physician to inform the pregnant patient of the heartbeat, in writing, and explain an abortion cannot be performed. The pregnant woman would then sign an acknowledging receipt of the information. SF 2281 would prohibit an abortion unless, in the physician’s reasonable medical judgment, a medical emergency exists and would be necessary to protect the life of the mother.

On Wednesday Iowa Senate Republicans passed Iowa Working Families Tax Relief Act. This bill is bold, pro-growth tax relief. It provides working Iowans with an average of $1000 per year in tax relief. It cuts taxes by $1 billion. It treats taxpayers more fairly and simplifies the tax code.

Iowa has the fourth highest top individual tax rate in the country, higher than even Vermont and New Jersey. These rates inhibit growth because they hinder investment and discourage work. When Iowans have an incentive to work and invest, it attracts other employers and individuals to come to Iowa because they can realize their dreams of owning a home, saving for college, and providing for their families.

Senate Republicans are committed to reducing the tax burden on all Iowans and creating a simple, fair tax policy. These policies help career opportunities flourish and Iowans realize their dreams. I ran for office in order to help lower the tax burden on working Iowans. Low taxes, reasonable regulations, and a safe environment allow people to work, save, spend, and enjoy the greatest state in the country.

This week Sen. Dawson managed one of the largest criminal justice reforms in the last several decades, Senate File 2382. I appreciate his expertise and the bipartisan support for this major accomplishment.

The Best State in the Nation

US News & World Report announced this week that Iowa is the new number one state as a result of our top rankings in health care (#3), opportunity (#4), education (#5), and quality of life (#9). The report also praised Iowa’s goal of bringing high-speed internet to every corner of the state.

This report only cements what Iowans have long known: Iowa is the greatest place in this country to live. It is a great place to raise a family, put down roots and a great place to work. Not just in our big cities, but also in our rural communities and small towns.

This news is exciting for us as we work to make our state even better. We are constantly working to make our state more competitive with the states around us, make our business environment attractive for investment, and increase the number of career opportunities for Iowans.

Although Iowa was ranked #1, we must never let up. We need to continue to create a pro-business, pro-education, pro-Iowan, pro-American environment right here at home in Iowa.

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State Sen. Jeff Edler can be reached at (641) 751-5902 or jeff.edler@legis.iowa.gov

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