Dean Fisher

What do you feel are the three most important issues Iowa will be facing during your term as a state representative? How do you plan to address those issues?

The legislature works on many important issues simultaneously. The state budget is a high priority, maintaining a balanced and predictable budget that keeps our spending down is important for government agencies and for our economy. Other priorities include growing our workforce to fill jobs waiting to be filled. Health care is a priority as we continue to work to attract health care professionals, and to keep health insurance costs down. Protecting life is a priority, as is protecting our right to keep and bear arms. Expanding broadband, increasing child care options, and many other priorities have been addressed in legislation by the Republicans.

Some say the Legislature has become too partisan and divided. How would you try to overcome that?

The majority of bills passed in any legislative session are bipartisan in nature. Roughly 90 percent are bipartisan with only about 10 percent being party line votes.

What is important is not bipartisanship, but progress. We have maintained a balanced and responsible budget. Our budgeting has kept Iowa in great financial shape and able to weather this pandemic. For years, Democrats claimed our budget was shortchanging programs and pushed to increase spending. Republicans passed a resolution to add the right to keep and bear arms to the Iowa Constitution. Democrats voted against this resolution. Should Republicans stand down in order to appease cries of partisanship and divisiveness? Of course not, because it’s the right thing to do.

What steps will you take to ensure Iowa schools are adequately funded?

K-12 funding is at an all-time high and has increased by nearly $1 billion. K-12 education is the largest part of the budget and gets the first bite of the apple. The Republican legislature has continued to work towards solving problems of rural schools with funding to resolve transportation cost inequities. Public education in Iowa has not been cut over the last decade since Republicans gained control of the House and the governor’s office in 2011. Republicans have kept their promise and schools have been able to count on the funding promised.

What role do you think the state should play in economic development? What should the state be doing for economic development?

State government’s role in economic development should be aimed at keeping the budget balanced and taxes low so businesses have a low cost environment. State government should be working towards reducing regulatory burdens. Before the COVID pandemic hit, Iowa’s biggest roadblock to growth was skilled employees. We’ve increased funding for our Community Colleges, and the governor created and the legislature passed the Future Ready Iowa program to encourage more people to train for skilled jobs.

The state needs to seek ways to reduce business taxes. We continue to offer incentives for business to locate and expand, but we should focus on lowering the tax burden for businesses, negating the need for targeted incentives.

Why do you think voters should support your candidacy for state representative?

First and foremost, they should support me because I have values that are in line with the values of the majority of the folks in this district. I have a farm background so I understand that industry and the challenges farmers face. I’ve worked in factories and offices as an engineer, engineering manager, and business manager, so I understand the issues facing people that work in factories and offices. For the past eight years I’ve demonstrated the ability to carry those values to the state capitol and implement them. I’ve been successful in lowering taxes, keeping spending down, protecting the unborn, protecting our right to keep and bear arms, protecting our right to farm, and reduced burdens on job creators. I was the lead sponsor on the Safe At Home legislation that helps victims of domestic violence regain their safety. District 72 needs a Representative that understands this district and will fight for values, and I am a proven quantity in that effort.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATE:

Age: 63

Residence: Montour

Hometown: Montour

Profession: Electronics Engineering, Farming, Legislator    

Family: My wife Vicki and her two children’s families

Experience: 26 years of experience in the electronics industry as an engineer, engineering manager, business manager, ten years raising cattle, 8 years in the legislature

Website:

DeanFisher.com