The Iowa state legislature starts the 2013 session on Monday. Most of Washington County is represented by two Republicans: Jarad Klein in the house, and Sandy Greiner in the senate.
But because of redistricting, the southernmost part of Washington County is in a different district. Residents of Crawfordsville, Coppock, and Brighton are in a district that also includes Mount Pleasant. That district is represented by Republican David Heaton in the house, and Democrat Rich Taylor in the Senate.
All four will be at a monthly Washington Chamber of Commerce legislative briefing at the Washington County Courthouse one week from today. The briefing starts at 10. It includes reports from the legislators and then time for questions from the audience. This first briefing will likely not center on active bills, because it comes so early in the session. Legislators usually talk about their priorities and outlook for proposed legislation.
For some of the committee assignments, Klein is the vice-chair of the Ag Committee, and he is vice-chair of Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations. Greiner is ranking member of Agriculture Ethics, and ranking member of Natural Resources and Environment. Heaton is Chair of the Health and Human Services Appropriation. Taylor is vice-chair of the Agriculture committee.
Each chamber of Iowa’s legislature is lead by different political parties. The Senate is majority Democrats, and the House is majority Republicans.