Iowa’s legislature convened for the 2017 session Monday. Following November’s election results, Iowa’s House and Senate are now a Republican majority and the governor’s seat is also held by a Republican. Democratic Senator Kevin Kinney says he wants to continue to advocate for Medicaid oversight and education funding. He adds with the Republicans controlling the chambers, it is up to Republican leaders to set the agendas for items to be brought up.

Republican Representative Dave Heaton says the budget will need to be addressed first, as there is a $130 million shortfall. Heaton explained each budget chair is assigned to finding a certain amount of savings, and Heaton has to find about $12 million and has been going through each line item to identify such reductions.

You can meet with the four representatives of Washington County – Kinney, Heaton, Representative Jarad Klein and Senator Rich Taylor at legislative briefings each month during the session. The briefings will be held Saturdays at the Washington County Courthouse January 21, February 18 and March 18 from 10 a.m. to noon.