Kurtz and Taylor Visit Keokuk, pt. 2

The Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce presented the second of four Legislative Luncheons at the Hawkeye Restaurant on Friday afternoon.

State Representative Jeff Kurtz (D) and State Senator Rich Taylor (D) returned to the Power City to inform their constituents about recent happenings in Des Moines.

This is part two of our coverage of the luncheon.

Outside of the justice appointment change, education was a major discussion topic for both men.

Kurtz spoke on the issue and said he believes there is not being done to improve the education experience for students outside of preparing them for a job.

“Education can enrich our lives in so many ways. It gives us a broader perspective of life in general and we really need to emphasize that more,” Kurtz said. “We’re not just training drones to go into the workforce.”

Taylor talked more about the funding changes from the Senate this year.

He said republicans passed what is called their allowable growth at 2.06%.

According to Taylor, to keep up with inflation they needed 2.6% and the approved amount is below the 2.3% recommended by Governor Kim Reynolds.

Part of the funding is also coming out of the Area Education Association funding in the amount of $22 million. Taylor said this drops the percentage down closer to 1.6%.

This can have a negative effect on smaller schools, potentially in Keokuk’s case, nearly $500,000 due to a drop in enrollment.

“If your numbers drop, plus you don’t give enough funding, it really hurts our local schools, especially our small, rural schools,” Taylor said.

Taylor also mentioned a movement to potentially approve the growing of agricultural hemp in the state.

Iowa currently uses hemp, but has to import it from other states.

Farmers would be limited to about 40 acres to a lot and would pay $500 for approval.

Other approvals included a committee approving a Constitutional Carry measure and a potential bill to give amnesty to underage drinkers who call 9-1-1 in the event of another person suffering from alcohol poisoning.

Taylor also reintroduced a bill to work with the taxing of people who own a dilapidated property.

It would give a local government entity the option to potentially freeze taxes for the owner for a max of ten years to allow them to improve the location.

He said this was a bill he introduced in the past and did not receive much support, but things have changed.

“Surprisingly, everybody’s behind it, this is the best idea since toast,” Taylor said.

The next Legislative Luncheon will also be at the Hawkeye Restaurant beginning at noon on March 22.