Kurtz and Taylor Visit Keokuk. pt. 1

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.

Kurtz spoke first and said most of his recent work has revolved around the AARP working in support of the CARE Act, which is done to help at home caregivers.

This includes helping them learn the proper techniques for medications and other issues.

Kurtz said he never had this issue when caring for his own parents in the past, but after talking with local resident, Chuck Betts, he discovered that nearly 50% of people do have issues with it.

There has also been work towards improving children’s mental health in the state of Iowa.

Both of these issues, Kurtz believes, are receiving bi-partisan support.

A recent point of contention for democrats at the state level has been the recent movement to changed the way Iowa Supreme Court Justices are chosen.

Kurtz believes this will take the non-partisan role out of play and it is moving in the wrong direction for the state.

“Iowa has been a model for the nation for decades. It’s fair, it’s impartial and it’s non-partisan,” Kurtz said. “I think the last thing we need in Iowa is for politics to take over our Judicial system.”

He went on to say the change would allow for the party that controls the Executive and Legislative Branches to also control the courts.

“The bill that’s under consideration this year is a power grab that threatens the checks-and-balances of our system of government,” Kurtz said.

Taylor also spoke on this issue, saying this movement may have stemmed from the Heartbeat Bill being ruled unconstitutional by the Court.

“That made them mad so they’re going to fix, fix, the way we pick our judges,” Taylor said.

Both mentioned Chief Justice Mark Cady as someone who would be impacted by the change. Judge Cady would have to go back up for re-appointment as the Chief Justice every two years.

Cady was originally appointed by former Iowa Governor Terry Brandstad (R), but voted against the bill and Taylor things they are going after him because of it.

“I think it’s terrible and even if my party was in charge, I would still think it’s terrible,” Taylor said. “Politics shouldn’t be in our courts.”

For further coverage of the Legislative Luncheon, read the story posted on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 12 PM.