"I have the experience, the connections, the commitment, and the ability to be the best person to represent Iowa House District 76."

Telegraph note: Ahead of the November 8 General Election, Tama-Grundy Publishing sent out questionnaires to all of the declared candidates in the contested races in Tama County. We will print responses for the next three weeks in alphabetical order beginning with the Iowa House of Representatives; District 1 Supervisor and County Treasurer will print next week, followed by Iowa Senate.

Candidate Spotlight: State Representative District 76

Includes Traer, Dysart, and Buckingham areas.

KATE WYATT

Age: 45

Residence: Hudson

Family:

Education: Hudson High School, Hawkeye Community College, Upper Iowa University

Profession: Insurance Sales Agent – Dupaco Credit Union

1. Why are you the best candidate for this office – what differentiates you from your opponent?

I have been an elected member of the Hudson City Council for the past 9 years. During this time, I have served on the Public Safety Committee (committee chair for the last 5 years), the Mayor’s Task Force for Economic Development, and a liaison to the Hudson Chamber of Commerce and Grow Cedar Valley. I am a board member for the Cedar Valley Women Lead Change group, and served for 6 years as a board member on the Black Hawk County Gaming Association.

By being so involved in the community, I have worked to build my skills in many areas of government, business, schools, and more to gain contacts and knowledge to make me an effective leader. I can communicate with people of all different backgrounds, and make sure that decisions that I make in government represent what the people of my community and my district want.

2. What kind of legislator do you envision yourself to be? Are there any particular issues you would like to see addressed by the Iowa Legislature?

I will be a transparent and present legislator. I want to be sure to represent the people who live in House District 76. I plan to work across party aisles to make decisions to make Iowa a better place and put people over parties.

Mental Health Services – Iowa is in the bottom 10% of the country in access to mental health services. This is not acceptable. We need to work to find ways to attract and retain mental health professionals to live and work in our communities.

Rural EMS and healthcare – Our rural EMS do amazing jobs every day, but they need our help. We need to be able to assure Iowans that when they call 911 or need help, the help is going to be there for them. Funding programs in our schools to give young Iowans opportunities to learn about health care and EMS fields, supporting education assistance for health and emergency providers who agree to serve in underserved areas, making sure our rural emergency departments have the tools and people they need.

Economic development – We can promise tax breaks, or free land to as many companies as we want, but unless they have the people in the communities to staff their businesses, they aren’t going to locate here. We need to work to provide amenities that young people want to live, work, and play in our state. Bike trails, entertainment venues, river and water trails, historical sites, arts and culture. All things that are important to people who want to find a spot to make their home.

3. What sources do you consult when hoping to learn more about a particular issue?

I’m a relationship builder. As a legislator, there is no way to be an expert on every subject that comes across your plate. What I feel the job of a legislator is, is to build a network of experts that you can rely on to get information to make the best decisions for our state. I create a network for myself of people who I can call, email, text, or meet with to get information on their area of expertise.

4. Where do you stand on funding for public schools, particularly rural public schools like those in Tama County – is it adequate or otherwise? Further, what is your position on the Student First Scholarship Program (private school voucher bill) backed by Gov. Kim Reynolds?

Our public schools need more funding. We are preparing our kids for futures in a world we can’t even imagine, and in order to prepare them, our teachers need the tools and the support to ensure our kids not only can live in the world of tomorrow, but that they can thrive in the world of tomorrow.

Our public dollars belong in our public schools.

5. Where do you stand on access to abortion in Iowa?

Medical decisions should be made between a person and their medical professional. I do not feel this is a place that a government should be involved in.

6. Do you believe the Iowa legislature is doing enough to address/prepare for the changing climate – particularly as the issue relates to farmers? Why or why not?

I believe that our local family farmers in Iowa take great care of the land, water, and air that they touch every day. I think we need to use them as the experts to set realistic legislation for corporate farms that come from out of state and outside of the country to our Iowa fields.

7. If elected, what legislation will you support to ensure rural counties in Iowa like Tama County are places young families want to live and are able to live in the future?

We need to continue to support our amenities and highlight the natural resources in our communities, both big and small, to keep young people interested in staying in Iowa.

We also need to look at upgrading and maintaining our digital infrastructure to ensure Iowans have access to what they need.