State Rep. Derek Wulf (R-Hudson).

The 90th General Assembly of the lowa House of Representatives is officially in session, and this year will prove to bring some big agenda items to continue to make low the greatest state in the nation to live and raise a family. I take great pride representing my constituents in House District 76 covering Black Hawk, Tama and a portion of Benton counties. The last two weeks have been busy hitting the ground running during the Legislative session doing the people’s work with my committee assignments within Agriculture, State Government, Transportation and Ways & Means.

Growing up, and now raising my family in the agriculture community, I share a passion among lowans for the Agricultural Industry and am humbled to be serving this year as Vice-Chair of this committee. In addition, many bills are starting to hit subcommittees and it has been an honor to chair many of those subcommittees already as a new member, making sure we have robust discussions to ensuring these new bills will benefit all lowans in a positive way.

It is no surprise that this session is kicking off with the much-discussed Students First Act, and by the time you read this, it will most likely be getting discussed on the house floor already. Whether you agree or disagree with what the bill does, I encourage you to read it as there is a lot of misinformation that continues to swirl as we take up the topic at the Capitol. I will highlight three main things the bill does that seems to not be talked about much. 1) The bill increases the investment by the state in the area of K-12 education (to both public and private schools) through FY 2027. I have attached a graph that shows exactly what that looks like going forward. 2) This bill allows school districts the flexibility to use unspent and ongoing categorical funding specifically for teacher salary and/or bonuses with the ever growing balances almost all school districts in lowa are accumulating, some at a very significant amount. 3) A new funding stream is created with this bill that pays approximately $1205 per student for each student who resides in the district, retained by the public school should the student decide to choose a non-public option. Being a product of a great community public school, and now having two daughters that attend that same great school, please understand that as we discuss this bill, I have a vested interest to make sure our public schools, and especially our rural schools stay strong for generations to come. I do however also believe that tax dollars belong to “we the people” who pay them in our state, and it should be left up to the parents; parents know how and where their children best learn, and should be able to put their child in the environment that gives them the greatest opportunity for success.

I have always admired the allegiance of our service members in all branches of the United States Military. Celebrating Veterans Day on the Hill last week, I was so encouraged to see families and representatives thanking them for their service. Meeting the next generation leaders in District 76 of the United States Air Force CAP’S Civilian Air Patrol Cadets Team, I was inspired to hear their stories and commitment they have made to our county. The condition of the next generation of leaders in District 76 is strong. I am confident in their abilities as they strive to represent the State of lowa to highest regards.

Feel free to reach out via email: DEREK.WULF@LEGIS.IOWA.GOV.

GRAPH COURTESY OF REP. DEREK WULF

Rep. Wulf’s district includes the communities of Traer, Dysart, and Buckingham in Tama County.