Ames representatives give preview of 2022 as Iowa’s Legislature begins its new session

After the start of a new legislative session, Ames' representatives shared their plans for the new session as well as their thoughts on policies that have already been proposed.  

Republicans outnumber Democrats 60-40 in the House and 22-18 in the Senate. Many Republicans, including Gov. Reynolds, face the midterm election this November.

Senator Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames) said that one of his key issues for the year would be funding for K-12 schools. He said Gov. Reynolds' proposed increase of 2.5 percent in funding is not enough because inflation over the past year was around six to seven percent.

"The dollars don't matter so much as what the dollars can buy," said Quirmbach. "For example, if your boss gives you a thousand dollar raise that sounds great, but if you find out your cost of living has gone up three thousand dollars, you're not a thousand dollars ahead, you're two thousand dollars behind."