~by State Senator Jesse Green
April 30, 2021
It is hard to believe that we are in week 16 already. It is sad that this first session is almost over. The last day for the Senate clerks at the Capitol was Thursday. It was a particularly somber moment to give my clerk Sue one last hug before we parted ways for the summer. She was certainly one of the greatest joys for me this session. I am thrilled she is not sick of me yet and said she would return to help me next year!
Business at the Capitol has slowed down. Due to this, I have been having more time to reflect on this first year in office. Many of us do not know what our weaknesses are until there is enough pressure or work load to reveal them. It is obvious now I have a very tough time multi-tasking. I have always been suspicious this was the case, but now it is confirmed to be true. Due to this suspicion last year, I was fortunate to plan ahead of time and hire my amazing nephew Braden to take my place on the farm for field work so I can fully focus on adjusting to the Capitol.
I had no idea what kind of commitment this new position would take. I realized early on during the campaign process that there is no end to what one can stay occupied with in this environment. There is always another email to answer or write. There is always another phone call one can make. There is always another door that could be knocked, or a city council member or county elected official to touch base with. There is always another bill to read, or another bill idea to research out.
I admire those in the state legislature that have the ability to turn their focus to other things but still serve their districts and families well. For example, I think of our former Senator Jerry Behn often. He was first elected about the same age as me, but was raising a family, as well as being the main manager of his farm. My respect for him was already very high, but now after seeing first hand what all he had to juggle in order to do a good job, my respect for him is through the roof. He is truly a great and honorable man!
As far as policy updates are concerned, the two big headline grabbers this week were vaccine passports, and the governor’s signing of the broadband bill.
The Senate Commerce Committee moved a bill this week forbidding what has become known as vaccine passports in Iowa. Senate File 610 forbids the inclusion of vaccination status information on government-issued ID and forbid businesses and Iowa government entities to require vaccination as a condition for access to their premises. This bill would not apply to employees of these entities and would not apply to health care facilities. It also still allows the use of COVID-19 screenings in these entities.
The reason for this bill is because of increasing concern about requirements to show proof of vaccination in order to shop, go to sporting events, or other routine activities in our daily lives. There are a number of reasons a person should not have to show this piece of medical data, including personal privacy and individual freedom.
On Wednesday Governor Kim Reynolds signed the broadband legislation sent to her by the House and the Senate. The bill changes the broadband facility expansion grant program to set new matching percentages for grants, establish new minimum service speeds for qualifying projects, and change certain factors used in evaluating grant applications. The legislature has agreed to dedicate $100 million to broadband and expanding access in the state.
In closing for this weekly update, I would especially like to congratulate Webster County supervisor Mark Campbell. I do not believe anything in life happens by chance. I would not be here in the Senate today if it wasn’t for his encouragement. We all need a Mark Campbell in our life, and God certainly had our paths cross many times for a reason. This week was special to witness him officially be confirmed to the Racing and Gaming Commission. Mark has the leadership skills that has caught many people’s eyes, so much so that the governor and other elected officials desire him to be serving in state office as well. Central Iowa is blessed to have him represent us in many different capacities.
As leadership is negotiating the budgets, I’m going to try to transition back to farm life a little more. It’ll be interesting to see if I can possibly shut my mind off of legislative business. This has been such a rewarding experience, I can’t thank you enough for this honor. As always, I am here for you, so feel free to call me at 515-351-9761 with any issues you have on your mind.
Happy trails until we meet again next week!
