Warme

One of the highlights of my week was attending the official dedication of the Veterans Memorial at the Marshall County Courthouse on March 29. The new memorial pays tribute to veterans from World War I to the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During the ceremony, I took a moment to acknowledge the strength and resilience of our state and nation. I shared with those gathered, “There are democracies across the world that have not survived, but here in America, we have. We can disagree on the little things, but we can come together and celebrate that we are brave, we are strong here in our state, we are Iowa nice, and we’re working together to preserve this democracy for the future.” Marshalltown, known as the “veterans capital” of our state, now has this beautiful monument to reflect on the sacrifices that have shaped our freedom. I am excited for future generations to visit and honor those who served.

Switching gears to the legislative front, the Senate Commerce Committee passed House File 639, which focuses on expanding protections for landowners and strengthening private property rights in Iowa. I voted for the amended version of the bill, which includes several provisions designed to offer broad protections that apply to all pipeline and utility projects, including:

Reducing the need for eminent domain by expanding the use of voluntary easements, allowing companies to go off a planned path for a project and find landowners who are willing to work with them.

Strong land restoration requirements, ensuring that agricultural land is returned to its pre-construction state, any damage caused by projects is repaired, and additional protections for drain tile, crop loss, and soil restoration are in place.

Placing liability for damages squarely on facility operators, so landowners are not held responsible for any issues arising from the installation, operation or failure of these facilities.

In addition to property rights, property taxes have also been a hot topic in recent weeks, as many Iowans are receiving their property assessment letters in the mail. As assessments continue to rise, I understand the pressure this puts on homeowners. I’ve heard from many of you, and your feedback is invaluable as we work toward meaningful property tax reform. Despite major reforms passed in 2023, the concerns are still significant and I’m committed to pushing for solutions that provide relief to taxpayers while maintaining funding to key services we receive from cities, counties and schools. An updated version of the property tax reform bill is expected soon, and I’ll keep you informed as we move forward.

Finally, I was involved extensively with HF 933, known as Mason’s Law, brought forward by a passionate mom, Shanna, who lost her son, Mason, to cancer and traveled out of state for his palliative care. This bill, championed by Rep. Dean Fisher in the House, would add to Iowa code the option for pediatric palliative care centers (PPCCs) for children facing chronic, life-threatening illnesses. These centers would provide much-needed respite and hospice care for children under 21, giving families access to specialized care that meets the unique needs of their children. KCCI did a moving story on Mason’s Law, which passed through the Senate HHS Committee on Thursday.

As we continue to push for reforms in these key areas, I’m optimistic that we are on the right path to making Iowa a better place for all of us. As always, I remain thankful that I can serve you and represent your voices in the Capitol.

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Kara Warme, a Republican from Ames, represents District 26 in the Iowa Senate.