All posts by Jack Whitver

If you are not plugged in to the legislative process, one might think Tuesday that the Iowa Senate was not in session. The Iowa Senate was indeed in session, and spent the day passing legislation honoring our veterans, enhancing protections to keep our children safe and bolstering Iowa’s computer science…

The first funnel week is one of the most important weeks of any legislative. It marks the first big hurdle for any piece of legislation. At the beginning of the session, all 150 legislators submit their ideas for legislation in bill form. These ideas come from a variety of sources:…

Senate Republicans are excited about the opportunity to move forward legislation that grows our economy, assists our job creators and makes Iowa a great place to do business, live and raise our children. Senate File 1 is a good start in making this a vision a reality. I want to…

On the opening day of the 2017 legislative session I supported and co-sponsored four bills along with 28 Senate Republican colleagues. These are the only four bills that I sponsored this year. One of the first four bills Senate Republicans offered in January focused on fiscal responsibility.Iowans expect their elected…

In my opening day speech, I encouraged my Senate colleagues to think big, be bold and make lasting reforms that would have a positive impact on Iowa for generations to come. They were not words in an opening day tradition, but rather more of a vision – a roadmap so…

One of the greatest moments in my day is taking my children to school. It is a great feeling to see the excitement in their eyes and hear the enthusiasm in their voices. As a parent, I fully understand the value of our children receiving a quality education. When Rachel…

The legislative process is in full swing at the Statehouse. Traditionally, much of the first week is dedicated to formal speeches and settling back into the Capitol. By the second and third weeks, lawmakers begin filing their bills and legislation is assigned to committees for consideration. As the Senate President,…

Since being elected in 2010 to the Iowa Senate, I have discussed a vision of mine with constituents and Iowans – tax reform. It is a topic that deserves to be discussed. Iowa ranks among the worst in regards to tax climate. Tax reform is an issue that deserves to…

Ankeny residents received a surprise in the mail last week from the Polk County Assessor. Many people have contacted me about the drastic increase to their assessment and property taxes. On a seemingly different note, the largest issue left facing the legislature is setting the funding level for K-12 education.…