DES MOINES, Iowa — The start of Iowa's 2024 legislative session is just three weeks away and lawmakers are beginning to lay out their agendas.
Both Iowa House Republicans and Iowa House Democrats have been speaking to Iowans throughout the year, listening to their biggest concerns. Now, legislators on both sides of the aisle are emphasizing a "constituents-first" approach.
"I think what's important is to remember that we're here to serve constituents and the voters, and our job is to represent what they want us to do," said House Democratic Leader Rep. Jennifer Konfrst (D-Windsor Heights).
House Republicans plan to focus on improving public education, public safety and providing Iowans tax relief. They say these priorities are based off of direct feedback from Iowans across all 99 counties.
"We're obviously going into a session this year where we really want to lay out what our vision looks like for the state of Iowa," said Speaker Rep. Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford). "We've been on a really good trajectory when it comes to budgeting, tax policy. We've done a lot to make sure that there's opportunity in education."
House Democrats heard feedback through town halls, leading them to work on addressing public education, reproductive rights and legalizing marijuana this session.
"We are hearing over and over again that Iowans are very concerned about school vouchers," Konfrst said. "They're very worried about public money going to private schools that aren't accountable and that don't have to accept everyone. It comes up at every single forum."
Grassley noted tax relief for Iowans could be first on Republicans' to-do list.
"That's something we're going to be hearing a lot about and what can we do about it," Grassley said. "We look at that as probably the fastest thing we can do as a state to try and impact the pressure Iowans are facing."
After a controversial 2023 session, lawmakers are looking for bipartisan compromises from both sides.
"We're ready to work, we want to work together, we think we can find bipartisan solutions, we just need the other side to come to the table," Konfrst said.
Despite having a majority in the house, Republicans still expect their legislation to have bipartisan support.
"We think a lot of these topics actually should have some bipartisan support," Grassley said. "I don't think there's going to be, there shouldn't be a significant debate on expecting kids to be in the classroom, cooperating in the classroom and allowing teachers to teach."
Both Republicans and Democrats say that the best way to contact them about your concerns during the legislative session is through email.
The legislative session begins on Jan. 8, 2024.