DES MOINES –– Dozens of lawmakers are filling up the statehouse this week as the beginning of the 2020 session takes place.
Rep. Pat Grassley was selected by the House as Speaker for the first time. Grassley, a Republican from northeastern Iowa, is the grandson of Sen. Chuck Grassley. The senior was at the ceremony Monday morning. In his speech to members, he called for unity.
“This session, I want to show Iowans that we are not like our counterparts in Washington DC … that when there are opportunities to work together, we actually do work together. Much of the work we do here is bipartisan, but unfortunately, it’s the very few controversial issues that grab headlines. I want this body to demonstrate that when we come to Des Moines, we are here to address the issues that Iowans have brought to us…” said Grassley.
This is the fourth year in a row that Republicans will enter a legislative session with a trifecta: they control both chambers and the governor’s mansion.
Among the top issues GOP leaders told Local 5 that they want to cover in 2020: child care, workforce development, and Medicaid, among other topics.
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) will deliver her Condition of the State speech Tuesday morning. In this address, Reynolds will outline her priorities for the session.