THORUP: Holding the line for Life Amendment, reviewing tax structure are big priorities

Editor’s note: The following is the second of four articles detailing the points of interest and goals of local legislators representing Jasper County as they enter into the next legislative session. Iowa Legislature is currently scheduled to convene on Jan. 10, 2022.

During his next session at the legislature, Iowa State Rep. Jon Thorup, R-rural Knoxville, wants to focus on the progress of the anti-abortion constitutional amendment and tax structure to help all Iowans. The legislator also wants to make sure the state has “the best system achievable in terms of preparedness.”

Representing Iowa House District 28, Thorup’s region covers much of the southern portion of Jasper County, including Lynnville, Monroe, Reasnor and Sully. Thorup also represents larger communities outside Jasper County, such as Knoxville and Pleasantville.

Thorup is a member of the administration and rules, agriculture, natural resources, public safety and transportation committees, and he also serves on the International Relations Committee and the Criminal Justice Information System Advisory Committee.

Last legislative session, Thorup prioritized responsible budgeting, mental health and helping small businesses. One issue he helped with last year and was proud of was emergency medical services being labeled an essential service.

“The bill we passed isn’t perfect by any means and it need some tinkering, but it’s hopefully going to help a lot of rural Iowa where there just aren’t volunteers like there used to be,” Thorup said. “…At least we have the map laid out for the tax ramifications of an essential service.”

LIFE AMENDMENT

Thorup said his top priority might be a little different than what other legislators might say. The “Life Amendment” will not be voted on again until 2023; however, keeping the coalition of votes together “is going to take work to keep that gelled throughout the course of this next session,” he said. Particularly with redistricting.

“Different people are going to be in primaries with other people, so there’s going to be a lot of — what I would say — angst. I’m sure there will be. I haven’t gone through redistricting before, but the old salts that have been around say, ‘Yeah, redistricting can do weird things,’” Thorup said.

So by “holding the line” of supportive legislators, Thorup suggested the Life Amendment has a better chance of passing in 2023. In order for the proposed constitutional amendment to pass, it must be approved by two successive general assemblies, Thorup added.

“Once that happens, assuming it does, then it goes to ballot on the next election,” he said. “Then we let the people vote on it. It’s kind of a three-step system.”

Years ago the Iowa Supreme Court said in the state constitution there is an inherent right an abortion. Thorup claimed the Life Amendment doesn’t make abortion illegal, but says the state constitution does not provide for it.

TAX STRUCTURE

Legislators are always wanting to improve the tax structure, Thorup said, in order for the state to attract more industry and better jobs available to communities. If the state wants to attract more people to the state and keep them here, Thorup said it is important to have a competitive tax system.

“We’re going to continue working on lowering that where we can and try to encourage more people to stay and to come (to Iowa),” Thorup said. “…(Industry leaders) put out great products, but if they can’t get enough people to come work for them — I think they’re always wanting to get people in.”

The tax structure should be inviting for people and should encourage businesses to spend more money and hire as many people as they can, Thorup added.

“We want to make Iowa more attractive to businesses and bring good jobs with it,” he said.

Similarly, fellow Republican lawmaker Jon Dunwell of Iowa House District 29 also prioritized taxes for this upcoming session. Dunwell sees reducing state income tax as a top priority and believes there will be legislation proposed at this upcoming session he would support.

POST-PANDEMIC PREPARDNESS

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of almost every aspect of people’s lives. Thorup said the state needs to keep up with “all of the different things” that need changed or don’t need changed. For instance, what does Iowa Department of Public Health need to prepare itself for any future pandemics.

“There are just a lot of things we need to revisit and look at, and that’s put in through the code book,” Thorup said. “There are all kinds of stuff in there we need. Is this good? Did this work? Is it going to work a year from now or whatever? I don’t know.”

Establishing better financial preparedness might be a good start. Thorup said when the state was shut down there were a lot of businesses that were forced to closed and never re-opened. Others are still struggling. Thorup said the state wants to help those businesses as much as they can.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com