Though schedules are still being set, our local lawmakers are planning to once again hold town hall meetings and legislative coffee talks in communities across their districts this session.

State Representative Ralph Watts says he’s hopeful that attendance will increase this year.

“A lot of times what we find, when we normally hold our town hall meetings on Saturday mornings, that’s a day off and people are looking to do other things so we don’t have a lot of attendance at them.  I’m hoping we can get some good input in the town hall meetings (this year).  I get a good response back on my newsletter as well, which is always helpful, but it would be nice at the town hall meetings to have some direct one-on-one, eyeball-to-eyeball conversation” says Watts.

State Senator Jake Chapman echoes Representative Watt’s sentiments and encourages constituents to vocalize their questions, comments or concerns.

“That’s what makes our government work.  We are a representative democracy, we elect representatives to represent us so the most important thing is having your voice heard” says Chapman.  “I’ve always said that I’m elected by my district but I represent all Iowans, my vote impacts all Iowans and so regardless of whether they live in Senate District 10 or not I’m always an ear and willing to listen to what Iowans have to say.”

Future town hall dates will be announced when they become official, though both lawmakers say they can be reached at any time via telephone or email.