With the 2020 Iowa legislative session now in the rear-view mirror, legislators have had the chance to reflect on a year that was unlike any the state has ever seen.

District 10 State Senator Jake Chapman (R) says the extended recess of the session brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic was a big roadblock this year, though he’s happy with how things ended up progressing. “It was very unconventional, but I think it was still a successful legislative session. I think we passed roughly 130 bills over the course of the legislative session; some really good bills in my opinion. And in a lot of ways we still had a very successful year despite the fact that we had COVID-19 that we were dealing with.”

Some specific bills Chapman was excited they got done included: the unanimously approved police reform bill; the tax protection on coronavirus relief funds for individuals and businesses; enhancing penalties for those convicted of animal cruelty; expanding the medical cannibus program; providing additional school funding to address behavior health; and getting a 24-hour waiting period on abortions. Looking to the next session, Chapman says people can look forward to more discussion on a sales tax increase and income tax decrease, as well as constitutional amendments on felon voting rights restoration and abortion rights.

To learn more about the 2020 Iowa General Assembly, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.