Ann Meyer

Before she can begin debating bills and voting on them, state Rep.-elect Ann Meyer needed to learn the ins and outs of working in the state Capitol.

So Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge, joined all the other newly elected lawmakers in Des Moines for the Legislature’s version of freshmen orientation. She was also present for two days of House Republican caucus meetings.

Her experiences during all those sessions ranged from discussing weighty policy issues to figuring out where the committee meeting rooms are located.

Meyer said she was impressed by all that she saw and learned.

“I’m so grateful to everyone for giving me the opportunity to serve in this magnificent place,” she said. “I am here to listen to everyone. I am committed to serving.”

She will put her newfound knowledge to work beginning Monday, when the Legislature will convene.

Meyer will represent House District 9, which includes Badger, Clare, Duncombe, Fort Dodge, Vincent and rural areas of northern Webster County. She defeated Megan Srinivas, a Fort Dodge Democrat, in the November general election. She’s replacing state Rep. Helen Miller, D-Fort Dodge, who retired after 16 years in the Legislature.

She was among the new legislators who attended two days of orientation in the Capitol in December. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, of Fort Dodge, addressed the group.

Later, there was what Meyer called a “very extensive tour of the capitol.”

“The building is absolutely beautiful,” she said.

Also during the orientation, the new lawmakers learned about procedures and rules of decorum, according to Meyer.

She returned to the Capitol for two days of House Republican caucus meetings. During those meetings, the Republicans discussed what did and did not work for them in the 2018 election, she said. They also talked about policy.

Meyer said she has hired Victoria Johnson to serve as her clerk. Johnson is a Stratford native who served as a House page in 2014.

After the lawmakers take their oath of office Monday, the first order of business will be picking their seats in the House chamber. As a new lawmaker, Meyer figures she’ll be one of the last ones to pick a seat.

She said she’s already been contacted by representatives of groups that want to talk to her about issues she didn’t even know existed.

“It’s opened my eyes to all the issues that are going on in our state,” she said.