Americans are accustomed to hearing endlessly about legislative gridlock in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, that seems to be a situation likely to persist for the foreseeable future.

Here in Iowa, the Republican Party controls both houses of the Legislature. Since our state also has a Republican governor, the opportunity exists for state-level lawmakers to accomplish a great deal. The recently concluded legislative session demonstrated that the GOP was ready and able to use its strength in numbers to enact a broad array of important legislation.

At an Eggs and Issues forum held at Iowa Central Community College on June 19, three area lawmakers – Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, Fort Dodge, Sen. Jesse Green, Harcourt, and Rep. Ann Meyer, Fort Dodge – shared their reflections on the Legislature’s 2021 record. All three are key members of the Republican majority.

Changes in tax laws were touted as of huge importance and seen as a major reason Iowans should applaud the Legislature’s work this year. Those modifications include a phase out of the inheritance tax, permitting income tax reductions passed in 2018 to take effect sooner than originally planned, and a state takeover of the financing of mental health and disability services.

These tax changes will benefit many area residents and are supported strongly by this newspaper.

Meyer, who is a nurse, has been a leader in advocating improved state policies regarding an array of health care issues. She has become recognized by her colleagues as a voice that should be heeded. Meyer said that a change enacted this year that will allow mental health services provided electronically – telemedicine – to be paid for equitably will help alleviate some of the problems in rural Iowa concerning access to mental health care. The Messenger strongly agrees and congratulates Meyer on helping to bring about this worthy change.

Meyer also has been a strong champion of strengthening the ability of law enforcement to counter the use of handheld electronic devices, such as cellphones, by drivers. Sadly, her proposed legislation didn’t move forward this year. We urge her to continue to press this issue when the Legislature convenes in January 2022. Reducing distracted driving is a cause that warrants prompt attention.

Among the many accomplishments of the Legislature this year was increased support for making broadband access more widely available to Iowans. We are pleased that our Kraayenbrink, Green and Meyer helped bring that about.

Green said he believed that the 2021 legislative session “is going down as one of the most productive in our generation.” We think that assessment is very much on target. The Messenger is delighted that area lawmakers were a positive force in helping make that record of accomplishment possible.