There were quite a few major topics and issues that Iowa lawmakers had to deal with this legislative session.

District 47 State Representative Chip Baltimore says he had some highs and lows this session.  He was happy with the broadband and cell tower location legislation to try and connect every acre with high-speed internet access.

However, he was disappointed with two outcomes that were made.  The first was when the legislature decided to increase the gas tax by ten cents earlier this year.  He wasn’t in favor of the straight increase, but rather figuring out a different way to provide for the state’s infrastructure needs.

“Too much of it, I think, goes to urban Iowa (and) not enough goes to rural Iowa.  And we missed an opportunity to change that funding formula so that we can actually start solving some of the infrastructure problems and deficits that we have in rural Iowa.”

Another disappointment for Baltimore was that the Senate did not consider the House’s biochemical tax credit bill.  Baltimore notes that the bill would’ve given incentives to research and produce products from biochemicals.  He believes it would’ve created a new industry in Iowa, which could’ve replaced petroleum by-products.

Now that the session is over, Baltimore urges people to contact him with any issues to work on for next year’s session.

Baltimore’s email address is chip.baltimore@legis.iowa.gov and his cell phone number is 515-709-0325.