As the 89th Iowa General Assembly has wrapped up, some legislation didn’t pass. 

State Senator for District 10 Jake Chapman says legislation involving big tech companies that would eliminate tax break benefits for those companies who censor speech couldn’t quite make it out of the session. Despite that, Chapman says the issue will not be going away, and one of the reasons the bill didn’t get passed was due to differences in language between the House and Senate.  

“The big difference is right now as it sits the House’s language would only apply to elected officials. Our language in the Senate would apply to all Iowans. We feel very strongly here in the Senate that Iowans deserve protection, particularly their constitutional rights to free speech. 

Chapman tells Raccoon Valley Radio the issue is still a viable topic for the next session. 

“I think the fact that Florida has now signed into law their big tech censorship bill I think will create even more momentum for other states to follow, to be bold when it comes to these issues. There is no question social media platforms have become the public square of the 21st century.”

Chapman feels optimistic that something will get done when lawmakers get together again in session next year.