Voters in Iowa Senate District 24 will choose between State Sen. Mike Green (R) and Margaret Liston (D) to represent them in the Iowa Senate.
Located in central Iowa, the district includes Boone, Greene and Guthrie Counties and parts of Dallas and Story Counties. Green is the incumbent candidate and was first elected in 2020.
Green was born in Harcourt, Iowa, and is a fifth-generation farmer. He attended Emmaus Bible College and Iowa Central Community College. Green previously served as secretary of the Webster County Farm Bureau Board and treasurer and chairman of the Dayton Rodeo and Celebration Committee.
Liston was born in Perry, Iowa, and raised in Beaver, Iowa. She earned her associate degree in nursing from DMACC and later pursued a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Liston has a master’s degree in public administration. She is currently serving her fifth term as councilwoman for the city of Ogden.
The following interviews with Green and Liston were conducted by email:
How do you plan to help Iowans struggling to find affordable childcare?
Green: “We have done quite a bit since Covid to help expand access points to child care. Also, this summer, the state helped provide more information to parents about availability by launching a website. With better information and access there has been much improvement with this issue. I will continue to keep a close eye to see if more needs to be done.”
Liston: “Iowans are struggling to find quality childcare with little support or solutions. Iowa ranks 39th in the nation for preschool funding. To address this, I will research successful strategies from other states. Many states are expanding vouchers or subsidies and raising the income threshold to assist more middle-income families. Another possibility is reimbursing providers based on enrollment rather than attendance. Additionally, offering sibling discounts, local assistance, scholarships to individual care providers, and military discounts can further support families in need. I support partnering with larger companies to provide onsite daycare that includes both wellness and sick care. Expanding daycare services in public schools while offsetting college costs for students is another viable solution. I believe a solution is possible by identifying stakeholders; daycare owners, parents, businesses, educators, and upper-level educators.”
Where do you stand on reproductive rights for Iowans?
Liston: “My stance on reproductive rights is that women should determine their own reproductive healthcare decisions. Women’s healthcare is private. All medical healthcare is private no matter who you are. So why is the government dictating what women can and cannot do with their bodies? A politician is never more qualified than the person, the family, and the physician to determine the best decision for their circumstances. How is it okay to make a child just starting into puberty that has been assaulted or raped be denied access to safe abortion care? I find this reprehensible legislation by our republican representatives.”
Green: “Policy must be made that strikes a balance between the rights and health of both the mother and the baby. I believe the Heartbeat Bill with exemptions has come close to striking that balance. Most of society believes that abortion should not be used as a contraceptive, and most of society respects the reality of what a human heartbeat is. The older generation must recognize that much has changed in our society since the 1970’s such as better access to contraceptives, education, habits, and opinions around this topic. Iowa has also passed many new policies that help support new mothers. Let’s continue to be compassionate and find common ground to be a state that supports a culture of life.”
What is your stance on lawmakers funding private school vouchers over public education?
Green: “I can’t think of a better way to create a more civil society, and respect the values of every Iowa parent, than to allow a portion of their taxes follow their children into the accredited educational environment that best reflects their values. Every student and family is unique and has different needs. A one-size fits all education environment is a ceiling to achieving greater success in Iowa. In just one year, we have seen many new parents and new teachers moving into the state because of this policy. I campaigned on higher teacher pay and smaller class sizes and I have already been able to deliver on that promise due to the Governor’s leadership by passing the largest teacher pay increase in Iowa history and ESA’s. Iowa is without a doubt the best place to teach and raise a family in the Midwest in my opinion.”
Liston: “I disagree with the Education Savings Account (vouchers) system. Our public schools are the heart of our communities, especially in rural Iowa, where robust public schools are essential for keeping communities thriving. Currently, forty-one counties do not have any public schools, and twenty-four counties have only one private school. This creates significant transportation issues for parents, making it clear that this is not a true school choice. Instead, it results in Iowans’ tax dollars leaving counties with limited or no private schools and flowing into urban areas. Ten counties will receive most of the voucher money, despite two-thirds of the students attending private schools by choice before the voucher system was implemented. Parents were already paying for their choice of private schools for their children. Additionally, the 2025-26 school year will have no income limits for voucher eligibility. Private schools are not held accountable for how these dollars are spent. Public schools are required to be accountable for the budget They can and do refuse to accept students based on academic performance, special mental, social, or behavioral needs, race, religion, or LGBTQ status. Teachers are not required to be licensed as public schools are. The estimated cost for the 2023-24 school year was $106.9 million but ended up requiring $126 million for the voucher program. The estimate for 2024-25 was $132.3 million, but Governor Reynolds recommended the legislature allocate $179.2 million, which is 35% over budget. Iowans’ hard-earned tax dollars are being diverted from public schools, which have not seen funding keep pace with inflation over the last decade or more. The voucher system is irresponsible legislation.”
How will you ensure children in Iowa schools are safe from gun violence?
Liston: “To ensure the safety of children in Iowa’s schools from gun violence, I propose a comprehensive approach that includes several key measures. First, we must invest in mental health support for students, providing them with the resources they need to address any issues before they escalate. Second, we should implement emergency training for teachers and staff, ensuring they are prepared to respond effectively in case of an incident. Additionally, creating threat assessment teams in schools can help identify and mitigate potential risks early on. We also need to pass sensible gun safety measures, such as universal background checks and secure firearm storage laws, to prevent unauthorized access to guns. Furthermore, improving the security infrastructure of school buildings, such as installing secure entry points and surveillance systems, will enhance overall safety. By taking these proactive steps, we can create a safer environment for our children and give parents peace of mind knowing that their kids are protected while at school.”
Green: “We passed legislation last year that provides revenue and more options for schools to meet their security needs and security assessments. We must continue to focus on the mental health needs of students. The legislature has passed many bills in regards to this topic, but more can be done by lowering class sizes, limiting screen time, and making sure students have more one on one time with the teacher to spot what their needs are before it gets out of hand.”
How do you plan to work with members of the opposing party to pass legislation that benefits your district?
Green: “90% of bills that are passed are already bi-partisan, but sadly, that reality doesn’t get talked about much. There is a lot of work and conversation that takes place through the committee process to make sure the opposite party gets their opinion made. It takes time to get comfortable in the capitol and understand how it operates, but after serving 4 years, I am excited to take what I have learned and utilize it on day one during a second term if re-elected.”
Liston: “First, I hope the Iowa House or Senate becomes balanced, rather than dominated by one party. This would encourage compromise, negotiation, and increased oversight in passing legislation, providing better checks and balances to prevent extreme policies. I am a person who listens first. If I don’t agree or understand, I ask, “Help me understand your position or rationale.” I will not agree until I do understand or find an expert to help me. The important question to me is, whether the legislation will help or harm Iowans. I believe constituents need transparency and communication from their elected representatives about the bills being discussed. I plan to work across the aisle with an open mind.”
