Voters in Iowa House District 50 will have the option to vote for incumbent candidate Rep. Ross Wilburn (D) or write in a candidate.
Wilburn was born in Galesburg, Illinois and currently resides in Ames. He has represented Ames in the 50th district since 2019. Wilburn is a former mayor of Iowa City, social worker and member of the Iowa National Guard.
The following interview with Wilburn was conducted by email:
How do you plan to help Iowans struggling to find affordable childcare?
“First, the child and dependent care tax credit should be increased to match the federal credit. Doing so would provide more childcare relief for low-income earners. In addition, we could remove the “child care cliff” that middle-income earners face by scaling the credit to provide relief for the vast majority of Iowans. Second, create a new Child Care Center and Child Development Home Grant Fund to provide grants of up to $50,000 for costs related to the establishment of a new licensed child care center or a new child development home, or for the expansion of an existing facility. Eligible costs for the grant include licensing or registration, supplies, staff salaries, and infrastructure. This would help to increase access to high-quality care. Third, allow more families to receive Child Care Assistance (CCA) benefits by increasing the eligible federal poverty level (FPL). Currently, families can qualify for CCA by working and/or going to school or training for a combined 32 hours per week. In addition, the families must make less than 160% of the FPL, which is $41,000 for a family of three. We could raise that threshold to 200% FPL, which would be $51,600 for a family of three. Finally, the state could provide a small business child care tax credit for providing child care benefits to employees. The credit would be up to $3,000 per employee, per year, and would help fund a child care center at the business site, further increasing access to child care.”
Where do you stand on reproductive rights for Iowans?
“Everyone deserves the right to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions. We can guarantee reproductive freedom by adding it to Iowa’s Constitution and fighting for Iowans to have access to abortion care, IVF, and birth control. 64% of Iowans say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a recent poll released by the Des Moines Register. An even larger share of women, 71%, believe they should be able to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians. Unfortunately, we’re seeing more than just less access to reproductive healthcare. There is an unintended consequence of Governor Reynolds’ overreach: a maternal healthcare crisis in our state. A recent American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology report found that Iowa has the lowest per capita ratio of OB/GYN providers. 33% of Iowa’s counties are considered maternity care deserts, with almost 70,000 women living in a county without a single obstetric provider. A DHHS report found that 31% of Iowa counties have closed OB/GYN clinics.”
What is your stance on lawmakers funding private school vouchers over public education?
“I disagree with public dollars funding private school vouchers, which are shifting hundreds of millions from public schools to private schools. According to data released by the Iowa Department of Education, 36 new private schools are now taking vouchers since the bill was passed by Republican lawmakers in 2023. Governor Reynolds recently announced that vouchers for the ‘24-’25 school year will cost at least $235 million of taxpayer dollars, which is $56 million over the estimated budget and the cost may go even higher. The cost will be even higher next school year when private school vouchers become available to everyone attending a private accredited school with no income limits. Iowa taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to pay for the richest families to send their kids to private schools. Governor Reynolds’ private school voucher decision leaves 485,000 students in public schools with fewer and fewer resources. Rural communities will be particularly affected by fewer public school resources since 42 Iowa counties don’t even have a private school. We must fully fund public schools to keep up with rising costs and make sure every kid, no matter their zip code, gets a great education.”
How will you ensure children in Iowa schools are safe from gun violence?
“Iowans want common-sense gun laws to protect our kids and families. We’ve heard this from Iowans, no matter their zip code. Gun safety laws protect all of us. They’re proven to reduce crime, and the risks law enforcement face. Gun owners, including law enforcement, support laws that reduce gun violence and improve safety. Instead of arming teachers, let’s pass common-sense gun laws keeping kids safe: Upgrade school safety infrastructure
- Require background checks for gun purchases
- Invest in mental health programs
- Limit access to guns for individuals at elevated risk of harming themselves or others (Extreme Risk Protection Order)
- Encourage safe storage awareness”
How do you plan to work with members of the opposing party to pass legislation that benefits your district?
“Iowans expect their elected leaders to put politics aside, listen, and work together to make progress on the issues important to them. I couldn’t agree more. That’s why I, along with Iowa House Democrats developed a policy agenda that puts people over politics.The agenda has four main components, all of which are supported by a strong majority of Iowans, aimed at improving the lives of everyday people: lowering costs and raising wages for Iowans, protecting reproductive freedom, investing in public schools, and legalizing marijuana for adult usage. I was part of bipartisan opposition to the Republican majority partisan agenda which forced through private vouchers, attacks on reproductive freedom, refusing federal dollars for the summer school food program, and other divisive legislation. I am committed to putting people over politics and working to pass legislation that a strong majority of Iowans have told us they support.”
