Voters in Iowa House District 48 will choose between Penny Vossler (D) and Chad Behn (R) to represent them in the Iowa House.
According to her campaign website, Vossler has four college degrees in math, computer science, space studies and global information systems. She has taught math in public schools, worked as a volunteer EMT, served as an associate scientist on a NASA satellite project, worked as a software test engineer and technical writer and has spent seven years in cartography while living in Colorado.
Behn did not respond to a request for comment for this article.
The following interview with Vossler was conducted by email:
How do you plan to help Iowans struggling to find affordable childcare?
“Childcare is either not available or not affordable for many young families right now and they are struggling. My thought is that a voucher system for childcare would benefit far more Iowans than vouchers for private school. Beyond that, we need a thorough examination of the childcare system in Iowa to see what changes would make this a more lucrative and desirable business. Our legislature’s only solution so far has been child labor, which is not safe nor sustainable!”
Where do you stand on reproductive rights for Iowans?
“Never has a woman thought that she and her OB-GYN needed the help of the Iowa Legislature to make her healthcare decisions! As a survivor of an ectopic pregnancy, it appalls me that the emergency surgery that saved my life will not be available to women and girls in Iowa. In other states with similar laws, Doctors are putting these patients in the hospital and waiting for them to rupture then attempting to save their life before they bleed to death. We need to roll back this legislation and codify reproductive rights into our constitution.”
What is your stance on lawmakers funding private school vouchers over public education?
“Public tax dollars belong in public schools. The legislature has funded our public schools below the rate of inflation for the last decade, leading to extreme hardship and a slide to mediocrity for Iowa’s once-stellar school system. Privatizing (see Medicaid!) has proven to be more costly and provide fewer services. Private schools currently take our tax dollars with no accountability as to how it’s spent. We have no oversight of the curriculum, and they are allowed to pick and choose which students they accept. Public schools take all comers and provide the services they need to get the best outcome. The vast majority of students receiving public funding of their private school education were already in private school, so it’s primarily a cash transfer to the wealthy. As I said before, rescind the private school voucher program and institute a voucher for childcare program instead.”
How will you ensure children in Iowa schools are safe from gun violence?
“This is a complex issue, but a number of common sense gun laws could protect all of us. First, ban assault weapons. Second, require a completed background check before any gun purchase. Require every person who purchases a gun to take and gun safety course and pass a gun safety test (similar to your drivers license exam) to prove that they know how to safely handle and store their firearm. Trigger locks should also be mandatory – far too many children find an unsecured gun and kill themselves or a sibling. Finally, improve the availability of mental health treatment in Iowa.”
How do you plan to work with members of the opposing party to pass legislation that benefits your district?
“No person or party has ownership of every good idea – I’m always willing to listen and agree with a solid, fully researched proposition. I am certain there are a number of Republican legislators who feel the same way, and we can find common ground for the common good.”
