Senator Jason Schultz

The Schultz Perspective by Senator Jason Schultz By now all of western Iowa has received the new valuations on their property for property tax purposes. Everybody is probably shocked, and I have received many phone calls with questions about the process. “How can they do this?” they ask.The short answer is Iowa law requires county…

The Schultz Perspective by Senator Jason Schultz A late session surprise issue was introduced in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. One of the tasks of Senate committee chairs is to spend time outside of session finding problems and looking for solutions that are bold and innovative. With Republicans chairing Senate committees, taxpayers are protected…

The Schultz Perspective by Senator Jason Schultz In 1987, state law was changed to require gender balance for state-level appointees to boards and commissions. In 2009, the Democrat-controlled House, Senate, and Governor required county and municipal level appointees to meet the same standard. The 2009 law delayed the balance standard in order to give counties…

The Schultz Perspective by Senator Jason Schultz After six years, the critical issue of tort reform has finally been put to rest.  Also referred to as medical malpractice liability reform, this issue has grown in importance to our local health care system and physicians.  HF 161 passed the House and Senate last week and was…

The Schultz Perspective by Senator Jason Schultz We’ve all heard of malpractice cases in which health care providers have made mistakes and caused harm and suffering.  Sometimes the damage can last a lifetime.  When a lawsuit is filed for damages, the monetary award comes from three different categories: Economic damages are those damages that are…

The Schultz Perspective by Senator Jason Schultz An issue popped up this week in the Iowa Legislature that will impact every property taxpayer and property taxing authority.  A mistake in calculating the rollback on multifamily residential properties led to a 1.8% increase on valuations on residential property.  This could lead to a statewide property tax…

The Schultz Perspective by Senator Jason Schultz The state of education in Iowa changed forever just after midnight on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 when the Iowa Senate passed House File 68 and sent it to the governor for her signature. From now on, $3.4 billion in education spending will be aimed at the student, and…

The Schultz Perspective by Senator Jason Schultz School choice will be the biggest issue of the session and the controversy has started. Governor Reynolds’s Students First Act is the result of four years of research and smaller efforts to focus school choice on small segments of Iowa’s student population. Each effort came up short in…

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. The 2023 session of the Iowa Legislature is underway.  I would like to thank all of you in Senate District 6 for giving me the opportunity to be your voice in the Iowa Senate. The Iowa Constitution sets the opening day as the second Monday…

The 2022 legislative session has concluded. At the end of the session, the leaders in the chamber may give closing remarks. I was thrilled to listen to Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver list out our accomplishments these last two years, and I could think of no better way to finish out the session than sharing…