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CLOSE UP. GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE THE END OF A HISTORIC LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WE KEPT OUR SPENDING IN CHECK, AND THAT WAS ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES THIS YEAR. OUR WIDE RANGING DISCUSSION FROM IOWA’S ECONOMY TO DISASTER RECOVERY TO A NEW SUMMER MEAL PLAN. AND WE PRESS THE GOVERNOR ON HER PITCH TO ADD WORK REQUIREMENTS TO THE STATE’S MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM. HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THAT ELIGIBLE IOWANS DON’T LOSE THEIR HEALTH CARE? THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE’RE WAY OUT OF SCOPE FOR WHAT MEDICAID WAS, WAS DEVELOPED FOR. PLUS, CONCERNS OVER CONTROVERSIAL BILLS AT THE STATEHOUSE. I WANT TO GET IT RIGHT. IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET IT RIGHT. WE ASKED THE GOVERNOR WHERE SHE STANDS ON ALLOWING EMINENT DOMAIN TO BUILD PIPELINES, AND HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT NEW FEES FOR LOCAL 911 BOARDS AND PASSING THE TORCH. I FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHAT WE’VE WORKED ON AND WHAT WE’VE DONE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING ON A FEW MORE THINGS BEFORE I HANG IT UP. WE ASKED REYNOLDS WHAT HER PLANS ARE ONCE SHE FINISHES HER FINAL TERM, LEADING THE STATE AND THE QUALITIES SHE’D LIKE TO SEE IN HER SUCCESSOR TO CARRY FORWARD HER LEGACY. THIS IS IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. THIS IS ����vlog EIGHT NEWS. CLOSE UP. GOOD MORNING. THANKS FOR JOINING US. I’M CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER AMANDA ROOKER. GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS JUST FINISHED HER SECOND TO LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEFORE SHE WRAPS UP HER FINAL TERM AS GOVERNOR. I SAT DOWN WITH REYNOLDS FOR HER FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE STATE LAWMAKERS ADJOURNED FOR THE YEAR. WELL, GOVERNOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING TIME TO CHAT WITH US. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. OH, I’M HAPPY TO DO IT. THANK YOU. WELL, WE USUALLY ARE TALKING IN YOUR ROOM AT THE STATEHOUSE, BUT WE’RE NOW IN TERRACE HILL BECAUSE THE SESSION HAS ADJOURNED. WE’RE IN YOUR HOUSE. THE STATE HOUSE. YOU GOT A LOT OF YOUR AGENDA ITEMS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. THIS YEAR. WHEN WE WERE HEADING INTO SESSION, I TALKED TO A LOT OF IOWANS, AND THEY TOLD ME THEIR NUMBER ONE ISSUE WAS JUST HOW EXPENSIVE EVERYTHING IS. THE HIGH COST OF LIVING. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING YOU ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS PAST SESSION, WHAT CAN YOU POINT TO THAT WILL LOWER COSTS FOR IOWANS? WELL, FIRST OF ALL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE’VE DONE, I THINK OVERALL THAT IMPACTS IOWANS IS WE’VE KEPT OUR SPENDING IN CHECK. AND THAT WAS ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES THIS YEAR, WAS TO REALLY BE RESPONSIVE FROM WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE WRECK, TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE INCREASED MEDICAID COSTS AND THE REVENUE THAT WAS COMING OFF THE TABLE. TO UNDERSTAND THAT, WE WANT TO COUPLE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP’S TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT AND THE NO TAX ON TIPS AND OVERTIME. AND SO WE’LL CONFORM WITH THAT. SO WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT AND NOT HAVE THAT IMPACT. PRIORITIES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO IOWANS. BUT I THINK ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT I COULD HAVE DONE GOING INTO THIS YEAR IS WE HIT THE FLAT TAX OF 3.8%. AND, YOU KNOW, I’VE CUT PAST, I THINK, SIX NOW COUNTING THIS YEAR, TAX BILLS, TAX CUTS SINCE I’VE COME INTO OFFICE. AND SO WE WERE ALMOST A 9% INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RATE. AND FOR IOWANS, BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST, THAT WENT TO A FLAT 3.8%. AND THEN FOR OUR RETIREES, WE DON’T TAX RETIREMENT INCOME ANYMORE AND WE DON’T TAX INHERITANCE INCOME. AND SO ALL OF THAT HELPS THEM KEEP MORE DOLLARS IN THEIR POCKET SO THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, ADAPT TO SOME OF THE HIGHER, HIGHER COSTS OF INFLATION THAT WE SAW THAT WAS JUST DRIVEN BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION. SO WE’RE STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THAT COME DOWN. AND THE SAME THING APPLIES TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL. WHEN THEY KEEP SPENDING IN CHECK, WHEN THEY PASS TAX CUTS TO THE MIDDLE CLASS, WHEN THEY LOOK AT REGULATORY REFORM, WHEN THEY ENCOURAGE RESHORING, MANUFACTURING AND BUSINESS BACK TO THIS COUNTRY THAT DRIVES WEALTH IN AMERICA. AND SO WE WANT TO BE A PART OF ALL THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. AND REALLY THE ENVIRONMENT THAT I’VE PUT IN PLACE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS SAYS TO BUSINESSES, WE’RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS. WE WANT YOU HERE. NOT ONLY DO WE WANT NEW BUSINESSES INVESTING, BUT WE WANT OUR EXISTING BUSINESSES FEELING CONFIDENT TO EXPAND AND GROW AS WELL. YOU MENTIONED THE TRUMP TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT. THE U.S. HOUSE JUST PASSED THE SPENDING BILL. PART OF THAT. ADDS WORK REQUIREMENTS TO MEDICAID. YOU HAVE ASKED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR PERMISSION TO ADD WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR ABLE BODIED ADULTS ON IOWA’S MEDICAID EXPANSION, IF THAT IS APPROVED, HOW WILL YOU ENSURE THAT ELIGIBLE IOWANS DON’T LOSE THEIR HEALTH CARE? WELL, OKAY. FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO IT, AND THOSE ARE PRETTY EXPANSIVE ON PEOPLE THAT THAT WOULDN’T APPLY TO. BUT BASICALLY, IF YOU ARE AN ABLE BODIED ADULT, THAT YOU SHOULD BE WORKING. BUT WE WANT TO HELP THEM EITHER GET THE SKILLS TO GET A GOOD JOB, THAT THAT INCLUDES GETTING AN EDUCATION. THAT’S A COMPONENT OF IT. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE’RE WAY OUT OF SCOPE FOR WHAT MEDICAID WAS, WAS DEVELOPED FOR. AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE HAVE ABLE BODIED ADULTS THAT CAN WORK, THEY ARE SO THAT WE REALLY CAN HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED IT. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THAT. I’M THINKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY NAVIGATING THE REPORTING PROCESS, OR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE UNDER AN EXEMPTION, BUT THEN THEY DON’T KNOW THAT THEY’RE EXEMPT. HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THOSE PEOPLE DON’T ACCIDENTALLY GET KICKED OFF? YEAH, WELL, THAT’S WHAT KELLY’S TEAM DOES. YOU KNOW, WE’RE NOT PERFECT. SO THERE’S GOING TO, I’M SURE, BE SOME ISSUES OR THERE’LL BE SOME PEOPLE. THIS IS A I THINK IT’S ABOUT IT’S OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE I DON’T KNOW I’LL GET YOU THE NUMBER SO THAT YOU HAVE THOSE. BUT IT’S IT’S THE EXPANDED CARE. SO IT’S A IT’S A NARROW POPULATION IN THE STATE OF IOWA THAT REALLY THIS APPLIES TO. SO WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT IT’S NOT THE ENTIRE STATE. AND SO THEY HAVE A LOT OF OUTREACH WITH THEM RIGHT NOW. THEY’RE CONNECTED TO HHS. THEY’RE GETTING BENEFITS. THEY HAVE REQUIREMENTS TO SIGN UP FOR THAT. AND SO THERE WILL BE AMPLE WAYS THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO CONNECT AND WORK WITH THEM. AND AGAIN, IT’S NOT STARTING TOMORROW. AND KELLY WILL BE DOING DIRECTOR GARCIA WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WILL BE MAKING SURE THAT SHE GETS THAT INFORMATION OUT DOING THE OUTREACH, KIND OF AN OUTREACH PROGRAM. YEAH. AND SOME MORE INFORMATION ON HOW THOSE WORK REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE SAYS THE CHANGE WOULD START IN JANUARY 2026, AND PEOPLE ON IOWA’S MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM WOULD HAVE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLY. IOWA’S HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD USE AN APP FOR IOWANS TO VERIFY THAT THEY’RE WORKING. AND IF ABLE BODIED ADULTS DON’T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS BY JULY 1ST, THEY LOSE THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS. THERE WILL BE AN ONGOING CHECK EVERY SIX MONTHS. OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR WILL CONTINUE WHEN WE COME BACK, I ASK HER ABOUT A BILL THAT WOULD LIMIT THE USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN FOR PIPELINE PROJECTS. THE PASSIONATE PLEAS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE, AND WHERE REYNOLDS STANDS AFTER THIS BREAK. WELL, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE BILLS THAT ARE EITHER ON THEIR WAY TO YOUR DESK OR THEY’RE SITTING ON YOUR DESK. THERE ARE SOME THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE CALLING ON YOU TO POTENTIALLY VETO. ONE OF THOSE BEING A BILL THAT WOULD LIMIT THE USE OF EMINENT DOMAIN FOR PIPELINE PROJECTS. YOU’VE GOT SOME PASSIONATE VOICES ON THIS ISSUE. ON THE ONE SIDE, YOU HAVE SOME LANDOWNERS WHO SAY YOU NEED TO SIGN THIS TO PROTECT PROPERTY RIGHTS. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE SOME BUSINESS OWNERS, YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN THE RENEWABLE FUELS INDUSTRY SAYING, YOU KNOW, PLEASE VETO THIS. THIS WILL HURT OUR STATE. SO WALK ME THROUGH YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS AS YOU TRY TO MAKE THIS DECISION. YEAH. WELL, A LOT OF LOT OF PASSIONATE ADVOCATES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE. I THINK WE SAW THAT DURING THE FLOOR DEBATE IN THE SENATE. AND SO, YOU KNOW, 30 DAYS TO SIGN THE BILL AND LIKE I DO WITH EVERY SINGLE BILL THAT THEY GET THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS TOWARD THE END OF THE SESSION, THE TEAM SITS DOWN AND WE TAKE A LOOK AT IT. WE LOOK AT ALL THE LEGAL QUESTIONS. WE LOOK AT JUST THE DEBATE AND WHAT TOOK PLACE. THE OTHER THING THAT I’M DOING IS I’M SITTING DOWN AND MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE. AND SO WE’VE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF MEETINGS. PROPERTY OWNERS, LEGISLATORS, FARMERS, BOTH FOR AND AGAINST. AND SO THAT HELPS US UNDERSTAND BETTER WHAT SOME OF THE CONCERNS ARE TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE AREN’T ADDITIONAL ANSWERS THAT WE COULD GET FOR SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THEY MAY HAVE. SO WE’RE WALKING THROUGH THAT PROCESS, AND I’M GOING TO TAKE MY TIME ON IT. I WANT TO GET IT RIGHT. IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET IT RIGHT. AND SO AND IT’S BEEN REALLY HELPFUL TO SIT DOWN WITH THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS WE STARTED THIS WEEK. WE’LL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK. AND I’LL I’LL KEEP WE ALWAYS COME UP WITH A LIST OF QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE AFTER EACH MEETING OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO LOOK INTO AND RESEARCH AND MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND IT, AND THAT WE’RE ACCURATE IN HOW WE UNDERSTAND IT. SO THAT WHEN I ULTIMATELY DO MAKE A DECISION, YOU KNOW, IT’LL BE AN INFORMED DECISION. AND SO THAT’S WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW. ARE YOU 50 OVER 50 ON THIS RIGHT NOW? NO. YOU KNOW, I HAVEN’T MADE A DECISION EITHER WAY. BUT THIS IS HELPING ME GET THERE. IT’S BY GATHERING INFORMATION. IT’S BY LISTENING. MOSTLY. I’M DOING A LOT OF LISTENING AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE. SO AGAIN, WHEN I DO MAKE A DECISION, I’LL, YOU KNOW, FEEL THAT I HAVE, YOU KNOW, REALLY REACHED OUT AND I’VE GATHERED THE INFORMATION THAT I DID THAT I NEEDED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ON IT. AND, YOU KNOW, THIS ONE’S A LITTLE HIGHER PROFILE. IT IMPACTS A LOT OF PEOPLE. BUT BUT I DO A SIMILAR PROCESS, MAYBE NOT SO MANY STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS, BUT DO A SIMILAR PROCESS ON ALL THE BILLS THAT I SIGNED THAT WE WE DO A REVIEW, THE TEAM, THE POLICY DIRECTOR THAT’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. THEY PREPARE SOME INFORMATION FOR ME. WE SIT AROUND AS A AS A LEADERSHIP TEAM AND REALLY GO THROUGH THE BILLS AND ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS AND MAKE SURE WE’RE NOT MISSING SOMETHING THROUGH THE PROCESS. AND IT’S REALLY HELPFUL. WHAT’S THE DIALOG BEEN LIKE ON THE LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT 911 FUNDING? I KNOW WE’VE HEARD FROM SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS THAT ARE CONCERNED IT COULD IMPACT LOCAL 911 SERVICES. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU’VE BEEN HEARING? WELL, BOTH. AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IT’S A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND IT’S A REALLY IMPORTANT SERVICE. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE PROTECTING THE SAFETY OF IOWANS. AND SO I KNOW THROUGHOUT THE SESSION, THERE WERE SEVERAL MEETINGS THAT TOOK PLACE. I BELIEVE THERE WERE SEVERAL PROPOSALS THAT WERE PRESENTED THAT ULTIMATELY, I DON’T THINK EVER WENT ANYWHERE. AND SO THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION THROUGHOUT THE SESSION AND HOW WE HANDLE THIS. I THINK, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE SITTING ON $66 MILLION IN SURPLUS RIGHT NOW. SO THESE ARE THE THINGS, THOUGH, AGAIN, I’VE GOT 30 DAYS THAT WE’RE VERIFYING AND WORKING THROUGH AND UNDERSTANDING, YOU KNOW, WHAT CONVERSATIONS TOOK PLACE. WHAT WERE SOME OF THE PROPOSALS THAT THEY TALKED ABOUT? WHY DIDN’T THAT PROPOSAL MOVE FORWARD? AND SO THAT’S THE PROCESS THAT WE’RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW. AND AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE A CASE WHERE WE’RE REACHING OUT AND CONNECTING. I’VE HAD A COUPLE OF SHERIFFS ALREADY REACH OUT. SO WE’RE WE’RE HEARING FROM THE PARTIES THAT WOULD BE IMPACTED AND WE’LL WE’LL FIGURE IT OUT. IS THAT ENOUGH TIME? I MEAN, JUST BOTH OF THOSE, SPECIFICALLY THE EMINENT DOMAIN ISSUE, THERE’S BEEN YEARS AND YEARS, RIGHT, OF PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO THE STATE HOUSE ADVOCATING FOR IT. 30 DAYS IS A PRETTY SMALL WINDOW. IS THAT ENOUGH? NO. NOT REALLY. WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME. I MEAN, TO YOUR POINT, IT’S NOT NEW. IT’S THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING DISCUSSION. AND SO SO IT’S NOT LIKE IT JUST CAME UP. IN FACT, IF YOU’D HEAR SOME OF THE ADVOCATES, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT FOR FOUR YEARS AND SAME THING WITH THE 911. I MEAN, THAT’S WHAT I WANT IOWANS TO KNOW. THIS DOESN’T JUST COME UP. THEY REALLY WERE THERE REALLY WERE SEVERAL OF CONVERSATIONS AND PROPOSALS, I BELIEVE. BUT THAT’S WHAT WE’RE RESEARCHING. THAT WAS PRESENTED DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. AND SO THAT THAT TELLS ME THERE’S GOT TO BE SOME SOLUTION OUT THERE THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT THAT WILL MAKE THIS WORK. SO WE’LL WE’LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. AND, YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE TO IF WE DO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT AND WE HAVE TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR AND MAYBE ADJUST OR MAKE SOME CHANGES, THAT’S CERTAINLY NOT UNUSUAL EITHER. I AS A COUNTY TREASURER, EVERY YEAR, I THINK WE DID AN ANNUAL CLEANUP BILL. SO THAT’S JUST PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AS WELL. OUR CONVERSATION WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS BREAK. WE’LL BE RIGHT BACK. I WANT TO CHANGE GEARS TO A PROGRAM THAT YOU’VE BEEN PUSHING FOR FOR A LONG TIME. YOUR NEW SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM THAT YOU’RE LAUNCHING. IOWANS. WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT? WHAT DO THEY NEED TO KNOW THIS SUMMER? WHAT CHANGES MIGHT BE HAPPENING THAT THEY NEED TO BE AWARE OF? SO SAME THING. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THEY WILL DO AN EXTENSIVE OUTREACH, BUT WE’RE WORKING WITH AN INCREDIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT’S ALREADY IN PLACE. SO WE’RE WORKING WITH FOOD BANKS ALL ACROSS THE STATE THAT ALREADY HAVE THAT CONNECTIONS WITH IOWANS. WE’RE WORKING WITH OUR SCHOOLS SO THAT THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE FAMILIES CAN SIGN UP FOR IF THEY MEET THE CRITERIA, YOU KNOW, AND THEY GET A BOX OF GROCERIES OR AN AMOUNT, BUT IT’S PER CHILD, SO IT’S NOT PER FAMILY, IT’S PER CHILD. AND THEY ACTUALLY WILL BE ABLE TO GO IN AND SELECT THE FOODS THAT THEY WANT. AND SO THEY’VE REALLY DONE A LOT, I THINK, TO MAYBE ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAD WITH THE PROGRAM. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE DID A KIND OF A PROOF OF CONCEPT WITH IT. WE DID A PILOT. AND REALLY BY DOING WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO, WE WERE ABLE TO REACH MORE KIDS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. AND AND AGAIN, THESE ARE HEALTHY FOODS, WHICH I AM SO FOCUSED ON. YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO HELP THESE KIDS AND THESE FAMILIES AFFORD A HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS MEALS WITH THE PROGRAM THAT WE’VE STOOD UP, NOT ONLY ARE THERE HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOODS, BUT OUR FOOD BANKS ARE ABLE TO BUY IN BULK. AND SO THOSE DOLLARS GO SO MUCH FURTHER AND WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THESE FAMILIES MORE FOOD THAN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET, YOU KNOW, RUNNING INTO SOME PLACE AND JUST GIVEN A EBT CARD AND PURCHASING MAYBE NON-NUTRITIOUS FOODS AND A HIGHER PRICE. SO THAT’LL GO THAT, THAT THOSE DOLLARS WILL GO FURTHER. GOTCHA. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT DISASTER RECOVERY TOO. WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT GREENFIELD THERE YESTERDAY FOR THE ONE YEAR. YOU KNOW, ANNIVERSARY. A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE, IT’S STILL FRESH IN THEIR MINDS, REMEMBERING THAT TRAUMA AND THE TRAGEDY. WHAT DO YOU TELL THE PEOPLE WHO SEE POTENTIAL CUTS TO FEMA AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL? RESTRUCTURING OF FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE, WHO ARE CONCERNED THAT IF DISASTER WERE TO STRIKE AGAIN, THAT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE MAY NOT BE THERE. I DON’T KNOW IF CUTS HAVE NECESSARILY BEEN A PART OF IT. THEY’VE TALKED ABOUT RESTRUCTURE. I MEAN, WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES ON THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY’RE RECOMMENDING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. BUT, YOU KNOW, LET ME TELL YOU THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT IT TAKES THEM TO GET THE DOLLARS INTO THE COMMUNITIES. I MEAN, YOU RIGHT NOW WITH HUD, WHEN WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THEIR DISASTER RECOVERY MONEY THAT COMES INTO THE STATES, IT WOULD BE TWO YEARS AFTER THE FACT THAT THE DOLLARS ARE EVER GOING TO GET INTO THE COMMUNITIES. AND THAT’S JUST RIDICULOUS. IT JUST TAKES FOREVER FOR A FEDERAL TEAM TO GET ON SITE. AND THEN THEY’RE SO BUREAUCRATIC. IF THEY WOULD GIVE THE STATES MORE FLEXIBILITY, LIKE WE WERE ABLE TO GET WITH THE FLOODING AND THE TORNADOES THAT WE EXPERIENCED THE LAST YEAR, I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE CAN HELP THEM STREAMLINE THEIR PROCESS. WE CAN STREAMLINE OUR PROCESS, AND WE CAN GET THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THE DISASTER BACK TO A NORMAL LIFE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. AND ESPECIALLY WITH PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. SO I THINK IT’S A GOOD THING. I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE’RE KEEPING OUR EYES ON IT. BUT I YOU KNOW, I DON’T THINK THEY’RE NECESSARILY LOOKING AT CUTTING, BUT MAYBE GIVING SOME OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY BACK TO THE STATES. BUT WE’RE MONITORING IT. I’M NOT WORRIED THAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN, YOU’D BE DENIED ACCESS. NO, WE JUST GOT WE JUST GOT ACCESS FOR STORM, FOR THE REC, THE FOUR COUNTIES THAT WERE IMPACTED NOT TOO LONG AGO. WE JUST GOT, YOU KNOW, WE GOT THE OKAY FOR THAT. SO, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE NOT GOING TO SHUT ANYTHING OFF IN THE MEANTIME. THERE’S THERE’S JUST NO WAY YOU CAN DO THAT. YOU’VE GOT TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND STRATEGIC ON HOW YOU ROLL THESE THINGS OUT. I MEAN, IT’S NO DIFFERENT THAN THE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. I MEAN, WE’VE APPLIED FOR A WAIVER, BUT IT JUST DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. YOU HAVE TO BE REALLY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW YOU TRY TO IMPLEMENT CHANGE AND HOW YOU TRY TO DO IT. ANOTHER TOPIC I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IS CANCER. YEAH. SOMETHING THAT HAS PERSONALLY IMPACTED YOUR FAMILY. I WAS WONDERING WHAT YOUR REACTION IS TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN’S RECENT DIAGNOSIS. WELL, YOU KNOW, IT’S LIKE IT’S SOMETHING THAT YOU’RE ALWAYS SURPRISED TO HEAR. I MEAN, I COULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE SHOCKED WHEN KEVIN CALLED AND SAID THEY FOUND CANCER. I MEAN, YOU JUST THAT’S THE LAST THING YOU EVER EXPECT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND OR TO OR THE PHONE CALL THAT YOU EXPECT TO GET. SO MY HEART AND MY THOUGHTS AND MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILY. AND, YOU KNOW, IT’S AN IT’S AN IT’S A SERIOUS ISSUE HERE IN IOWA. AND THAT’S WHY, YOU KNOW, WE PUT $1 MILLION TOWARDS IT THIS YEAR. AND TO REALLY DRIVE A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, THEY HAVE THE EXPERTISE, THEY HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE, THEY CAN GATHER THE DATA. KELLY HAS ALSO BEEN DOING THAT AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. AND SO TO FORM THAT COLLABORATION AND HAVE THEM REALLY START TO SEE IF WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE WHYS OR WHAT’S DRIVING IT, I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE’VE GOT SECRETARY KENNEDY IS ALSO LOOKING AT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT MIGHT BE DRIVING SOME OF THESE ISSUES. SO WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE IT’S BASED ON SCIENCE. IT’S THOROUGHLY VETTED. AND THEN START TO LOOK AT IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT MAYBE SOME OF THE CAUSES, THEN WE CAN START TO GET IN FRONT OF IT, EDUCATE AND MAKE SOME NECESSARY CHANGES THAT CAN HELP REDUCE IT. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF SMART PEOPLE OUT THERE, AND WITH INNOVATION AND JUST, YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY WE’RE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS WHEN IT COMES TO DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER. AND SO I’M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THAT. AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA BEING A PART OF THAT COLLABORATION AND WILLING TO STEP UP AND HELP US START TO DIG INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE AND SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME ANSWERS. I ALSO ASKED REYNOLDS WHAT’S NEXT FOR HER AFTER SHE LEAVES OFFICE. THAT’S NEXT. WHEN WE COME BACK. FINALLY, WE’RE IN TERRACE HILL. YOU KNOW, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LOOKING DOWN THE LINE. THERE’S, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT LIMITED TIME FOR YOU LEFT HERE. YOU MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT YOU’RE NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION. YOU HAVE SOME TIME UNTIL THE END OF YOUR TURN. BUT WHAT’S WHAT’S AHEAD FOR YOU? YEAH. OH, WELL, I’M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA, AND I’M GOING TO BE A DAUGHTER, AND I’M GOING TO BE A WIFE. AND I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING SOME TIME WITH MY FAMILY. YOU KNOW, I IT’S BEEN A PRIORITY THROUGH MY ENTIRE SERVICE. BUT IT’S STILL YOU MISS OUT ON A LOT WHEN YOU’RE IN THIS JOB. YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO GIVE A I WANT TO GIVE 150%. I FEEL LIKE I’VE DONE THAT AND I’VE BEEN IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH FOR 16 YEARS. SO PROUD OF WHAT WE’VE DONE. BUT I’M JUST READY AND ANXIOUS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH MY FAMILY. BUT I HAVE A YEAR AND A HALF YET AND SO GOT A LOT OF TIME AHEAD OF US. AND SO I I’M EXCITED TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, FINISH STRONG. I’M GOING TO RUN HARD THROUGH THE TAPE. AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE’RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON ALL INTERIM THAT THE LEGISLATURE WASN’T ABLE TO GET DONE THIS YEAR, I MEAN, THEY TRIED THEY PUT A LOT OF EFFORT IN IS PROPERTY TAX REFORM. AND SO WE’RE GOING TO SPEND A TON OF TIME OVER THE INTERIM THIS SUMMER, REALLY DIGGING INTO THAT AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN BRING PROPERTY TAXES DOWN. WE’VE DONE A LOT WITH INDIVIDUAL CORPORATE RETIREMENT INHERITANCE, AND THIS IS KIND OF THE LAST ONE THAT WE REALLY DO NEED TO TACKLE, WHERE WE’RE KIND OF AN OUTLIER. AND SO I STOOD UP, YOU KNOW, IOWA DOGE, THAT’S ONE OF THE THINGS THEY’RE LOOKING AT. HOW CAN WE TAKE THE REALIGNMENT CONCEPT THAT WE DID AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WE CAN APPLY THAT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AS WELL? YOU KNOW, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING IT. SO TO REALLY FIGURE OUT BETWEEN THE THREE HOW WE CAN STREAMLINE THE WAY THAT WE SERVE IOWANS. SO I’M EXCITED TO WORK ON THAT. IT’S HARD, YOU KNOW, OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. IT IS NOT EASY TO DO THAT. AND EVERYBODY EVERYTHING’S GOT TO BE ON THE TABLE. AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN YOU START, YOU KNOW, TAKING A LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND TRYING TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. SO BUT IT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IOWANS ARE FRUSTRATED THAT WE HAVEN’T GOTTEN IT DONE YET. AND SO IT’S IT’S TIME AND WE’RE GOING TO GIVE IT EVERYTHING WE GOT. WE’LL CERTAINLY BE COVERING THAT TALKING ABOUT THAT FINALLY, YOU KNOW, OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOU REALLY RESHAPED IN MANY WAYS YOUR PARTY. YOU’VE CHANGED THE DIRECTION OF OUR STATE. IN SOME WAYS. YOU’VE SAID YOU’RE NOT GOING TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE UPCOMING PRIMARY RACE. BUT IF A REPUBLICAN WINS, THEY’LL BE THE ONE TO KIND OF CARRY FORWARD YOUR LEGACY. SO I’M WONDERING, YOU KNOW, WHAT QUALITIES OR WHAT TYPE OF PERSON WILL IT TAKE TO CARRY FORWARD YOUR LEGACY? OH, YOU KNOW, I SAID WHEN I MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, ONE OF THE THINGS I FEEL REALLY FORTUNATE ABOUT AND WHICH GAVE ME GREAT COMFORT WHEN I, YOU KNOW, MADE THE DECISION TO NOT RUN AGAIN, IS WE HAVE A LOT OF DYNAMIC, HARDWORKING, PASSIONATE, SMART REPUBLICANS. WE’VE GOT A PHENOMENAL BENCH. SO I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, TAKING A LOOK AT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I, I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE’LL BE WE’LL STILL HAVE A REPUBLICAN IN THAT OFFICE. I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE’VE LEFT THEM A REALLY GOOD FOUNDATION TO BUILD ON. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THEY GET TO GO IN AND THEY NEED TO THEY GET TO PUT THEIR FINGERPRINT ON WHAT GOVERNMENT THE STATE OF IOWA LOOKS LIKE GOING FORWARD. SO I FEEL GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE WHERE WE’LL LEAVE THEM. I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE REALLY I MEAN, TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE THAT WE’VE MADE OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. I THINK WE’VE REALLY CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE OF GOVERNMENT AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH REALIGNMENT AND TAX REFORM AND REGULATORY REFORM AND JUST GIVING PARENTS THE ULTIMATE CHOICE IN WHERE THEY FEEL IS THE BEST PLACE FOR THEIR CHILD TO GET A QUALITY EDUCATION. AND JUST BY DOING THAT, WE’VE WE’VE REALLY RAISED THE BOAT AND EXPECTATIONS IN EDUCATION ACROSS THE BOARD. THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR CLOSE UP. HAVE A GREAT DAY.