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CLOSE UP. WEEKS AFTER GOVERNOR REYNOLDS ANNOUNCED SHE WON’T SEEK REELECTION, WE’RE GETTING A GLIMPSE OF WHO’S INTERESTED IN RUNNING TO REPLACE HER AND THE ISSUES THEY WANT TO TACKLE. TENSIONS BOIL OVER IN HEATED TOWN HALLS AS IOWANS BRING THEIR CONCERNS TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN WASHINGTON. WHY? ONE LAWMAKER SAYS HE’S TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH. AND THE LATEST BILLS RUSHING TO THE FINISH LINE AT THE IOWA STATE HOUSE BEFORE THE END OF SESSION. WHAT ROADBLOCKS THEY’LL NEED TO OVERCOME TO BECOME LAW. THIS IS IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. THIS IS ����vlog EIGHT NEWS. CLOSE UP. GOOD MORNING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR ����vlog EIGHT NEWS CLOSE UP. I’M CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER AMANDA ROOKER. THE 2026 IOWA GOVERNOR’S RACE IS WIDE OPEN FOR BOTH PARTIES. AFTER GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS ANNOUNCED SHE WILL NOT SEEK REELECTION. AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN IOWA REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID THEY MAY CONSIDER A RUN TO LEAD THE STATE. THAT INCLUDES REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR MIKE BUFFALO, WHO ANNOUNCED EARLY LAST WEEK HE PLANS TO TRAVEL TO IOWA TO SEE IF HE HAS ENOUGH SUPPORT TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN. BUFFALO SERVED ONE YEAR IN THE IOWA HOUSE BEFORE HE WAS ELECTED TO THE IOWA SENATE IN 2022. NOW, HE SAYS HE’S SETTING HIS SIGHTS, POTENTIALLY ON TERRACE HILL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SUPPORT WOULD BE THERE FOR MY RUN. REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR MIKE BUFFALO SAYS HIS BACKGROUND IN PUBLIC SERVICE GIVES HIM THE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO LEAD THE STATE OF IOWA. I’VE WORKED IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND I RUN TWO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES. I’M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE’VE DONE AT THE STATE HOUSE. I KNOW HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES TO HAVE JOBS. AND, YOU KNOW, A STATE GOVERNMENT THAT’S TRYING TO LOWER THE COST OF LIVING. HE SAYS HE’LL TALK WITH VOTERS AND REPUBLICAN ACTIVISTS ACROSS THE STATE BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NEXT GOVERNOR CAN TAKE OUR MESSAGE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR ALL AND JOBS AND INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND CAN WIN THE GOVERNOR’S RACE IN 2026. BUFFALO HAS SUPPORT FROM HIS FORMER BOSS, TERRY BRANSTAD. WHEN BRANSTAD WAS GOVERNOR OF IOWA. BUFFALO SERVED AS HIS CHIEF OF STAFF UNTIL BRANSTAD LEFT TO BECOME U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA. IN A STATEMENT, BRANSTAD STOPPED SHORT OF A FULL ENDORSEMENT BUT SAID HE’S, QUOTE, PLEASED. BUFFALO IS CONSIDERING A RUN FOR GOVERNOR AND THAT, QUOTE, MIKE HAS THE WORK ETHIC, VISION AND CHARACTER NECESSARY TO LEAD IOWA TO AN EVEN BRIGHTER FUTURE. ����vlog SPOKE TO BRANSTAD LAST WEEK ABOUT WHO HE WANTS TO LEAD THE STATE NEXT. I’LL WAIT UNTIL SEE WHAT HAPPENS AND SEE WHO’S RUNNING. BUT I KNOW A LOT OF THEM AND I THINK THERE’S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL. ANOTHER IOWA REPUBLICAN WHO COULD THROW HIS HAT IN THE RING, THIRD DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN ZACH NUNN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I’M HEARING FROM IOWANS AND THAT WHEN WE DECIDE WHERE WE’RE GOING TO BE, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXECUTE ON THAT WITH FULL FORCE, AND ONE THAT’S GOING TO PUT IOWANS FIRST. U.S. HOUSE SEAT IS ONE OF THE MOST TIGHTLY CONTESTED IN THE COUNTRY. THE CONGRESSMAN TELLS ����vlog HE’S WEIGHING THAT WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CLOSER TO HOME. HERE’S THE REALITY. I’VE GOT SIX LITTLE KIDDOS. THEY’RE ALL RIGHT HERE IN IOWA, TRAVELING BACK AND FORTH TO WASHINGTON IS A CHALLENGE FOR OUR FAMILY. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, BOTH KELLY AND I AND MY WIFE ARE VERY COMMITTED ON SAYING LIKE, WHERE CAN WE DO THE MOST GOOD AND HOW DO WE DO IT NOW? IOWA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE MIKE NAIG IS ALSO CONSIDERING A RUN FOR THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION. IN A STATEMENT TO ����vlog, HE SAYS RIGHT NOW HE’S FOCUSED ON THE JOB HE WAS ELECTED TO DO, BUT THAT HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE, QUOTE, THOUGHTFULLY DISCUSSING THAT POSSIBILITY AND KEEPING ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE. HE SAYS HE’S, QUOTE, ALSO BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS ACROSS THE STATE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE’S A CLEAR PATH FORWARD. AT THE IOWA STATE HOUSE, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PAT GRASSLEY AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE BOBBY KAUFMANN ARE ALSO BOTH CONSIDERING A RUN. SO IS IOWA ATTORNEY GENERAL BRENNA BIRD, THE ONLY REPUBLICAN OFFICIALLY IN THE RACE IS FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE BRAD SHERMAN FROM EASTERN IOWA. LAST NOVEMBER, DEMOCRAT PAUL DAHLE ANNOUNCED HE’S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR. STATE AUDITOR ROB SAND, IOWA’S ONLY STATEWIDE ELECTED DEMOCRAT, HAS BEEN FLOATED AS A POSSIBLE CONTENDER, THOUGH SAND HAS NOT OFFICIALLY THROWN HIS HAT IN THE RACE. DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE SAY THE TIMING OF GOVERNOR REYNOLDS ANNOUNCEMENT DURING THE SESSION COULD AFFECT STATE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS. I DON’T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE, BUT CERTAINLY IT CHANGES THE CALCULUS AND. MAY TAKE AWAY A LITTLE BIT OF LEVERAGE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS. I DON’T KNOW THAT, BUT MY MY EXPECTATION WOULD BE THAT IT’S A LITTLE MORE EVEN PLAYING FIELD NOW WITH HOUSE REPUBLICANS, SENATE REPUBLICANS AND THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE. IF HER REELECTION PLANS ARE CLEAR NOW AND SHE’S NOT RUNNING AGAIN, BUT IT MAY ALSO BE INJECTING SOME UNNECESSARY POLITICS WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ON ON EACH SIDE AS THEY JOCKEY FOR POSITION. BUT WE REALLY JUST LIKE TO GET RID OF THAT AND GET TO THE END OF THE SESSION AND GET THE BUDGETS OUT A LOT AT PLAY HERE. ����vlog POLITICAL ANALYST DENNIS GOLDFORD IS WITH US THIS MORNING. THANKS FOR BEING HERE. SURE. WELL, THERE’S A LOT TO THINK ABOUT AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO 2026. YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE POTENTIALLY SOME OF THESE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES THINKING THROUGH AS THEY DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN? I THINK ALL CANDIDATES AND ALL POLITICIANS OF BOTH PARTIES OR ANY PARTIES ARE AMBITIOUS, AND THEY WANT TO KNOW IF THEY’RE GOING TO SEEK ANOTHER OFFICE. FIRST OF ALL, IS THERE LIKELY TO BE THE POPULAR SUPPORT I NEED? AND SECOND, CAN I RAISE THE MONEY THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO RUN A COMPETITIVE RACE? LURKING BELOW THOSE TWO PARTICULAR CONSIDERATIONS, OF COURSE, WOULD BE WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT I THINK I CAN USE TO GENERATE THAT POPULAR SUPPORT AND TO RAISE THE MONEY I NEED. WHAT ABOUT ALSO SOME OF THESE, YOU KNOW, BRENNA BIRD, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR ZACH NUNN, WHO’S REPRESENTING IOWA’S THIRD DISTRICT, THEY COULD POTENTIALLY BE RUNNING FOR REELECTION, YOU KNOW, IN THEIR OWN SEATS. HOW MUCH DO THEY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE POSSIBILITY OF WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY IF THEY DON’T RUN FOR REELECTION TO THEIR SEAT? THAT’S ALWAYS A CONSIDERATION. I MEAN, IF YOU’RE IF YOU’RE SEAT IS SECURE, THEN YOU MIGHT SAY, OKAY, DO I WANT TO RISK GIVING UP A SECURE SEAT TO TRY TO TAKE A SHOT AT GETTING ANOTHER OFFICE? IF YOUR SEAT ISN’T SECURE, YOU MIGHT SAY, WELL, WHAT DO I HAVE TO LOSE? WOULD I BE BETTER OFF FOR A POLITICAL CAREER TO RUN FOR A NEW OFFICE, PERHAPS A STATEWIDE OFFICE THAT WOULD GIVE ME MORE EXPOSURE AND I WANT TO WIN. BUT EVEN IF I DON’T, THAT WOULD GIVE ME THE EXPOSURE FOR ANOTHER TRY DOWN THE ROAD. NOW, I THINK THE MOST, THE BIGGEST ANNOUNCEMENT WE’VE HEARD FROM REPUBLICANS AFTER REYNOLDS MADE HER ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SHE’S NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION WOULD BE MIKE BUFFALO, WHO DIDN’T EVEN ANNOUNCE THAT HE’S OFFICIALLY RUNNING, BUT THAT HE’S LAUNCHING AN EXPLORATORY CAMPAIGN. WHAT’S THE BENEFIT TO MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT SAYING THAT YOU’RE SETTING OUT TO OFFICIALLY EXPLORE A RUN VERSUS SOME OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES, POTENTIAL CANDIDATES, RIGHT, WHO HAVE SAID, I’M CONSIDERING IT, BUT THEY’VE THEY’VE PUT FORWARD MAYBE A LESS FORMAL, YOU KNOW, RELEASE ABOUT THAT. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THIS THIS MORNING PRESS PUBLICITY COVERAGE. THAT’S THE KEY THING BECAUSE AGAIN, THAT COVERAGE HELPS YOU GENERATE POTENTIALLY THAT POPULAR SUPPORT AND GIVES SOMETHING FOR POTENTIAL DONORS TO THINK ABOUT. AND THEN IF YOU LOOK ALONG THAT HALF DOZEN LIST OF POTENTIAL CONTENDERS, THERE, REPUBLICANS, HOWEVER, THE ARRAY OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF REPUBLICANS IS IS WIDE. WHAT COULD THAT POTENTIALLY LEAD TO? IF WE HAVE A CROWDED PRIMARY FOR THIS RACE? WELL, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE FOR POLITICAL ANALYSTS AND REPORTERS, ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PRIMARY SEASONS WE’VE HAD IN A LONG TIME. THIS PRIMARY, I THINK, WILL TELL US A LOT ABOUT THE STATE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF IOWA. THERE WAS ALWAYS A KIND OF CENTRIST CONSERVATIVE ELEMENT TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. WE SAW THAT WITH GOVERNOR RAY. WE SAW THAT CERTAINLY WITH TERRY BRANSTAD. AND THEN WE HAVE MORE OF A MAGA, MORE OF A POPULIST CONSERVATIVE ELEMENT, THE MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN TRUMP CROWD. AND SO IF WE HAVE A COMPETITIVE PRIMARY THAT PITS CANDIDATES AGAINST EACH OTHER FROM THOSE DIFFERENT STREAMS, THAT WILL GIVE US A GOOD IDEA OF WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOWADAYS. I’M ALSO THINKING ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF OPPORTUNITY IS THIS FOR DEMOCRATS. WE’VE HAD WE JUST AFTER THIS PAST NOVEMBER ELECTION, YOU KNOW, TRUMP WON IN A HISTORICALLY LARGE MARGIN HERE. HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, THE STATE OF HOW IOWANS FEEL TOWARDS TRUMP MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN THEY DID IN NOVEMBER. BUT DOES THIS OPEN, YOU KNOW, A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATS TO TO BUILD BACK A LITTLE BIT? WELL, ANYTIME YOU’RE ENTERING INTO AN OPEN SEAT RACE, AS OPPOSED TO GOING UP INTO A AGAINST AN INCUMBENT, WHICHEVER PARTY THAT OFFERS YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE OPPORTUNITY. BUT DEMOCRATS HAVE A BIG HOLE TO CLIMB OUT OF. IT USED TO BE THE CASE THAT DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE ENOUGH OF A PLURALITY OR ENOUGH OF A MARGIN IN THIS HALF DOZEN MORE URBANIZED COUNTIES IN THE STATE TO OVERCOME THEIR GAPING DEFICIT IN THE MORE RURAL COUNTIES. THEY HAVEN’T HAD THAT FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AND GOVERNOR REYNOLDS, IN 2022 WON 95 OF THE 99 COUNTIES IN THE STATE. THAT’S A BIG HOLE. THE DEMOCRATS HAVE GOT TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS IN FILLING IF THEY’RE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE AGAIN. WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES THAT THERE COULD BE. BUT FOR DEMOCRATS, YOU KNOW, IS THERE ANY SORT OF ISSUE OR TYPE OF DEMOCRAT THAT MAY BE MORE COMPETITIVE HERE IN IOWA FOR THE GOVERNOR’S RACE? WELL, NATIONAL POLITICS CERTAINLY INFLUENCES STATE POLITICS, DOESN’T NECESSARILY DETERMINE STATE POLITICS, BUT IT’S A BIG INFLUENCE. AND WE DON’T KNOW WHAT CONDITIONS WILL BE LIKE WITH THE ECONOMY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE CULTURE WARS ARE OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE. WHAT THOSE WOULD BE LIKE IN 2026, BUT 2026 COULD BE A REFERENDUM ON THE MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN MOVEMENT ON TRUMPISM, IF YOU WILL, AND IF DEMOCRATS CAN MAKE THE CASE THAT SOMETHING IS FUNDAMENTALLY NOT WORKING WITH THAT APPROACH TO AMERICAN POLITICS. RONALD REAGAN HAD A VERY EFFECTIVE QUESTION IN 1980. ARE YOU BETTER OFF THAN YOU WERE FOUR YEARS AGO? AND DEMOCRATS MAY WELL TAKE THAT QUESTION AND SEE IF THEY CAN GET SOME MILEAGE OUT OF THAT IN 2026. WE HEARD THAT EVEN A LOT THIS PAST NOVEMBER. REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW, USING THAT THAT ARGUMENT AS WELL. SURE. I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POCKETBOOK ISSUES ALWAYS. THAT’S CERTAINLY THE CASE. BUT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ALSO ABOUT CULTURAL ISSUES. WE SEE A LOT OF THAT. THE SO-CALLED SOCIAL ISSUES. AND PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RESPECT. AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS FOR DEMOCRATS IS THAT THEY’VE BECOME SO URBAN IN A WAY THAT THEY’VE LEFT PEOPLE IN RURAL AND SMALL TOWN AREAS THINKING THAT DEMOCRATS DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND THEM, KNOW THEM, OR RESPECT THEM. SO IF DEMOCRATS CAN WORK ON THAT AT ALL, THEY MAY HAVE SOME MORE SUCCESS. REPUBLICANS JOB, OF COURSE, IS TO KEEP THEM FROM MAKING MUCH PROGRESS IN THAT AREA. YEAH, AND KIM REYNOLDS HAS SAID SHE’S NOT PLANNING TO PUT HER THUMB ON THE SCALE, NOT GOING TO MAKE AN ENDORSEMENT AHEAD OF THE PRIMARY. BUT IF YOU TALK TO, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICAN INSIDERS IN THE STATE, THEY SAY THEY WANT A CANDIDATE THAT CAN WIN WITH, YOU KNOW, INCUMBENT LEAVING IF THERE’S ANY VULNERABILITY THERE. THEY WANT WHOEVER TO WIN THAT PRIMARY TO BE SOMEONE THAT CAN ULTIMATELY WIN THE GOVERNOR’S SEAT. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT REPUBLICANS ARE MAYBE THINKING ABOUT OF WHAT MAKES A WINNER TYPE OF CANDIDATE? WELL, THEY’RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER IOWA IS MORE OF A TERRY BRANSTAD KIND OF STATE. I MEAN, WE HEARD THE THINGS IN THE SOUNDBITE THAT FORMER GOVERNOR BRANSTAD SAID ABOUT MIKE NAIG AND BUFFALO. I SHOULD SAY THEY’RE MORE TERRY BRANSTAD KINDS OF REPUBLICANS. OR REPUBLICANS, MORE LIKE ATTORNEY GENERAL BYRD, OF COURSE, WHO WENT TO WASHINGTON TO BE WITH TRUMP. TRUMP, WHEN A JUDGMENT WAS HANDED DOWN FROM THE COURTS. SO I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS, AGAIN, HAVE GOT TO FIGURE OUT WHICH WAY THEY WANT TO GO IN IOWA. I CAME HERE FROM OUT OF STATE IN 1985, AND IOWA WAS VERY DEFINITELY A PURPLE STATE BY 2010. IOWA HAS BECOME A RED STATE. SO IT’S NOT THAT IT’S FOR THE REPUBLICANS. THEY HAVE IT IN THE BAG UNLESS THEY DECIDE TO LOSE IT. AT LEAST AT THIS POINT. BUT THE THE REPUBLICANS CERTAINLY HAVE TO MIND THEIR P’S AND Q’S AND MAKE SURE TO STAY AHEAD OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THAT REGARD. AND WE ALREADY SEE ELEMENTS OF THAT IN TERMS OF REPUBLICAN COMMENTS ABOUT POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES. A LOT TO WATCH HERE, DENNIS. GOOD THING WE’RE STILL 18 MONTHS AWAY AND HAVE LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU TO COME. WE APPRECIATE YOU JOINING THIS MORNING. ANY TIME. STILL TO COME ON CLOSE UP, A PLAN TO GIVE HOMEOWNERS A TAX CREDIT FOR MITIGATING RADON. WHY? SOME SAY IT COULD BE A CRUCIAL STEP FORWARD IN TACKLING IOWA’S CANCER CRISIS. PLUS, IT WOULDN’T EVEN BE AN ISSUE IF BIDEN HAD ENFORCED THE LAW. NO. IOWANS TURN ON EACH OTHER IN A HEATED TOWN HALL. THE FRUSTRATION SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY IS FACING AS HE FIELDS QUESTIONS FROM CONCERNED CONSTITUENTS. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SPENT THE LAST TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM CAPITOL HILL DURING CONGRESS’S EASTER RECESS. SOME OF IOWA’S LAWMAKERS FACED POINTED QUESTIONS FROM FRUSTRATED CONSTITUENTS, WHILE OTHERS OPTED TO SKIP TOWN HALLS ALTOGETHER. I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU DEMOCRATS. WE’VE HAD ENOUGH. A TOWN HALL IN NORTHERN IOWA DEVOLVED INTO A SHOUTING MATCH. SHUT UP! SIT DOWN. AFTER SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY FACED FRUSTRATED IOWANS QUESTIONING THE POWER OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. DO NOT FUND THE SERVICES AMERICANS NEED. GRASSLEY SAYS THOSE TENSIONS LAST THURSDAY WERE MORE INTENSE THAN USUAL. IT’S NOT TYPICAL OF MOST TOWN MEETINGS I HAVE, AND LET’S JUST SAY THIS IS AN OUTLIER. THE WEEK PRIOR. GRASSLEY ALSO FIELDED QUESTIONS FROM CONCERNED CONSTITUENTS. CAN YOU GIVE ALL OF US ANY HOPE AT ALL THAT YOU CAN CONTROL THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES? EARLIER THIS YEAR, NATIONAL REPUBLICANS ADVISED THEIR MEMBERS NOT TO HOLD TOWN HALLS. BUT GRASSLEY SAYS FACE TO FACE MEETINGS ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. YOU CAN’T REPRESENT PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT’S ON THEIR MINDS. TENSIONS ALSO RAN HIGH IN MASON CITY. STATE REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY HINSON’S FIRST TOWN HALL SINCE HER REELECTION. SOME VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT RISING COSTS AND TARIFFS. YOUNG COUPLES TRYING TO BUILD A HOME TODAY IN OUR AREA. THROUGHOUT YOUR DISTRICT, MOST OF THAT LUMBER COMES FROM CANADA. THERE’S TARIFFS ON CANADA. HINSON DEFENDED REPUBLICANS IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS. WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING, WE ARE WORKING ON EXECUTING EXACTLY WHAT WE CAMPAIGNED ON DOING AND WHAT THE PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNED ON DOING. MEANWHILE, IOWA’S THIRD DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE, ZACH NUNN, HAS OPTED FOR PRIVATE LISTENING SESSIONS INSTEAD. WHY NOT HOLD PUBLIC TOWN HALLS? YOU KNOW, WHY CHOOSE TO KIND OF MEET WITH DIFFERENT INDUSTRY MEMBERS INSTEAD? LOOK, I WANT OUR LISTENING SESSIONS TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE. AND SO WE WERE JUST OUT AT A FIFTH GENERATION CATTLE FARM AND BEING ABLE TO TALK DIRECTLY WITH FARMERS AND A FARM COMMUNITY WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY IMPACTFUL FOR US. WE’VE HAD OVER 300 LISTENING SESSIONS. I THINK THAT THAT’S A REALLY IMPORTANT WAY TO FIND SOLUTIONS FROM IOWANS. AND IF YOU’RE ON THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT AND ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS ARGUE, WELL, THEN YOU CAN COME TO OUR OFFICE AND WE’LL HAPPILY MEET WITH EVERYBODY. THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN SPOKE WITH IOWA BUSINESS OWNERS MONDAY, PITCHING A GOP TAX PLAN THAT WOULD EXTEND PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S 2017 TAX CUTS. IF WE DON’T HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR TAX CUT PROGRAM, WE’RE FORCING SO MANY FAMILIES TO EXPERIENCE A NEARLY 22% TAX INCREASE. DEMOCRATS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS THAT THE PLAN COULD MAKE CUTS TO BENEFITS. DO YOU FORESEE THERE BEING CUTS TO MEDICAID? WELL, LET’S BE VERY CLEAR. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FULLY COMMITTED TO SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, AND GOING FORWARD, THAT’S NOT GOING TO CHANGE. THE SAME IS TRUE FOR MEDICAID. I AM FULLY COMMITTED, AND I’M LEADING LEGISLATION TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER CUTS TAKE PLACE IN WASHINGTON, THAT MEDICAID RECIPIENTS DON’T BEAR THE BRUNT OF THAT. A GROUP OF IOWANS VISITED NUNN’S OFFICE LAST THURSDAY ASKING HIM TO OPPOSE CUTS TO GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS, INCLUDING SNAP SCHOOL LUNCHES AND MEDICAID. SOME HELD SIGNS CALLING ON THE CONGRESSMAN TO, QUOTE, PRIORITIZE PEOPLE AND, QUOTE, HOLD A TOWN HALL, RAISING CONCERNS THAT THE REPUBLICAN TAX PLAN INCLUDES, QUOTE, HANDOUTS FOR CORPORATIONS AND BILLIONAIRES. COMING UP NEXT, OPENING UP AVAILABILITY TO ALL DAY CHILD CARE FOR IOWANS WITH PRESCHOOL AGED KIDS. WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE BILL, AND THE PUSHBACK FROM SOME LAWMAKERS. WELCOME BACK. LAST WEEK ON CLOSE UP, WE LOOKED AT IOWA’S CANCER CRISIS AND RADON EXPOSURE IN OUR STATE. A BILL ADVANCING AT THE IOWA STATE HOUSE AIMS TO HELP IOWANS MITIGATE RADON, THE RADIOACTIVE GAS IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER. IF THIS BILL BECOMES LAW, CURRENT HOMEOWNERS WOULD GET A $1,000 TAX CREDIT IF THEY INSTALL A RADON MITIGATION SYSTEM. MORE THAN 70% OF HOMES IN IOWA HAVE RADON LEVELS THAT ARE ABOVE THE AMOUNT DEEMED SAFE BY THE EPA, AND NEARLY 1500 IOWANS ARE EXPECTED TO DIE FROM LUNG CANCER THIS YEAR. MORE THAN 25% OF THOSE DEATHS ARE TIED TO RADON. THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER PUSHING FOR THIS BILL SAYS WHILE IT DOES REQUIRE SOME INVESTMENT FROM THE STATE, LESS IOWANS WILL FACE RADON EXPOSURE. SAVING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HEALTH CARE DOWN THE LINE. WHEN YOU HAVE THE SECOND HIGHEST CANCER RATE IN THE COUNTRY, YOU HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO MAKE THAT BETTER. THIS ONE DOES THAT. IT PAYS FOR ITSELF, AND IT SAVES LIVES. NOW, TIME IS TICKING FOR THIS BILL TO BECOME LAW THIS YEAR. LAWMAKERS ARE IN THE FINAL WEEKS OF SESSION. THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE LAST WEEK, BUT IT ALSO NEEDS APPROVAL FROM THE IOWA SENATE AND GOVERNOR TO BECOME LAW. NOW, A BILL THAT WOULD BRING MAJOR CHANGES TO THE STATE’S CHILD CARE SYSTEM ADVANCED THROUGH THE IOWA SENATE LAST WEEK. THAT BILL WOULD CREATE A NEW $16 MILLION GRANT PROGRAM THAT WOULD GO TO PRESCHOOL PROVIDERS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS THAT WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE ALL DAY CARE. IT WOULD USE SOME FEDERAL FUNDING AND MONEY THAT IS ALREADY BEING USED BY EARLY CHILDHOOD IOWA. WHILE REPUBLICANS SAY THAT WILL NOT IMPACT SERVICES. DEMOCRATS SAY IT WOULD TAKE RESOURCES AWAY FROM OTHER PROGRAMS. YOU’RE GOING TO SEE MORE EFFICIENCY. YOU’RE GOING TO SEE MORE CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE STATE AND EXPECTATIONS, HOW THE DOLLARS ARE BEING UTILIZED. AND YOU’RE GOING TO SEE MORE ACCESS FOR THE PART DAY PRESCHOOL. IF WE COULD JUST TAKE A FRACTION FROM THOSE VOUCHERS AND INVEST IT IN CHILD CARE, WE COULD TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF IOWA FAMILIES. THE BILL WOULD ALSO MAKE ALL CHILD CARE WORKERS ELIGIBLE FOR CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE. IT NOW HEADS TO THE IOWA HOUSE AND SENATE LAWMAKERS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A BILL TO ALLOW HOSPICE HOMES FOR CHILDREN TO OPEN IN IOWA. WHEN A CHILD IS APPROACHING THE END OF THEIR LIFE, WHEN THEY’RE CHRONICALLY ILL, WHEN THEY’RE DYING, THAT CHILD, THAT PATIENT, THAT ENTIRE FAMILY NEEDS A PARTICULAR KIND OF SUPPORT. A GRINNELL MOM HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS BILL SINCE SHE LOST HER SEVEN YEAR OLD SON, MASON, IN HIS FINAL DAYS. SHE SAYS IOWA DID NOT HAVE THE CARE HE NEEDED, AND HER FAMILY HAD TO MOVE FIVE HOURS AWAY TO MINNESOTA. THESE HOSPICE HOMES WOULD HELP CHILDREN FROM THEIR INITIAL DIAGNOSIS THROUGH THE END OF THEIR LIFE, AND OFFER SUPPORT TO THEIR FAMILIES. MASON’S MOM, SHANNA, SAYS THIS IS WHAT HER SON WOULD HAVE WANTED. HE WOULD BE SO PROUD AND HE WOULD BE JUST GLAD THAT WE ARE TRYING TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE. AND HE WANTED, YOU KNOW, IOWA AND EVERY KID TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A HOME LIKE THIS IF THEY NEEDED IT. THE BILL NOW GOES BACK TO THE IOWA HOUSE. THEY’RE EXPECTED TO PASS IT. THAT WOULD SEND THE PROPOSAL TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW. LEADERS IN POLK COUNTY VOTED TO COMBINE AUTOPSY SERVICES WITH THE STATE. HOW? SOME SAY IT COULD SAVE THE COUNTY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WELCOME BACK. LAST WEEK, THE POLK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED 3 TO 2 TO MOVE AUTOPSY SERVICES TO THE STATE LAB IN ANKENY, LOCATED ON THE DMACC CAMPUS. A STUDY ESTIMATES THE MOVE WILL SAVE OVER $1 MILLION IN SALARIES AND ELIMINATE THE NEED TO BUILD A NEW LAB. SUPERVISORS SAY THAT WILL SAVE THE COUNTY BETWEEN 25 AND $45 MILLION. AUTOPSIES ARE CURRENTLY DONE AT BROADLAWNS, AND SOME SUPERVISORS SAY THAT LAB IS OUTDATED AND LACKS SPACE FOR EXPANSION. CONNOLLY AND HOCKENSMITH VOTED NO, BOTH SAYING THE MOVE IS UNNECESSARY. THIS IS WRONG, AND YOU ALL OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED THAT WE’RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUT SOMETHING TURN OVER LOCAL CONTROL TO THE STATE OF IOWA, AND WE’RE NOT SAVING ANY MONEY. YOU CAN TALK ALL YOU WANT, BUT YOU’RE BLAMING THE STATE. YOU’RE BLAMING THE BUILDING. WE’RE GOING TO BUILD THIS BUILDING. NOBODY SAYS WE HAVE TO BUILD A BUILDING. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE IN POLK COUNTY HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMING WELL FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS, AND I THINK THAT’S PUTTING IT VERY KINDLY. WE’VE LOST OUR ACCREDITATION. WE’RE WORKING IN A THIRD WORLD. FACILITY IN TERMS OF THE SIZE AND SCOPE THAT WE’RE TRYING TO HANDLE. THIS GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE AND DO WHAT 97 OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING. AT THE SAME MEETING, THE POLK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PRODUCTION COMPANY THAT’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TV SHOW COPS. IT ALLOWS THE SHOW TO FOLLOW POLK COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTIES AND RECORD THE CALLS THAT THEY’RE RESPONDING TO. THE AGREEMENT DOES ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT TO REVIEW AND COMMENT ON EDITED FOOTAGE BEFORE IT AIRS. THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR ����vlog EIGHT NEWS CLOSE UP. WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT SUNDAY. HAVE A GREAT DAY.