Koelker and Bradley’s votes hurt rural Iowa

To the Editor,

   Roses to our local representatives and thorns to state officials Senator Carrie Koelker and Representative Steve Bradley.

   The Jones County Supervisors hosted a forum with Koelker and Bradley at their Dec. 5 regular meeting. The discussion quickly focused on the 2023 spending limit legislation Koelker and Bradley voted for. The signed legislation, House File 718, will prevent rural counties from adequately funding essential services like roads, law enforcement, and mental health staffing.

   During the forum, the county sheriff, attorney, and all supervisors were united in opposing Koelker’s and Bradley’s votes on the new law that will take rural counties backwards, with one supervisor commenting, “We’ll be living on dirt roads.”

   Koelker and Bradley defended themselves. In the future, they stated, they can always be contacted with concerns. Curiously, this is exactly what Jones County officials did when they held a similar forum one year ago, on Dec. 6, 2022. At that time and just before the legislative session began, lack of road funding, law enforcement, and mental health staffing shortages were all discussed. Instead of listening, Koelker and Bradley ignored local concerns and voted against the citizens of Jones, Jackson and Dubuque counties.

   Are Koelker and Bradley more anxious to appease their colleagues, the governor, and lobbyists in Des Moines? We have locally elected officials trying their hardest to provide for us. However, after the vote on House File 718 and with more tax cuts being bandied about, will Koelker and Bradley continue to ignore our local leaders and vote against what their constituents need?

Bob Gertsen

Oxford Junction, Iowa