Luana Stoltenberg is one of two Republicans seeking the GOP nomination in Iowa House District 81. Here are her answers to The Iowa Standard’s 2022 Legislative Survey:
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
Describe your worldview and how that will influence you as a legislator:
I have a Biblical Worldview so every decision I make is based on that view and what God’s Word says about that issue or legislation brought before the House for a vote.
In your opinion, what are the three most pressing issues the legislature should address:
The three most pressing issues the legislature should address are the protection of the unborn, the freedoms of every Iowa citizen, and protecting our children in the classroom from agendas of sexual perversions, transitioning, racial bigotry, and other socialistic agendas.
Feel free to explain your ideal tax policy/policies for Iowa (included in this section in order to allow for as much flexibility as possible):
I think our legislators did a good job this year of eliminating taxes on retirement income and lowering State taxes to 3.9%. I would love to see us lower taxes even more so hardworking Iowans can keep more of their hard-earned money.
FREE MARKET:
Do you believe the government should force consumers to buy a product:
No, the government should never be able to force consumers to buy a product. I believe in freedom.
Do you believe the government should force retailers to sell a product:
No, I do not believe the government should force retailers to sell a product. I believe in a free market.
Do you support reforming or eliminating Iowa’s Certificate of Need laws:
Yes, I support eliminating Iowan’s Certificate of Need laws. CON laws restrict Iowans’ access to healthcare. CON causes the Healthcare providers to focus more on completion and profit rather than the patients’ needs. We need for the process to take place, the need will create the supply and demand.
Do you support periodic reviews of all government licenses and boards to ensure they’re necessary:
Yes, I support periodic reviews of all government licenses and boards to ensure they are necessary. Things and life changes and as it changes we need to review and evaluate boards and services to see if they are meeting the expectations and requirements of what they were created for, I think that is a must for taxpayers’ trust and for accountability.
LIFE:
Do you support the Protect Life Amendment to the Iowa Constitution:
YES, I support the Protect Life Amendment. There is no right to kill the unborn in the Iowa Constitution so we must define and set that in writing so we are able to protect the most defenseless of all.
When do you believe life begins and at what stage does it deserve protections under the law:
Life begins at conception and that is when we need to protect each unique life.
EDUCATION:
Would you support universal Education Savings Accounts for Iowa families:
Yes, I would support Education Savings Accounts for Iowa families. Parents should have a say in where and how their child is educated. I believe it would create a healthy competition in the educational system, raising the standards and allowing the parents to have a greater voice.
Do you believe obscene materials and pornographic materials belong in public school libraries:
NO. Our children, no matter the age should NEVER be exposed to obscene or pornographic materials. I would go so far as to say that is child abuse and should be prosecuted. It is no different than child pornography and pedophilia, which is illegal.
In what grade should schools begin providing instruction to students on sexual orientation and gender identity:
I do NOT believe sexual orientation or gender identity should be taught in our schools. Our schools should teach reading, writing, math and basic subjects, and sex issues should be taught in the home.
Would you support a bathroom bill in Iowa, that states biological males use the boys’ bathroom and biological females use the girls’ bathroom:
Yes, I would support a bathroom bill that would state biological males use a male bathroom, and biological females use the female bathroom. We must protect girls from being emotionally and sexually abused.
LGBTQ:
Should gender identity be stripped out of the Iowa Civil Rights code:
Yes, it should be stripped out of the Iowa code. There should be no special rights.
Should Iowa make it illegal for minors to undergo sex-change surgery and treatments:
Yes, Iowa should make it illegal for minors to undergo sex-change surgery. Minors are too young to decide who they are and what they want for the rest of their life. Many times these surgeries are irreversible and cause permanent damage to the child. It is child abuse.
Should Iowa schools/teachers ask students for preferred pronouns:
No Iowa schools and teachers should not ask students for preferred pronouns because there is only two genders, male and female. We are confusing children by bringing in agendas that are not truth.
Should Iowa require schools/teachers to share a child’s “preferred pronoun” and/or “gender identity” with the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s):
There should always be open communication and transparency between parents and schools/ teachers, especially if the child is going through difficulties, but I do not think they should be required. We should always have the student’s best interest at hand, especially if it is a safety issue.
Do you support banning conversion therapy (making it illegal for a parent to take a child to a health care professional to talk about confusion as it relates to sexual orientation or gender identity)?
No, I do not support banning counseling by a pastor or a person who would counsel a child in the truth of the Word of God.
COVID RELATED:
Do you believe any institution – whether private or governmental – should be able to mandate a vaccination?
No
How could the Iowa legislature have handled the COVID pandemic differently?
Governor Reynolds did a good job for Iowa, but I do not think we ever should have closed churches or businesses. It is our religious constitutional freedom to worship and gather at churches. I believe it was necessary for people’s mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health to continue to meet, pray and worship at church during Covid.
Do you believe Iowa should reform the Governor’s emergency powers?
I believe we should always be looking to reform and adjust laws and powers as life transforms. Governor Reynolds did a wonderful job of keeping us safe and yet free during Covid months.
CLOSING QUESTIONS:
Are there any issues of disagreement you have with the Republican Party of Iowa platform from 2018?
I agree with the 2018 platform for the Republican Party.
What improvements, if any, would you make to Iowa’s voting laws to ensure elections are fair and full of integrity?
Every person voting should be required to be a citizen of the USA, and should be required to show identification. Absentee voting should be limited and for a short window before the elections with accountability followed and security of every ballot.
Iowa House District 81:
Stoltenberg’s Facebook Page:
https://m.facebook.com/stoltenbergforhouse
Sean Hanley, the other Republican running in the district, has not yet responded to the survey.
