Lynn Evans is running for the Republican nomination in Iowa House District 3. Rep. Dan Huseman is retiring from the legislature. For more information on Evans, visit his Facebook page.
1. What is the proper role of government:
Provide for public health, safety, and welfare. Establish and enforce laws and establish the court system. Maintain and uphold the state’s Constitution and ratify amendments.
2. What issues do you consider non-negotiable:
Protecting the rights of the unborn. Protecting our 1st and 2nd amendment rights. Maintaining a balanced state budget that funds our priorities responsibly without creating an increased burden on our taxpayers.
3. What concerns do you have about how the COVID-19 situation was handled by the government, if any:
The Governor has done as good of a job as can be expected under these conditions. Making decisions based on the best information provided. I support the Governor’s recent decision to begin to reopen our hospitals and surgical centers for elective surgeries.
The next step is to allow our churches to open up. I believe that church services should never have been restricted to begin with. It was an infringement on our 1st amendment rights. We need to trust our church leaders and church members to make the decision to safely open up for worship, if they so choose.
I believe we need to seriously examine Chapter 29C in the Iowa Code so that in the event of future emergency declarations our rights and freedoms as Iowans are preserved while still maintaining public safety.
4. At what point do you believe a human life is guaranteed the legal protections of being an American citizen and what would you do to ensure those protections are provided?
Life begins at conception. At the time of conception this new life is a genetically unique individual. While containing the genetics of both parents, it is unique from either parent and only needs the proper environment to live and thrive. All life is a gift from God and should be afforded all rights and protections to live and thrive.
We need to continue the work to amend the Constitution of the State of Iowa so that it cannot be interpreted that abortion is a right in this state. Then we need to work to get the fetal heartbeat bill passed back into law, although I would want to see the bill recognize life at conception rather than first heartbeat.
5. Would you support a religious freedom and restoration act in the state of Iowa?
Yes, as long as its purpose is to protect the free exercise of religion and protecting the right of religious liberty for all citizens. Government should never prohibit the free exercise of religion.
6. Would you support mandatory E-Verify in Iowa?
Employers should have a responsibility to ensure that newly hired individuals are eligible to work in the United States. I support mandatory E-Verify in our state.
7. Would you support banning traffic cameras, why or why not?
I would entertain the discussion. It isn’t a topic that I have a strong opinion about.
8. What, if any, measures would you support to curb gun violence?
John Lott in his book “More Guns, Less Crime” talks about the effect of “shall issue” laws on violent crime. He concludes that shall issue laws decrease violent crime. This makes some sense because criminals are deterred by the potential of attacking an armed victim. Data on metropolitan areas in the U.S. with the strictest gun laws tend to show an increase in violent crime. Iowa is one of 42 states that have a “shall issue” law. I support Iowa’s shall issue law.
The real problem with gun violence is an issue of intent and lies within the heart and mind of the individual, not the gun itself.
9. What percent of the state’s budget do you believe should go toward education?
Currently, approximately 40% of our state’s budget supports the education system (PreK-12). An additional 15% supports the community college system and regent universities. Any reduction in that amount would result in cuts to education. Iowa has a long history of valuing education, as such, we need to continue to work to fully fund our schools without increasing taxes.
10. Would you support education savings accounts?
We have education savings accounts for parents planning for their children’s college education. I would support similar education savings accounts for parents choosing private education, or competent private instruction (homeschooling) for their children.
11. What do you think of Iowa’s current tax structure?
Iowa’s economy is in competition with 49 other states. We need to continue to work on tax reform that encourages entrepreneurship, and allows taxpayers to keep more of their hard earned income that they can put back into their local economies.
12. Are there any state regulations you would like to see removed?
Due to the Covid-19 emergency, there has been a loosening of the state’s certificate of need rules requiring government permission before expanding services. The current regulations suppress competition, decreasing healthcare options and increasing costs. This is a regulation that should be changed through legislation.
Telemedicine has been encouraged as an option during the Covid-19 emergency. Requirements have been removed temporarily for face-to-face appointments for some medical needs. This is a regulation I would like to see changed through legislation, as well. This also increases options for patients and has the potential to decrease costs.
13. What are your views on climate change and what, if anything, should the government’s role be in addressing climate change?
The Earth has undergone climate change, cyclically throughout history. Focusing on clean water, improving our lakes and streams, clean air and preserving our natural resources in our state are issues that I fully support. I do not support state government mandates or subsidies under the guise of reversing climate change.
14. Do you support expanding use of medical marijuana? Would you support recreational use of marijuana?
I would support expanding the use of medical marijuana as long as sound research exists and current best medical practices support its expanded use.
I am not in support of legalizing recreational use of marijuana.
Iowa House District 3:
