Grace Smith
House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, applauds during the opening of the 2022 Legislative Session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. During Grassley’s opening speech, Grassley said he is looking forward to working with House Majority Leader Matt W. Windschitl. This will be their third session together and their 16th year in the legislature together.
DES MOINES — The 2022 legislative session convened on Monday. Leadership from both the House and the Senate gave opening remarks regarding tax cuts, workforce conditions, and more.
House Speaker Pat Grassley, R- NewHartford, said solving workforce shortages will be a top priority for Republicans this session. Grassley said there needs to be an integrated approach.
“We need to get creative and we need to work together along with the Governor as well as the Senate try to find solutions,” he said.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said in her opening remarks that misinformation is one of the greatest threats to Iowa.
“As elected officials we have a deep responsibility to not just tell the truth, but to defend the truth and hold each other accountable,” Konfrst said.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, said that high taxes close schools and cause residents to move to other states.
“We must improve our competitive advantage to attract new residents and create new career opportunities,” Whitver said Monday.
While the House and Senate were in session, a few hundred peopled gathered in the capitol rotunda to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Ryan Smithson said he attended the rally to fight for his medical freedom. Smithson showed his disapproval toward mask and vaccine use by displaying a sign that read “I call my own shots.”
Another attendee, Gabby Fistler said she attended to “make sure the voices of Iowans are heard.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds will give the Condition of the State Address Tuesday night, where she will describe her priorities for the session.
The 2022 session will end in April, lasting 100 days.