March 28, 2024

Rep. Axne meets with the UCDA to discuss state issues

Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) met with the members of the Union County Development Association at the Roundhouse, 301 W. Montgomery St., 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to discuss state and local issues, as well as those relating to COVID-19.

Axne shared her stance on continued funding for small businesses and unemployment during the pandemic, state agriculture, and the use of bio fuels during the hour long meeting.

“One of the things I’ve been fighting for in the next COVID package is to get bio fuels a direct support for our ethanol industry and bio fuels into the bill, literally written in,” Axne said. “If we can get it written in, then we will get support for it.”

Axne also spoke on issues such as providing PPE to schools and essential workplaces, tracking COVID dollars, and funding the USPS. For many people, specifically those who get prescription drugs through the mail, interrupted postal service can be a matter of life and death, she said.

“I’m in full support of making sure that we keep our postal service up and running, that we have the resources that we need to get mail out to people on a regular basis,” Axne said.

Axne addressed the group of 10 present about what she wants to see go into a COVID bill, sharing her stance on supporting state and local entities, while removing unnecessary expenses.

“Here’s what we need to do, folks. We need to cut out the fat on both sides,” Axne said. “When the Republicans negotiated it in the Senate, and when the Democrats negotiated it in the House, both sides put in what I consider wasteful spending on issues not related to COVID.”

According to Axne, a COVID-19 relief package that gets rid of “wasteful spending” on both sides and only focuses on the urgent issues is what Iowa needs. Axne is pushing for such a conclusion to be met in Washington, one that will focus only on the issues at hand, and not mix non-essential issues with those surrounding the pandemic crisis and its effects, she said.

“There are a lot of people who want to use the structures and systems to benefit their own, you know, whatever they’re pushing for,” Axne said. “... I’m going to continue to fight really hard to make sure that we get what we need here in Iowa.”

The new COVID-19 relief package is on hold, since there has not yet been an agreement made on the matter, she said.

“We really want to make sure the COVID package gets taken up in the House. We’re at a stale mate, unfortunately,” Axne said.

What they do agree on, however, is the desire for the package to include support for small businesses, she said.

Axne hopes to retain her seat and have the opportunity to do more to separate what is essential, from what is non-essential for Iowans, she said.

“I can’t wait to hopefully be able to continue to do that,” Axne said. “And bring even more opportunities to places like Creston.”