DES MOINES – Democrats, badly beaten in elections here in ruby-red Iowa, are introducing a bill to set term limits and ban stock trading by elected legislators, hoping to “restore public trust and integrity in state government”.
This week, State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott (D-West Des Moines) and State Senator Zach Wahls (D-Coralville) unveiled new legislation aimed at shaking up the political establishment by introducing term limits for members of the Iowa Legislature and banning state legislators from trading stocks while in office. Both measures seek to restore public trust and integrity in state government by preventing power from becoming too deeply entrenched.
Under the term limit proposal, legislators in the Iowa State Legislature would be limited to serving twelve consecutive years before being required to step down. The stock trading ban would prohibit sitting legislators from buying or selling individual stocks during their term, ensuring that personal financial interests do not override the public good.
“Iowans are fed up with politics as usual,” said Senator Sarah Trone Garriott. “Our state government is not addressing the issues that Iowans need solved right now: the sky-high cost of housing, healthcare, childcare, and everyday items, Iowa’s unacceptable cancer rates, and the hollowing out of our rural communities. No legislator should be able to ignore the needs of their constituents–and profit from it–just because they have a safe seat.”
Senator Zach Wahls emphasized that this is the start of a conversation about much needed changes to Iowa’s government. “For far too long, power has rested in the hands of a few who are more focused on personal gain than on delivering for everyday Iowans,” added Senator Zach Wahls. “Banning stock trading in the legislature and setting term limits sends a clear message: we’re here to serve the people of Iowa, not the special interests who help politicians get rich. It’s time for bold action to bring true accountability to our government.”
State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott was first elected in 2020 and represents Dallas County. State Senator Zach Wahls was first elected in 2018 and represents Johnson County.
Republicans have a death grip on the entire state government in Iowa. They hold big majorities in the House and Senate, Kim Reynolds is entrenched in the Governor’s seat ever since Terry Branstad quit to work in China, the judicial branch is loaded with Reynolds’ appointments, and Brenna Bird is a steadfast MAGA follower in the Attorney General’s office. Only Auditor Rob Sand remains, and his power is diminished by actions by Republicans.
Term limits are racist, and therefor wicked.
Why?
like the stock trade ban, need to do it at the federal level
Why? Because ( ͝° ͜ʖ͡°) (from here on called FF) is an idiot.