Congresswoman Ashley Hinson outlines priorities, fields questions at town hall discussion in Allamakee County

U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson from Iowa’s First District hosted a town hall discussion Thursday morning, September 16 at the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon as part of a northeast Iowa trek that day that also included a tour of the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation facility in Calmar and a tour of the Fareway grocery store in Manchester. Approximately two dozen area residents were in attendance at the hour-long session in Waukon, which included an introduction by Hinson of her priorities as a legislator followed by fielding questions from the audience in attendance in an effort to gather information and feedback to take with her to Washington, D.C. from the area she represents.

Hinson outlined her legislative service priorities as protecting taxpayers, ensuring the safety and security of Iowa families, and providing a strong voice for rural Iowa. She also initially spoke on the current situation in Afghanistan, noting specifically what she called a “lack of planning” and a “botched withdrawal,” in addition to leaving behind military equipment and the loss of established intelligence measures, along with the deaths of U.S. servicemen and the leaving behind of other U.S. citizens.

Hinson also expressed concerns with the safety and security of the southern border of the United States, specifically mentioning drug and terrorist concerns and suggesting completion of the border wall and better communication as possible remedies. She also spoke at length about the current budget plan she says she is overall not in favor of but does agree with certain aspects of, and she stated that more work needs to be done on disaster preparedness in both prior preparation and recovery follow-up.

Hinson also noted the pride she feels in the bipartisan Iowa delegation working together to help pass the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans’ Mental Health Act that creates new programs within the Veterans Affairs (VA) program that are specifically targeted at increasing mental healthcare access in rural areas.

The legislation is named after Iowa veteran Brandon Ketchum, who took his own life in 2016 after he was denied access to mental health services related to post-traumatic stress disorder at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility.

In fielding questions from the audience, Hinson was first asked by Karen Pratte of Waterville if she supports lowering drug prices, Pratte specifically mentioning House Resolution 3. Hinson replied that although she supports lowering drug prices, legislation to do so needs to “strike a balance between better regulation and innovation” when it comes to drug companies.

Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Schellhammer voiced concerns over the damage thresholds implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) not being allowed to cross state lines following a natural disaster. Schellhammer expressed his concern that the shared damage that such disasters can cause in Allamakee County and through adjacent tri-state area counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota is not eligible as a shared damage amount toward the FEMA threshold, even though FEMA is a federal program and not specifically state-based.

Schellhammer also spoke of the lengthy process of settlements through FEMA, suggesting a “fast-track FEMA,” where counties may consider taking less money in a damage settlement in exchange for receiving that funding sooner. Hinson took note of Schellhammer’s suggested points and said she could add those to future discussions regarding disaster preparedness.

Leslie Sand of Decorah asked if Hinson supported House Resolution 2307, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2021 which would provide dividend payments to U.S. residents derived from a carbon fee paid by corporations in an effort to encourage clean energy technologies and market efficiencies. Hinson said she has not looked fully into the proposed legislation and would not commit her support to any legislation without first thoroughly looking into it.

Brenda Hackman, Manager of Economic Development & Community Relations with Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative asked Hinson if she was aware of any plan being discussed that would assist rural areas, such as Allamakee County, in improving access to broadband connectivity, noting areas where advertised internet speeds are not being reached. Hinson said she does not know of any specific plans but knows that it is a problem and that a solution to that problem is taking far too long to address.

Several area residents in attendance brought up the topics of mask and vaccine mandates regarding COVID-19. Hinson said she does not agree with the recent vaccine mandate handed down by the current administration - noting that such a vaccination should be a person’s choice, but she suggested that such mandates and the more recent decision by a federal judge to suspend the banning of mask mandates by some states will likely play out through the legal system.

Hinson was also apprised by Waukon resident Christine Enyart of resources suggested for use in regard to COVID-19, noting infectious disease specialist Stephen Petty and industrial hygienist Kristen Meghan Kelly. Decorah resident Tristan Round also expressed concerns over COVID-19 information being removed from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. Hinson mentioned that context of any information regarding COVID-19 is most important, also noting that although she knows there are “good people” at the CDC, the organization is losing credibility with what she described as “mixed messages.”

In a final point of discussion, Pratte asked if Hinson was in support of “making corporations pay their fair share” in funding the current budget plan being debated. Hinson replied that, while she supports such things as better access to childcare and health protection in the workplace, she does not want to “make anyone pay more taxes, especially when we’re talking about the amount of dollars that I don’t think we need to be spending right now.”