From the Desk of Senator Hardman
This has been a challenging week – not because of some of the troubling bills that passed through debate – it is learning of the death of one of my constituents, Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, a sophomore at Drake University and Army reservist from West Des Moines who was killed in action in Kuwait on Sunday, March 1. He graduated from Valley High School. The attack also killed five other soldiers assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, a Des Moines based unit – Cap. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Florida; Sgt 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Armor, 39, of Minnesota; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of California; and Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa.
I am profoundly moved by their service to our country and in awe of their bravery in the face of escalating danger. They paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Let’s pray for the families who show us what the word SERVICE truly means. May they all rest in eternal PEACE.
Grateful for your selfless service.
Stop by the Capitol for a visit!
Between January and May I have the pleasure of coming to work at our gorgeous state Capitol. It’s an incredible living museum, filled with history and stories. During the legislative session, the building is packed to the brim with Iowans from every corner of our state – from advocates and activists to school children and tourists, and everyone in between.
I love getting the opportunity to chat with visitors and hear all about the issues and policies important to you. Here are a few tips for anyone planning a trip to Iowa’s Golden Dome.
When to come: The Capitol is open year-round between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The Senate and House are usually in session Monday through Thursday from January through late April or early May, so if you’re looking to meet me or another legislator, or see the Senate in action, this would be a great time.
Watch debate: The Senate gallery is open to the public during debate, so you can sit in, watch the discussion, and see us cast votes in person from a seat overlooking the chamber.
Meet me in the rotunda: I’m always thrilled to meet with my constituents, so please come say hi! Outside the Senate chamber, on the second floor, there is a pad of “pink slips” where you can write a message and provide your contact information. Hand the slip to a Senate employee near the chamber door and they’ll deliver it to me on the floor. When there’s a break in the action, I’ll come out to say hello, talk to you about an issue or policy, and take a photo, if you’d like!
Take a tour: The Capitol is truly a sight to behold, and it’s staffed by highly knowledgeable guides who lead tours throughout the day and can give an in-depth history behind the building and its unique characteristics. If a self-guided tour is more your speed, those are available as well. For groups of 10 or more, be sure to click here to send in a request in advance.
Let’s make a plan: If you know you’re going to be visiting the Capitol – especially with a group – please reach out in advance and we’ll be happy to assist you. If I know you’re coming, I’ll be sure to set aside some time to meet and even formally introduce and recognize you on the Senate floor!
Quick Updates
Iowa’s budget mess gets messier: A bill introduced this week, SSB 3182, has two key provisions that will impact the state budget. The first increases the state tax on health insurance companies — which will be passed along to Iowans through higher insurance costs. The second increases the amount of money the state can transfer from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to cover future budget deficits. When put together, these elements are an acknowledgement from the majority party that we have not seen the revenue growth they promised, and that they plan to run budget deficits for the foreseeable future. It’s a clear sign that they do not know how to get us out of the budget mess they created.
As tax time approaches, a reminder that recent changes at the federal level says mail might not receive a postmark on the same day your local post office receives it. Plan ahead when filing your 2025 tax return. Click to view the USPS rule that took effect on Dec. 24, 2025.
Community Colleges visit Des Moines: I had the opportunity to visit with community college representatives during Community College Day on the Hill on Tuesday, March 3. Each of Iowa’s 15 community colleges hosted a table showcasing successful programs, student achievements, and business partnerships that strengthen local communities. This year’s theme, “60 Years of Impact,” celebrated the 60th anniversary of Iowa’s community college network – a milestone that highlights decades of legislative work expanding access to affordable, high-quality higher education for Iowans. Students, educators, and business partners were on hand to share stories about how community colleges continue to drive opportunity and workforce success across the state.
Economic impact of Iowa’s universities: The Board of Regents received an economic impact update report showing Iowa’s public universities contributed $18 billion to the state economy in FY 2023–2024 – up from $14.9 billion in 2021–2022. The study also notes that the total of university activity supports more than 214,000 jobs, which is one out of 10 jobs in Iowa, and returns more than two dollars for every taxpayer dollar spent.
This Week in the Capitol
Wishing one of my favorite constituents – Jan Fleming – a very happy 90th birthday.
Attending Legislative Forum for Windsor Heights with Representative Jennifer Konfrst and Mayor of Windsor Heights – Mike Jones.
Wonderful Clive Chamber dinner! Yes, there were people there. Proud to serve my constituents of Clive!
Meeting up with friends at the Clive Chamber dinner – Past WSDM City Council Member – Loretta Sieman & WSDM Superintendent – Dr. Matt Adams.
Always a good night when you catch up with leaders in Clive.
An impactful meeting with Speech-Language Pathologists in my district – Megan Tucker of 143 Speech Therapy and Alicia Pralle of TalkPlay Junction. Thank you serving the youth of Iowa!
So appreciative of how The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) and its affiliates show up for women and domestic violence survivors.