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FOR A TV EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW IN OUR WIDE RANGING DISCUSSION. WE PRESS FOR MORE DETAILS ON HER PLANS FOR NEW GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY DEPARTMENT, HER PROPOSED CHANGES TO HEALTH CARE, SCHOOL CELL PHONE RESTRICTIONS AND MORE. HOW SHE PLANS TO GET IT ALL DONE. THAT’S STRAIGHT AHEAD ON ����vlog EIGHT NEWS. CLOSE UP. THIS IS IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. THIS IS ����vlog EIGHT NEWS. CLOSE UP. GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO ����vlog EIGHT NEWS CLOSE UP. I’M CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER AMANDA ROOKER. LAST MONDAY, LAWMAKERS FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE GAVELED IN FOR THE START OF THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. REPUBLICANS SAY THEY ARE FOCUSED ON CUTTING PROPERTY TAXES. HOUSE GOP LEADERS ALSO WANT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE STATE’S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING FOR MEDICAID WORK REQUIREMENTS. DEMOCRATS WILL NEED REPUBLICAN SUPPORT FOR THEIR PLANS TO BE CONSIDERED, BUT THEY ARE CALLING FOR ACTION TO LOWER THE COST OF CHILDCARE, HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES. ON TUESDAY, GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS LAID OUT HER TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW SESSION IN HER CONDITION OF THE STATE ADDRESS. ONLY ON ����vlog, I SAT DOWN WITH THE GOVERNOR TO GET MORE DETAILS ON HER PROPOSALS. THEY DEAL WITH ISSUES LIKE HEALTH CARE, CELL PHONE USE AND SCHOOL GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND CHILD CARE. I ASKED HER HOW THEY’LL WORK. WELL, GOVERNOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING TIME TO CHAT WITH US. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. HAPPY TO DO IT. THANK YOU. I WANT TO START WITH GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY. IN YOUR CONDITION OF THE STATE SPEECH, YOU ANNOUNCED YOUR LAUNCHING IOWA’S OWN DOJO. YOU SAID THAT EMILY SCHMIDT WILL LEAD THAT. WHO ELSE WILL BE SERVING ON THAT COMMISSION? SO WE’RE STILL BUILDING THAT OUT, AND IT WILL BE JUST A LOT OF ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS LEADERS, AS WELL AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS THE STATE. SO IT’LL BE A GOOD REPRESENTATION OF OUR STATE. WE’D LIKE TO KEEP IT SOMEWHAT SMALL, AND THEN THEY’LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PULL IN OTHER PEOPLE AS THEY SEE FIT. THAT’S KIND OF A TEMPLATE THAT WE’VE USED WITH OTHER TASK FORCE THAT I’VE PUT TOGETHER. BUT SHE IS EXCITED AND READY TO GO AND ALREADY HAS A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS. SO WE’RE STILL KIND OF FINALIZING WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. AND WE’LL GIVE THEM KIND OF SOME BROAD PARAMETERS OF WHAT, YOU KNOW, WE THE EXPECTATION OF THE TASK FORCE. BUT I REALLY WANT THEM TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THEY’RE DOING IN BUSINESS, TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WE’RE DOING THINGS IN GOVERNMENT AND HOW DO WE REALLY MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT, MORE EFFECTIVE, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND AI? AND REALLY, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE MOVING FORWARD? SO WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW, THE OTHER PIECE OF THIS, THE FEDERAL DOSE OF SENATOR ERNST, IS THE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE IN THE US SENATE. AND THEN WE HAVE CONGRESSMAN FEENSTRA AND MARIANNETTE MILLER-MEEKS THAT ARE ON THE HOUSE SIDE. SO JUST THAT CONNECTION BETWEEN WHAT THEY’RE DOING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AS IT NEEDS TO BE, REALLY THEY NEED TO BE CONNECTED, THEN THE STATE, AND THEN WE’LL KIND OF DO THAT LAST LEG DOWN TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT. SO HOPEFULLY WE’LL COME UP WITH SOME GOOD IDEAS. SO WILL THERE BE A CHANNEL BETWEEN THE FEDERAL DOGE AND THE IOWA? OH, ABSOLUTELY. AND THAT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION. EVEN WHEN WE MET WITH THE PRESIDENT, THAT THAT WE REALLY NEED TO SEE WHAT WE’RE DOING AT THE STATE LEVEL TO LOOK AT BLOCK GRANTS TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE WE’VE GOT TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT SOME FLEXIBILITY IN HOW WE IMPLEMENT THIS FUNDING THAT COMES COMES TO THE STATE FROM LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. MAYBE WE CAN DO A BLOCK GRANT FOR THAT INSTEAD OF 12 DIFFERENT STREAMS COMING DOWN. SO THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL DOGE AS WELL AS THE STATE. YOU ALSO MENTIONED IN YOUR CONDITION OF THE STATE ADDRESS ABOUT DOGE THAT THERE CAN’T BE A MEANINGFUL PROPERTY TAX REFORM WITHOUT MAKING SURE THAT IOWA IS LEAN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. SO I’M INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW WILL THE FINDINGS OF DOGE BE IMPLEMENTED? WILL CITY AND COUNTY BUDGETS? WELL, CITIES AND COUNTIES BE MAKING CHANGES BASED ON WHAT DOGE FINDS. WILL THEY BE REQUIRED TO? WELL, I HOPE BASED ON WHAT WE’VE DONE AT THE STATE LEVEL AND $270 MILLION SAVINGS IN 18 MONTHS, IT IS A STRATEGY THAT WE’RE UTILIZING NOT ONLY TO KEEP OUR TAX CUTS PERMANENT, BUT TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO EVEN REDUCE THE TAXES EVEN FURTHER. SO I HOPE, YOU KNOW, OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN BE PROACTIVE AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE’VE DONE AT THE STATE, WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, LOOK INTERNALLY AT WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP STREAMLINE AND MAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE. SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK IF WE CAN DO IT COLLABORATIVELY, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THAT’S ALWAYS BETTER AND WE CAN GET THE RESULTS THAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR. AND LIKE I SAID, I’LL HAVE SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON THE TASK FORCE SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND KIND OF THEIR AREA AND WHAT THEY’RE DOING AND FIGURE OUT WAYS WHERE WE’RE DOING THE SAME THING. OR DOES IT MAKE SENSE? THE PROCESS THAT’S IN PLACE RIGHT NOW, OR IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO DO WHAT WE’RE DOING AND ACCOMPLISH EVEN A BETTER THING? SO, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES WHEN I STAND UP A TASK FORCE, I TRY TO LIKE 100 DAYS, YOU KNOW, MEET, BE FOCUSED, GET IT DONE. THESE PEOPLE ARE BUSY, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE BUSINESS LEADERS, THEY’RE ENTREPRENEURS. THEY HAVE A BUSY LIFE. GET IN. REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT IT. MAKE A RECOMMENDATION. THIS WILL PROBABLY GO JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER. SO I THINK WE’RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT SIX MONTHS. HOPEFULLY REPORT OUT BY DECEMBER. SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS THAT THEY HAVE. SO I’M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. IT’S BEEN IT’S WORKED REALLY WELL FOR ME IN THE PAST. IN THE PAST. EXCUSE ME, THE CHILD CARE TASK FORCE THAT I STOOD UP, WE’VE WE’VE ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTED ALMOST ALL OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, IF NOT ALL OF THEM. AND WITH OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY ADVISORY TASK FORCE THAT WE STOOD UP AFTER COVID, SAME THING. ALMOST ALL OF THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO KIND OF, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, IMPLEMENT. SO IT WAS A GOOD ROADMAP FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD. I WANT TO TURN NOW TO MATERNAL HEALTH. YOU HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROPOSALS ON HEALTH CARE AND A LOT, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT MATERNAL HEALTH. ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBGYNS, THEY SAY IOWA HAS THE FEWEST OB-GYNS PER CAPITA OF ANY STATE. HOW WILL YOUR MATERNAL HEALTH PROPOSALS HELP TO CHANGE THAT? YEAH, SO I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. AND IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THAT IN EVERY SINGLE CORNER OF OUR STATE. IOWANS HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE. AND SO FIRST OF ALL, THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM, I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE’RE GRADUATING MORE PHYSICIANS, DOCTORS, AND WE’RE SENDING THEM OUT OF STATE BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH RESIDENCY SLOTS. SO BY WORKING WITH BROADLAWNS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, WE’LL BE ABLE TO DRAW DOWN OVER $150 MILLION, 115 NEW RESIDENCY SPOTS EACH YEAR, 460 OVER THE FOUR YEAR PERIOD. THAT IS A GAME CHANGER FOR RURAL IOWA. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I’VE ASKED ELLIE. I’VE ASKED KELLY TO APPLY FOR A WAIVER TO GIVE US SOME FLEXIBILITY IN IN SOME OF THE RATES TO REALLY ADDRESS SOME OF THE BASIC NEEDS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL IOWA. SO IF YOU LOOK AT OUR CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE, WE HAVE ONE IN CARROLL, WE HAVE ONE IN ATLANTIC AND GRINNELL. THEY’RE REALLY A GREAT EXAMPLE OF KIND OF A HUB AND SPOKE MODEL. AND BY WE CAN’T VARY THE RATES BASED ON THE NEEDS WITHOUT GETTING A WAIVER FROM CMS. SO WE’RE SHE’S GOING TO GO AHEAD AND APPLY FOR THAT SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. BUT IN THE INTERIM, BECAUSE THAT’S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE. WE’VE LOOKED AT UNBUNDLING OUR RATES. WE’RE ONE OF THE FEW THAT SAY, YOU’RE A MOM THAT’S EXPECTING AND YOU HAVE A HIGH RISK PREGNANCY, AND YOU’RE SEEING THE DOCTOR ONCE A MONTH OR YOU’RE A MOM THAT JUST HAS A NORMAL PREGNANCY, AND YOU GO EVERY THREE MONTHS, THAT PHYSICIAN GETS PAID THE SAME REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY VISITS TO SEE HIM. AND SO THAT DOESN’T HELP THE DOCTOR AND IT DOESN’T HELP THE, THE, THE, THE WOMAN EITHER. AND SO WE ARE UNBUNDLING THE RATES SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE AND WHAT THE NEED IS. AND THEN IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE’RE INCREASING OUR RATES, OUR REIMBURSEMENT FOR OB GYNS AND ANYBODY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS THAT ARE DELIVERING BABIES. AND THEN INCREASING MIDWIVES AS WELL AS DOULAS, DOULAS. SO ALL OF THAT I THINK WILL HELP START TO STABILIZE THAT WORKFORCE, BRING NEW DOCTORS IN, MAKE SURE WE’RE IDENTIFYING DIFFERENT NEEDS AND DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE STATE, AND HOPEFULLY START TO REBUILD THAT THAT WORKFORCE WITH INCREASING THOSE REIMBURSEMENT RATES, ARE THERE QUALITY MEASURES THAT THE STATE WILL PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT HOSPITALS AREN’T JUST GETTING THAT MONEY AND NOT IMPROVING OUTCOMES? YEAH, THAT’S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION. SO THEY REALLY IT REALLY IS TIED TO MATERNAL HEALTH TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE THEY HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN METRICS THAT WE’RE INCENTIVIZING THE TYPE OF CARE THAT WE NEED IN DIFFERENT AREAS. SO THAT IS THAT’S BUILT INTO THAT AS WELL. WHEN WE COME BACK, OUR CONVERSATION ON THE GOVERNOR’S HEALTH CARE PLAN CONTINUES, AND REYNOLDS PLEDGED TO SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP’S MASS DEPORTATION PLAN. I ASKED HER ABOUT HER OFFER TO USE IOWA NATIONAL GUARD AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CARRY IT OUT HERE. HER ANSWER AFTER THE BREAK. WELCOME BACK TO CLOSE UP. LAST WEEK, I SAT DOWN WITH GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS ASKING FOR MORE DETAILS ON HER PROPOSALS FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. I ALSO ASKED HOW PRESIDENT ELECT DONALD TRUMP’S MASS DEPORTATION PLANS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN IOWA AND ON THE GOVERNOR’S HEALTH CARE PROPOSALS. WE DISCUSSED THE LACK OF ACCESS TO BIRTHING CENTERS IN OUR STATE, MATERNAL HEALTH ADVOCATES WANT ACTION, AND I BROUGHT THEIR CONCERNS TO THE GOVERNOR. ONE OF YOUR PROPOSALS ALSO DEALS WITH THE CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROCESS. RIGHT NOW, IOWA HAS ZERO FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS, AND MANY OF THE FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS SAY THEY CAN’T AFFORD TO GO THROUGH THAT CERTIFICATION PROCESS. ARE YOU OPEN TO MAKING FREESTANDING BIRTHING CENTERS EXEMPT FROM THAT PROCESS? YOU KNOW, THAT’S SOMETHING THAT WILL GO WE’RE MOVING THAT WE’RE WE’RE ASKING TO ELIMINATE THE HEALTH FACILITIES COUNCIL. WE’RE ASKING TO MOVE THAT TO HHS. DIRECTOR GARCIA WILL STAND UP AN ADVISORY BOARD TO HELP WITH SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS. WE’RE ALSO BRINGING ON A HEALTH ECONOMIST THAT WILL BE A GAME CHANGER TO REALLY LOOK AT SOME OF THESE SPECIFIC ISSUES SO THAT WE CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS MOVING FORWARD. THE OTHER THING I FORGOT TO SAY A LITTLE BIT AGO IS WE’RE ALSO WE’VE TAKEN FIVE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS. THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT TO TO KEEP DOCTORS IN OUR STATE, COMBINED IT INTO ONE. AND WE’VE DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE’RE PUTTING INTO THAT TO HELP. AGAIN, ENCOURAGE PHYSICIANS THAT WANT TO PRACTICE IN THE STATE. IF THEY PRACTICE IN RURAL IOWA FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEY COULD HAVE ACCESS TO THIS LOAN FORGIVENESS, FORGIVENESS PROGRAM, AND WE’RE OPENING IT UP TO PHYSICIANS THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED OUTSIDE OF THE STATE. IT DOESN’T JUST APPLY TO DOCTORS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN THE STATE, BUT ALSO OUT. AND SO THAT AND THEN JUST MOVING THE CON PROCESS OVER TO HHS AND THEN RESTRUCTURING THE WAY THAT WE DO THAT WITH SOME EXPERTS, WITH OUR HEALTH CARE ECONOMIST, I THINK WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN HOW WE MOVE FORWARD WITH HEALTH FACILITIES. SO AND THEN THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR, IF YOU REMEMBER, HAD ASKED KELLY TO KIND OF REPORT BACK WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THE METRICS WILL BE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. AND I THINK THAT’S DUE THIS DECEMBER. AND SO SHE’S STILL WORKING ON, YOU KNOW, PUTTING THAT TOGETHER TO MAKE THE PRESENTATION TO THE LEGISLATURE. WHEN YOU TALK TO DIRECTOR GARCIA AND THIS NEW HEALTH CARE ECONOMIST, WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO EXEMPTING FREESTANDING? WELL, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DATA. I JUST THAT’S WHY I’M BRINGING HIM ON. I WANT TO SEE WHAT WHAT WHAT METRICS ARE YOU LOOKING AT? WHERE WHERE ARE WE AN OUTLIER. WHERE COULD WE, YOU KNOW, ADVANCE AND MAKE THOSE ACCESSIBLE. SO I’M NOT GOING TO JUST I’M NOT GOING TO DECIDE THAT UNTIL I CAN SIT DOWN WITH THEM AND LOOK WHAT LOOK AT THE DATA AND THEN MAKE A DECISION BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT THEY’RE HELPING PROVIDE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION. WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION COMING IN, AND YOU AND 25 OTHER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS SIGNED ON TO A LETTER PLEDGING YOUR SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT ELECT TRUMP’S MASS DEPORTATION PLAN. YOU ALSO SAID THAT YOU WOULD OFFER IOWA NATIONAL GUARD AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT, IF NEEDED, TO HELP WITH THAT PLAN. YOU KNOW, HOW WOULD THOSE DEPLOYMENTS OF, YOU KNOW, STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NATIONAL GUARD WORK? WELL, YOU KNOW, I’M GOING TO PRESIDENT TRUMP IS GOING TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT. SO HE’S GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HIS PLAN LOOKS LIKE. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WE’VE GOT STATES THAT ARE READY TO HELP HIM IMPLEMENT IT BASED ON WHAT HIS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE. SO HE’S THE ONE THAT HAS TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT. AND THEN I CAN SEE HOW WE CAN HELP FACILITATE THAT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD IF NECESSARY. IT MIGHT NOT EVEN BE NECESSARY. BUT THE THING IS, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ICE THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT ALLOWED THEM TO DO THEIR JOB WHATSOEVER. SO I MIGHT NOT EVEN NEED THE NATIONAL GUARD OR MY LAW ENFORCEMENT IF THE ADMINISTRATION, WHICH PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL DO, WILL ACTUALLY ALLOW ICE TO DO THEIR JOB AND WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO ESPECIALLY THEIR FOCUS ON ON PEOPLE THAT HAVE BROKE THE LAW THAT, YOU KNOW, HAVE, YOU KNOW, THERE’S HORRIBLE EXAMPLES OUT THERE AND WE CAN LIST MULTIPLE LIVES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST UNNECESSARILY, CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN TRAFFICKED. THE LIST IS LONG. AND SO IF YOU’RE AN INDIVIDUAL THAT’S HERE ILLEGALLY AND YOU’VE BROKEN. WELL, THEY’VE BROKEN. THEY ALL BROKE THE LAW CROSSING THE BORDER. BUT, YOU KNOW, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT’S BEEN A GREASY WE CAN HELP WILL WORK WITH THEM TO HELP THEM OR REMOVE THEM FROM FROM THE COUNTRY. AS PRESIDENT ELECT TRUMP TALKED TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HE MAY NEED OR HOW THAT PLAN WOULD WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN IOWA. NO, AND HE’S NOT I MEAN, YOU KNOW, NO, HE’S NOT I’VE NOT TALKED TO HIM PERSONALLY, BUT THEY’LL THEY’RE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW. YOU’VE HEARD VICE PRESIDENT ELECT VANCE TALK ABOUT A PROCESS, BUT THEY’VE NOT LAID THAT OUT. AND SO I’M NOT GOING TO SPECULATE ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. BUT BUT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE A COUNTRY OF LAWS AND THE STATISTICS ARE HORRIFIC. AND IT’S THIS THE INHUMANE WHAT THESE CHILDREN HAVE GONE THROUGH, THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN BROKEN UP, THE CARTEL OWNED THE BORDER. SO WE’VE GOT TO GET ON TOP OF THIS. WE’RE A COUNTRY OF LAWS. WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS. AND THAT’S WHERE HE’S GOING TO START. AND I HAVE WORKED AND TALKED TO SOON TO BE DIRECTOR HOMAN, AND HE IS IN IT FOR THE RIGHT REASON. HE’S WORKED FOR ADMINISTRATIONS, BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT. HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT TAKES TO SECURE THE BORDER. HE UNDERSTANDS WHAT THAT MEANS TO AMERICANS AND THEIR SAFETY, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE’RE NOT ONLY LOOKING AT TRAFFICKING, BUT THE DRUG DRUGS EXPLODING IN EVERY SINGLE STATE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY. AND SO I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR HIM. AND HE HE’S KNOWLEDGEABLE, HE KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING. AND I THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP PICKED THE RIGHT PERSON TO LEAD THAT. COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, OUR ONE ON ONE WITH THE GOVERNOR CONTINUES. WHY SHE’S PUSHING CELL PHONE RESTRICTIONS IN ALL IOWA SCHOOLS. AND HER NEW DETAILS ON HER PLAN FOR PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE CENTER PARTNERSHIPS. WELCOME BACK TO CLOSE UP. GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS IS LAUNCHING A NEW $16 MILLION GRANT PROGRAM. SHE SAYS IT WILL INCENTIVIZE PRESCHOOL PROVIDERS LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND DAYCARE CENTERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE ALL DAY CARE FOR IOWA KIDS. BUT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT PROPOSING MORE FUNDING FOR FULL DAY PRESCHOOL. THAT’S SOMETHING THAT EDUCATION LEADERS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR FOR YEARS. THEY SAY EXPANDED ACCESS TO PRESCHOOL WOULD HELP PREPARE MORE. IOWA KIDS, BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY. IN OUR ONE ON ONE INTERVIEW, I ASKED THE GOVERNOR WHY SHE’S GOING WITH A GRANT PROGRAM INSTEAD. PROPERTY TAXES SEEM TO BE A TOP PRIORITY THIS SESSION. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE AS LAWMAKERS START TO DEVELOP PROPERTY TAX PROPOSALS THIS SESSION? SO WE KIND OF LET THEM TAKE THE LEAD ON IT THIS YEAR, BECAUSE THEY TALKED A LOT ABOUT IT AND SAID THAT WAS ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITIES. SO I’VE KIND OF LET THEM KIND OF TAKE THE LEAD. BUT YOU KNOW, I HEARD IT OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. IOWANS ARE SICK AND TIRED OF WATCHING THEIR PROPERTY TAXES GO UP AND UP AND UP, WATCHING LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPTURE THE INCREASE IN THE EVALUATION LEVY STAY THE SAME, BUT THEY’RE ABLE TO CAPTURE THE GROWTH AND THEREFORE TAXES ARE GOING UP. SO A LOT OF TIMES WE PASS DIFFERENT LAWS TO TRY TO KEEP THEM DOWN. AND WITH THE CURRENT PROCESS, THERE’S WAYS TO STILL CIRCUMVENT THAT. AND TAXES, PROPERTY TAXES CONTINUE TO GO UP. SO I’VE SAT DOWN WITH SENATOR DAWSON AND HE I LIKE THE DIRECTION HE’S GOING IN, THE DIRECTION HE’S GOING IN. IT’S IN THE EARLY STAGES. SO WE’LL CONTINUE TO MEET WITH HIM AND WORK WITH HIM AND THE HOUSE AS WELL. I’VE ALSO SIT DOWN WITH REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN AND HE’S READY TO COME TO THE TABLE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO START TO, YOU KNOW, BRING THOSE PROPERTY TAXES DOWN AND STILL MEET THE SERVICES THAT IOWANS EXPECT. SO AGAIN, WHEN THERE’S DUPLICATION OF SERVICES, THAT DRIVES THE COST UP, PROPERTY TAXES STAY HIGH. SO THAT’S ANOTHER CAN BE ANOTHER PART OF OF DOGE LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP BRING PROPERTY DOWN, PROPERTY TAXES DOWN BY STREAMLINING SERVICES. SO LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN GET ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR. AND IF WE CAN’T, YOU KNOW, IF BECAUSE IT’S HARD, YOU KNOW, IF IT WAS EASY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. AND WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A LONG TIME, KIND OF TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS TO HELP, YOU KNOW, RESTRAIN SOME OF THE GROWTH. BUT IF NOT, THEN WE’RE GOING TO WORK OVER THE ENTIRE INTERIM WITH LEGISLATORS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET THIS TO REALLY ADDRESS THIS. I KNOW CHILD CARE HAS BEEN A BIG PRIORITY AND SO HAS EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING. FOR YOU. PRESCHOOL PROVIDERS HAD BEEN CALLING FOR MORE FUNDING FOR FULL DAY PRESCHOOL. YOUR PROPOSAL INSTEAD WORKS TO INCENTIVIZE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN PRESCHOOL PROVIDERS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO DOWN THAT ROUTE INSTEAD OF FUNDING FULL DAY PRESCHOOL? BECAUSE CHILD CARE, CHILD CARE, CHILD CARE IS ALL WE HEAR ABOUT LACK OF ACCESS, THE IMPACT THAT IT HAS ON WORKFORCE ACROSS THIS STATE. AND SO I HAD TO BE REALLY CAREFUL ABOUT PASSING A LAW THAT WOULD IMPACT OUR CHILD CARE FACILITIES. AND IF WE REMOVE FOUR YEAR OLDS FROM THERE, FROM OUR PRESCHOOL, OUR CHILD CARES. IT WOULD WE WOULD BE TAKING SLOTS OFF LINE. A LOT OF THEM WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THEIR OPERATION BECAUSE THAT’S HOW THEY CASH FLOW. AND SO REALLY, WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATISTICS AND YOU SEE THAT WE’RE FIFTH IN THE NATION FOR ACCESS TO FOUR YEAR OLD PRESCHOOL, WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT 67% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE HAVE SOME ACCESS TO PRESCHOOL, WE’RE DOUBLE ALMOST DOUBLE WHAT THEY THE NATIONAL STATISTIC IS IT’S NOT SO MUCH GETTING KIDS ACCESS, BUT IT’S ABOUT THE CONTINUUM OF CARE. IT’S ABOUT A FAMILY BEING ABLE TO DROP THAT CHILD OFF. HAVE SOMEBODY WATCH THEIR CHILD THROUGHOUT THE DAY, BUT ALSO HAVING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY PRESCHOOL. SOME, SOME, SOME EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. AND SO I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GREAT BALANCE. IT SOLVED THE REAL PROBLEM THAT WE’RE ADDRESSING BY INCENTIVIZING PRESCHOOL PROVIDERS AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TO WORK TOGETHER. AND I THOUGHT THE EXAMPLE THAT I GAVE IN THE CONDITION OF THE STATE, IF YOU GET A CHANCE, YOU SHOULD INTERVIEW THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT’S WORKING AND IT’S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN REALLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT WE’RE FACING. YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THING THAT I DON’T THINK, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE REALLY KNOW IS WE ALREADY HAVE A PROGRAM FOR KIDS THAT HAVE THAT ARE HIGH RISK NEEDS, THAT ALLOWS FOR EXPANDED PRESCHOOL FOR THEM. SO FOR KIDS THAT HAVE HIGH RISK FACTORS, THERE’S ALREADY A PROGRAM IN PLACE THAT HELPS US EXTEND THAT. AND WE’VE ACTUALLY PUT MORE MONEY INTO THAT. SO WE CAN EVEN MAKE SURE THAT THAT THE KIDS THAT NEED IT ARE GETTING IT. SO I THINK IT’S A GOOD COMPROMISE. I THINK IT’S A GOOD SOLUTION. WE’VE GOT GREAT EXAMPLES OF HOW IT’S ALREADY WORKING, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WE’VE GOT A LOT OF INTEREST ALREADY. WE’RE ALREADY HAVING SCHOOL DISTRICTS REACH OUT TO US. SO WE’RE PUTTING THAT GRANT PROGRAM TOGETHER, AND THEN WE’LL HAVE THE TEAM GO OUT AND WORK WITH SCHOOLS AND DAYCARE PROVIDERS AND JUST HELP THEM KIND OF FACILITATE THAT PARTNERSHIP AND SEE IF WE CAN’T REALLY START TO REALLY MEET THE NEEDS OF OF A CONTINUUM OF CARE. AND THAT’S REALLY WHAT THE ISSUE IS ON YOUR PROPOSAL ABOUT ELECTRONIC DEVICE RESTRICTIONS IN SCHOOLS. YOU LAID OUT IN YOUR CONDITION THE STATE SPEECH, JUST WHAT THE DATA SHOWS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, OVERUSE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES, THOUGH WE DO HEAR FROM SOME PARENTS CONCERNS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THEIR KIDS NOT HAVING A CELL PHONE. IN THE CASE THAT TRAGEDY STRIKES AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM. WHAT’S YOUR MESSAGE TO THOSE PARENTS WHO MAY BE CONCERNED ABOUT RESTRICTIONS? WELL, SO THAT’S PART OF THE PROPOSAL THAT WE’RE PUTTING FORWARD. BUT REALLY IT’S IT’S THE FLOOR TO AT LEAST NOT HAVE A CELL PHONE USE DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME. SO THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DECIDES THAT THAT’S THE PATH THEY WANT TO GO TO ACCESS THEIR PHONE WHEN THEY’RE NOT IN IN THE CLASSROOM. BUT WE’VE ALSO, AS PART OF THE PROPOSAL, SAID THAT EACH SCHOOL BOARD WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THEIR SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HOW THEY THERE’S EXCEPTIONS AND HOW THEY WOULD HANDLE ANY TYPE OF AN EMERGENCY SO THAT THEY’RE THINKING THROUGH WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. SO THAT’S PART OF THE PROPOSAL THAT WE’RE PUTTING FORWARD. BUT, YOU KNOW, IT’S THE DATA IS THERE BOTH NATIONALLY AND HERE IN IOWA, SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED THIS ARE SEEING TREMENDOUS RESULTS FROM IT. I HAD SUPERINTENDENTS SAY I WALKED INTO THE LUNCHROOM WHERE I WOULD NEVER HEAR ANYTHING, AND IT WAS SO LOUD AND NOISY BECAUSE THE KIDS WERE COMMUNICATING AND TALKING TO EACH OTHER. AND ENJOYING THEIR TIME. AND SO, YOU KNOW, THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON SCHOOL WORK WHEN THEY’RE IN THE CLASSROOM AND JUST MAYBE HAVE A CONVERSATION AND ENJOY EACH OTHER’S COMPANY WHEN THEY’RE AT BREAK OR IN THE LUNCHROOM. THIS WE NEED TO WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO COMMUNICATE AND BE ABLE TO SOCIALIZE. AND ESPECIALLY AFTER COVID, A LOT OF THE KIDS THAT REALLY, YOU KNOW, SPENT SOME TIME WITHOUT THAT. I THINK THIS EXACERBATED SOME OF THE DATA THAT WE HAD COMING OUT OF COVID. AND SO IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WE’RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. AND I JUST I SAID IT IN THE CONDITION OF THE STATE, BUT I JUST I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT AND I CERTAINLY APPLAUD THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE MOVED FORWARD WITH THIS, THAT HAVE WORKED WITH THE PARENTS AND THE TEACHERS AND THE ADMINISTRATORS TO FIND A SOLUTION THAT MEETS THEIR COMMUNITY. AND WE’VE GOT PROBABLY OVER HALF I CAN GET THAT STATISTIC, BUT THEY’RE GOING TO DO ANOTHER SURVEY TO SEE HOW MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE MOVED FORWARD WITH THIS. BUT A GOOD DEAL OF THEM HAVE. AND SO I WANTED TO BE RESPECTFUL FOR THAT WORK. AND THAT’S WHY I SAID THIS WOULD BE THE FLOOR. AND THEN THEY CAN DECIDE FROM THERE. GOVERNOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING TIME TO CHAT WITH US. WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR ����vlog EIGHT NEWS CLOSE UP. WE’LL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT SUNDAY. HAVE A GREAT DAY.