Representative Greg Heartsill says despite concerns of stagnation at the beginning of the recently closed legislative session, he feels the House was able to accomplish a lot by the end.

Heartsill worked with the ACLU at the end of session to pass a law preventing municipalities from penalizing Iowans for overusing the 911 system. Heartsill says there should not be barriers to assistance for those who need it and pointed out that Iowa already has criminal penalties for misuse of 911. Some cities had begun classifying frequent or frivolous callers as a “nuisance.” The Right to Assistance bill that Heartsill worked on outlaws such classifications. The next session will begin in January. In the interim Heartsill is facing a Democratic challenge to his seat from either Marty Duffy or Lois Dewaard who face each other in the primary.