No Tax on 2nd Jobs
Your Extra Hours Belong in Your Wallet, Not the State Budget
The Problem:
We Are Taxing Hard Work Right now, working families in District 88 are getting squeezed. You work a standard 40 hour week just to keep the lights on and put food on the table. But when you take on a second job, start a small business in your garage, or pick up weekend shifts to actually get ahead, the government steps in and takes a cut of your extra sacrifice. That is backwards. We should be rewarding the grind, not penalizing it.
The Solution:
100 Percent Tax Free Secondary Income It is time for the Iowa Side Hustle Shield. I am proposing a complete, uncapped state income tax exemption for your secondary source of income. If you are working two jobs, whichever job earns less will be completely exempt from Iowa state income taxes. Every single penny you earn from that second effort stays right where it belongs in your bank account.
The Numbers:
Massive Relief for the Middle Class
The Guardrails: This relief is laser focused on the working class. It is strictly for single earners making under $75,000 and joint filers making under $150,000.
The Benefit: With Iowa's new 3.8 percent flat tax rate, a single earner maximizing this benefit could see an instant tax cut of up to $1,425.
The Business Angle: For our independent contractors and 1099 workers, this applies directly to your net profit. We are giving small business startups the breathing room they need to survive their first few years.
Fiscally Responsible, Economically Explosive We know that tax cuts work when they are targeted correctly. The state budget is $9.4 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. A targeted tax cut for secondary income is highly manageable for the state, but it is life changing for a family in District 88. Furthermore, the money we save workers does not vanish. It gets spent at local diners, hardware stores, and mechanics right here in our district, creating an immediate economic boom from the bottom up.
The Bottom Line
They tax your property. They tax your groceries. They are not going to tax your second job anymore. Send me to the Iowa House, and I will fight to make sure your extra hard work pays off for you, not the government.
Plasma Growth Act
The Rural Plasma Infrastructure Partnership: Oskaloosa Pilot
The Vision The primary goal of this initiative is to create a massive net economic benefit for everyday Iowans in District 88 while building modern medical infrastructure. By utilizing a Public-Private Partnership model, the State of Iowa will facilitate the construction of a state-of-the-art plasma donation center in Oskaloosa without taking on the regulatory liability or operational costs of the volatile biological supply chain. This facility will funnel out-of-state corporate capital directly into the pockets of working Iowans and stimulate local consumer spending.
The Location Strategy: Regional Gravity While major private plasma companies typically target cities with populations over 30,000, Oskaloosa (population roughly 11,500) serves as a strategic regional hub.
The Geographic Anchor: Positioned at the crossroads of the US-63 and IA-163 corridors, an Oskaloosa center provides equitable, under-45-minute access to residents across Mahaska, Keokuk, and Jefferson counties.
The Demographic Engine: Oskaloosa is home to William Penn University. This provides a built-in, highly concentrated demographic of college students seeking supplemental income, guaranteeing the donor volume metrics required by major private operators.
The William Penn Workforce Integration This center will not just be a commercial facility; it will be a direct extension of the local academic community. William Penn University has a robust Division of Kinesiology and Life Sciences, including a 4-Year Pre-licensure BSN Nursing program and comprehensive Kinesiology degrees.
The Pipeline Mandate: To qualify for the state-subsidized lease, the private corporate operator must establish a formal internship and hiring pipeline with William Penn University.
The Outcome: The phlebotomists, floor nurses, and lab technicians operating the facility will be recruited directly from the local student body. This guarantees local job creation and keeps young, trained medical professionals in District 88 after graduation.
The Funding Model: Leveraging Federal Dollars The State of Iowa will act solely as a commercial developer, avoiding the massive public pension bloat and FDA regulatory risks of operating a state-owned blood bank.
The Capital Stack: We will leverage the federal USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program, which provides zero-interest loans and grants through local utility companies specifically for rural job creation and medical facilities.
State Matching: We will combine REDLG funds with targeted Iowa Economic Development Authority grants to construct a $5 million, fully FDA-compliant medical facility in Oskaloosa.
The 10-Year Subsidized Lease & Economic Guarantees Once construction is complete, the state will lease the facility to an established, multi-billion-dollar private plasma corporation (such as BioLife, Grifols, or CSL Plasma).
The Subsidized Rate: The facility will be leased at $200,000 annually for 20 years, which is roughly half the standard commercial market rent for a comparable medical facility. This drastic reduction in overhead makes the rural expansion highly profitable for the corporate partner.
The Taxpayer Recoupment: Over the 20-year lease, the state recoups $4 million. These funds will be strictly deposited into a dedicated District 88 rural development fund to finance future infrastructure projects.
The Payout Guarantee: The lease is conditional. The private operator must sign a legally binding agreement to maintain a high baseline donor payout rate, ensuring fair compensation for working families and students.
The Data: Projected Economic Impact for District 88
Facility Cost: $5 million (Funded via USDA REDLG and State Grants, resulting in zero direct burden on local property taxes).
Target Capacity: 600 to 1,000 donations per week.
Donor Compensation Structure: $50 for the first weekly donation and $75 for the second. This secures a $125 weekly payout for donors who meet the two donation maximum.
Direct Community Injection: Assuming an average of 800 weekly donations (which equals 400 consistent donors completing two visits), the center will inject $50,000 a week directly into the local economy. That is $2.6 million annually in new, taxable income spent at Oskaloosa grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations.
Job Creation: 15 to 20 full time private sector medical and administrative jobs.
The Bottom Line The Rural Plasma Infrastructure Partnership proves that we do not have to choose between fiscal conservatism and aggressive economic stimulus. By acting as a smart commercial developer, the state can bring a $5 million medical facility to Mahaska County, create two dozen healthcare jobs, and inject $5.2 million a year into the local economy, all while completely protecting the taxpayer from industry risk.
Bridge Off Medicaid Act
Helping Iowans Transition Off Medicaid Without Falling Through the Cracks
The Problem:
Too many Iowans face an impossible choice: take a raise or a better job — and lose their Medicaid coverage, only to find that private insurance is unaffordable. This "benefits cliff" discourages advancement, traps families in poverty, and punishes hard work.
The Bridge Off Medicaid Act is a commonsense solution that allows working-class Iowans to transition off Medicaid without sacrificing their health or financial stability.
My Plan
Eligibility
Iowa residents who exceed the Medicaid income threshold by up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Must have been enrolled in Medicaid for at least 6 of the past 12 months
Must be employed or have a job offer
Coverage Structure
Participants will pay a tiered monthly premium based on income:
Up to 138% FPL: $0/month
138.1%–155% FPL: $100/month
155.1%–175% FPL: $200/month
175.1%–200% FPL: $300/month
Coverage mirrors existing Iowa Medicaid plans, including doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health, and preventive care
Available for up to 12 months while the individual builds financial stability and/or obtains employer-sponsored insurance
Wraparound Supports
Access to free financial planning workshops
One-on-one support to explore marketplace options or employer plans
Option to reapply if they lose their job or income dips below eligibility threshold
How It Will Be Funded
Redirect existing Medicaid administrative funds already set aside for disenrollment and appeals
Use federal Medicaid waiver options to secure additional flexibility and cost-sharing
Estimated cost per enrollee: ~$3,000/year, which includes:
Reimbursement to providers for medical, mental health, and prescription services
Administrative overhead (claims processing, eligibility verification, etc.)
State’s portion of Medicaid costs not matched by federal funds
Estimated enrollment: 10,000–15,000 Iowans
Estimated annual cost: $30–45 million
Premium Revenue Generated:
If 10,000 enroll: $24 million
If 15,000 enroll: $36 million
This means the program could fund itself or require minimal additional investment, while improving long-term health and economic stability for Iowa families.
Legislative Path
As a state legislator, I will:
Introduce this program as a pilot initiative under a federal 1115 Medicaid waiver
Build bipartisan support by highlighting its fiscal responsibility and work-positive approach
Monitor results and outcomes to scale statewide after 3 years
Impact on District 88
This act will help working families, recent graduates, and career switchers throughout District 88 maintain their health care while improving their economic situation. It promotes responsibility, rewards effort, and ensures Iowans don’t get punished for trying to get ahead.