The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

OTTUMWA -- Lawmakers from across the Hawkeye state will converge in Des Moines on Monday Jan, 9 for the first legislative session of 2012.

The session already has politicians talking about education and tax reform among other issues.  State representative Curt Hanson of Fairfield has been in the house for two years.  He also has been holding town hall meetings regarding education in the state of Iowa.

“I just read in the morning paper that the governor is going to propose an increase school year, an increase school day,” Hanson said.  “We don’t know which but that’s certainly going to be on the agenda.”

Next year is a re-election year for the majority of lawmakers.  Hanson has concerns this might make bills more difficult to pass.

“I would think there will be a lot of things that will be delayed because it is an election year and nobody wants to put their particular thumbprint on a piece of legislation that might raise taxes or do anything like that.  I think that is going to be a sensitive political issue."