OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The Iowa General Assembly is, “on call,” that is because leadership from both the house and senate still have not agreed to terms on a budget; but that is not stopping lawmakers from going out and talking with their constituents about what is going on in Des Moines, and why the session has not ended yet.

State Representative Mary Gaskill spoke with KTVO Friday morning about several items, including some of the big bills that are making their way through the legislature.

A former county auditor, Gaskill is worried about the proposed voter i.d. bill.

“I believe that the voter i.d. law will eliminate a lot of voters. Those voters who cannot get i.d.’s and that is usually the poor and the disadvantaged. I believe we should not do that. We need to make it as easy as possible for out citizens to be voters,” said Gaskill.

Another big ticket item working it’s way through the general assembly is the mental health reform bill.  Many county supervisors are against the bill, being that it would take away local control and turn Iowa’s mental health system into a regional platform.

Gaskill told KTVO that she hopes the bill comes back to conference committee, so she can try to allow more time for the state and counties to implement the changes.

“The mental health went through the senate, and it just went through the house, and now it is sent back to the senate, so if they don’t agree with the changes in the house, it will go to conference committee. I hope it does, because I hope to have influence on that, extending some of the implementations, such as the levy’s and the regionalization for a year. I think that will help everybody in the senate and counties adjust,” said Gaskill.

Gaskill knows that it is an election year, and she will once again be running for office. However, this election cycle will be somewhat different, being that she will be running for House District 81, which includes the cities of Ottumwa, Eldon and Agency.

Below is a statement from Mary Gaskill about her time and office and about the upcoming election.

First, I want to thank the people of Wapello County for their years of support. It has been my privilege to serve them first as County Auditor and now as State Representative.

I am seeking another term in the Iowa House of Representatives. Due to redistricting and renumbering, we now live in House District 81, which includes the cities of Ottumwa, Eldon and Agency. It also includes seven townships and the portion of Center Township which is east and south of Ottumwa.

I did not make the decision to seek another term in office lightly. We have been through some tough times here in Wapello County and in Iowa. We are finally seeing some improvement, in part due to changes in the national economy and in part due to decisions I supported in the legislature to promote job growth and worker training. I want to continue those efforts.

I am pleased to see the progress that Job Corps is making here. I will continue to work with them to help their students fine jobs.

A key element in economic growth is a well-educated workforce. We must continue to fund our schools at all levels to make sure that our children and grandchildren have the best possible chance at making a better future. This is the American Dream, and we cannot let it die.

This is one reason that I supported and fought to keep voluntary pre-school education. We know that this early start will help children thrive in later school years. Not only must our K-12 schools be the best in the world, but we must also make sure that our community colleges and state universities are centers of excellence and affordable to all Iowans. Today, when an education is more important than ever, Iowa must have an educated and well trained workforce to attract and keep the well-paying jobs of the future.

As a former county official, I have worked in the legislature to improve local government services. I am especially proud of the work I did to find funding so that we could implement standardization of voting equipment across the state - and made sure that a verifiable paper trail exists to assure voters that their votes will be counted.

Wapello County has been my home - the place where Jim and I raised our children. It is where Jim served our state as a member of the Iowa State Patrol.

I am honored and humbled by the support I have received from the people of this county. I look forward to serving them for many years to come. And, as always, I encourage anyone who has thoughts, comments or concerns to contact me.

Thank you again and remember to vote on June 5th.

Mary Gaskill