David Sieck political profile

Answered by David Sieck

Education: I graduated from Glenwood Community High School and have attended Iowa State University and Iowa Western Community College. I have an Iowa Real Estate Saleperson’s License.

Work Experience: I am a fourth generation Mills County Farmer and the agriculture stakeholder on the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC) appointed by the Secretary of the Army. I sit on the Mills County Economic Development Committee serving on the 1-29/HWY 34 Corridor Committee. I am the founding member of Responsible River Management.

In the past, I served as:

— President of the Iowa Corn Growers’ Association (ICGA);

— Founding board member for the Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE);

— Founding board member and Treasurer for Western Iowa Energy (WIE);

—Board member Iowa Renewable Fuel Association.

Why should voters support you Feb. 10?

Over the past twenty years I have worked on local, county, state and national issues that affect Southwest Iowa. I have spent a great amount of time in Des Moines and Washington D.C. working to build coalitions to stop negative legislation and create positive changes to help area businesses and farm operations. I am excited for an opportunity to serve the people of southwest Iowa and will be accessible.

Transportation needs are evident in southwest Iowa and throughout the state. How would you want the state to address those needs, specifically regarding funding?

This is a huge issue locally and something needs to be done. I believe an increase in the gas tax has the most support at this time. If that occurs, I want to make sure that rural county road and bridges get a greater share of the funding. They currently are in the greatest need of repair. I would be open to looking at other alternative ways to fund our infrastructure needs but it has to be stable, predictable, and protected.

The viability of small, rural schools is another topic of interest to voters in District 23. What ideas do you have to help local schools thrive in the 21st century?

This topic is emotionally charged and locally important. Strong economic growth and more jobs would solve the problem in the long run, but this doesn’t address today’s issues. Some ideas that need a strong look are:

—Shared administrative costs;

—Student transportation cost differences between city and rural districts;

— Transportation route efficiencies;

—Technology advancement and strategies to change how classes are taught;

—Length of day and year.

How should the legislature help spur economic growth in southwest Iowa?

I would work to grow jobs in business and farming operations big and small. Not by creating more government regulation but by streamlining regulation to make sure new and existing business want to be here in southwest Iowa. I would make sure the work force has access to the education and training that new and existing businesses need today. Also, ensure access to high speed broadband for towns and rural areas to help foster new and existing business growth.

What other ideas will you bring to Des Moines if elected to the House of Representatives?

I would work hard to find ways to utilize Southwest Iowa’s well-educated, hard-working workforce, rich land and great transportation corridor (i.e.: I-29, Railways, State Highways 34, 59, 71, and 2, Missouri River including its marine highway destination) to grow jobs and a strong economy.