Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour).

We continued with a heavy debate schedule this week as we approach the second funnel date where our House bills must be passed to the Senate.

On Wednesday of this week, the Environmental Protection Committee that I chair and the Health and Human Services committee held a joint meeting so that we could hear a report from the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa. This was an interim report on their research into the drivers of cancer in Iowa. This research project was funded last year by the legislature so that we could gain science-based insight into this horrible disease and gain an understanding of why Iowa’s cancer rates are higher than the national average. There was a wealth of data presented that is too detailed to relate in this newsletter, but there were a few takeaways from this presentation. First, the data shows that cancer amongst citizens under age 20 is no different than the national average. Therefore the study is focusing on cancers for those age 20 and over. The presentation included data on the five cancers that are driving Iowa’s cancer rates. Those are: breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, and melanoma. The data shows that cancer mortality rates continue to drop both nationally and in Iowa. Another surprising point was that the 2013 time-frame is when Iowa’s cancer rates began to grow significantly above the national average. The study has not yet identified why that occurred. Another point was that Melanoma is one of the forms of cancer that Iowa exceeds the national average the most. There are many factors that the researchers are studying in order to gain further insight into Iowa’s cancer rates. Based on the significance of lung cancer from smoking being the leading factor in Iowa’s cancer rates, the researchers strongly recommended that Iowa increase our tobacco taxes in order to drive down the prevalence of smoking. The governor has proposed a 65-cent per pack cigarette tax increase. The House will consider that proposal later in the session.

Another leading cause of cancer that has been identified is radon. Radon is a gas that can seep up from the ground and accumulate in our homes, causing lung cancer. Due to Iowa’s geology, we are a hot spot for Radon. Radon exposure is regarded as the most likely cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. In response to this cancer issue, the House passed legislation on Thursday to require all new single and two-family residence construction to include a passive Radon mitigation system. I would encourage everyone to purchase an inexpensive Radon test kit and test your own homes for this gas. If the Radon gas is present, a Radon mitigation system can be added to existing homes for a moderate cost.

House File 2624 was passed this week, a bill that requires DNA collection when a person is arrested for a felony or aggravated misdemeanor. If the person is acquitted or charges are dropped, then the DNA shall be removed from the database. Other states that have implemented this program have been able to solve thousands of crimes, helping to create greater public safety.

Over the past two weeks, the House has passed well over 100 bills. This is but a small sample of the work we are doing on behalf of the people of Iowa.

As always, I look forward to seeing you at the Capitol or in the district.

Rep. Dean Fisher’s district covers all of Poweshiek County and most of Tama County excluding the northeast corner.