Marilyn Mentzer
Occupation: In-Active Real Estate Broker/Real Estate Educator
Email: m.mentzerforiowa@gmail.com
Office Seeking: Iowa House District 15
Coming from a long-standing union household and a working-class background in Missouri Valley, Iowa, I deeply understand the economic challenges facing families in District-15 today. Through my background in agriculture, education, and real estate, as well as my experience balancing work, education, and family as a wife, mother, and grandmother, I am committed to advocating for legislative changes that directly benefit all Iowans.
Water Quality & Public Health: Iowa ranks first overall for new cancer diagnoses. Nitrates and other toxins are responsible for this health crisis. It expands past farming, our chemical use has increased drastically since WWII, onto golf courses, athletic fields, and even in our own lawns. We need to revisit old agriculture practices in conjunction with new technology to help improve our environment and decrease cancer rates across our State. Property Tax Reform: The average property tax growth rate in Iowa is 39.5%, with Pottawattamie County at 28.9%, Harrison County at 48.8%. Property owners should not be taxed on unrealized gains or penalty for owning their homes. Reform is urgently needed to keep housing affordable. Budgets HAVE GOT TO BE CUT to accomplish this goal and keep families, seniors, et., in our homes. |
What should be done to strengthen business climate, grow the workforce, and encourage economic and population growth?
Increasing Skilled Labor: Joining the skilled trades in America offers immediate "earn-while-you-learn" paid incentives. Many of these individuals work full-time while supporting families and attending school at night.
To ensure the continued growth of our economy, we must support these workers and expand these programs. Our nation was built on skilled labor, and we need to continue investing in these industries. Specifically, offering incentives to individuals while they complete their apprenticeships would provide essential support and encourage further participation.
One of my top legislative priorities is reforming property tax assessments, valuations, and overall processes. Currently, several counties face challenges due to assessors and oversight officials who lack sufficient background in property assessment. While there are exceptions—such as Pottawattamie County, which has three appraisers on staff—a qualification gap remains across much of the state. To ensure consistent expertise, I encourage the State to consider consolidating the services of assessors, treasurers, and auditors where applicable. The current process involves overlapping responsibilities among these offices, resulting in unnecessary costs for taxpayers. Leveraging technology to streamline these operations will reduce administrative budgets and ultimately help lower property taxes. Additionally, open enrollment has created unprecedented competition within public school systems regarding athletic complexes, educational services, and staffing. Public schools must now compete not only with private institutions but also with neighboring public districts. To address these growing financial demands, school districts must implement stricter budgets and pursue consolidation where necessary. |
What would you like voters to know about you, beyond your positions on the issues?
My decision to run for office was not something I had anticipated, but it is a calling I felt compelled to answer. My inspiration comes from my direct experience working on key issues like tax assessments and water quality, as well as reviewing current Iowa Code to identify where real improvements can be made.
Additionally, my decision was driven by the persistent lack of response from government officials and political parties to the concerns of private citizens.
As your State Representative for District 15, I commit to being responsive to your needs and hosting regular town halls throughout the year. District 15 has been home, and I am fully dedicated to making our community a better place for everyone.