State Rep. Heather Matson

30 DAYS. Let’s go. 🔥🗳️

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31 days until Election Day.
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I spent a lot of time considering this vote today. There were a lot of factors; let me tell you why, in the end, I voted no.

As many of you know, I previously served on the Iowa Economic Development Authority board and care deeply about expanding economic development opportunties in every corner of Iowa. Two years ago, I proudly voted to establish the Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program because IEDA needed to have robust incentive options in place to negotiate with major industries. It took two years to pass that bill. And now, in a matter of days since the steel plant announcement, and with virtually no public input, we were asked to amend the program. And while *technically* the bill passed today is not specifically for the steel plant, everyone knows (and was clearly stated on the floor), that was the point.

While the bill does have some strong clawback provisions and protections (many already in MEGA), there was a new section added on "transferability" that I couldn't support. Essentially, a company could transfer their tax credits to other qualifying entitites (not the worst thing in itself). If the orginal company could no longer meet their obiligations, Iowa would be able to work to get that money back. BUT with the NEW language, "a qualifying transferee of a tax credit certificate is not subject to the liability, revocation, and repayment imposed." That would mean that Iowa taxpayers could be on the hook for those dollars. And regardless of what happens with this steel plant, I couldn't support these changes to our tax code which would still be in place even if the project falls apart.

To be clear, I want to see a great industry come to SE Iowa. I want them to be good, highpaying, labor jobs. It is my hope that as IEDA continues to negotiate with Mesabi Metallics, they will insist upon a project labor agreement that values Iowa workers (let's make them union - not currently required) and ensure the strongest possible protections for Iowa workers and taxpayers.

As was said on the floor today, this is not a ribbon-cutting. While President Trump promised this plant with very convenient political timing, there are about a million things that still need to happen to bring this project to fruition. I will be paying attention to see what comes next.

In the end, the bill passed with bipartisan opposition and support in the House. It barely passed the Senate.

Thanks to everyone who reached out to share their thoughts on the bill and the special session!

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IOWA HOUSE REPUBLICANS REFUSE DEMOCRATIC PROPOSAL TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY DURING SPECIAL SESSION

Des Moines, Iowa — Today, Iowa House Democrats proposed expanding the scope of Friday’s special legislative session to help address rising costs for Iowa families. House Republicans refused to consider the proposal.

“Across the state, we are hearing from Iowans about rising costs and economic uncertainty,” said State Rep Adam Zabner of Iowa City. “Gas and diesel are through the roof, and Iowans want action. It is a failure for the Republican trifecta to leave Des Moines yet again without doing anything to lower costs for the Iowans who are paying more for groceries, gas, housing, and healthcare.”

House Democrats’ proposal would have broadened the special session to include measures focused on lowering everyday costs, creating good-paying jobs and giving working families more opportunities to get ahead.

“Iowans deserve a legislature that’s focused on lowering costs,” added Zabner. “We have the opportunity to give Iowa families real relief right now.”

A special session, called for Friday, October 2, 2026, is currently focused on changes to Iowa’s Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program related to a proposed multi-billion-dollar steel manufacturing project.

Context and nuance for what is being debated today in the special legislative session. 👇

After many, many days of knocking in the rain, tonight's weather was a beautiful reprieve! Of course, rain or shine, the conversations have been great! 😍 Also, how gorgeous was the sunset when I got home???

I'm always happy to visit Ankeny's own Casey's for a great conversation on affordable childcare, housing, food insecurity, and consistency in SNAP rules for grocers that also support the needs of Iowans in every corner of our state. It was also great to get another tour of their decades old, on-site childcare center for employees. I look forward to continuing to work together in the State Senate!

The more you know! 👇👇

Field Day Archive: Nitrogen Management in the Face of Super El Niño — Iowa Learning Farms September 23, 2026

ICYMI: Iowa is one of 15 states expected to face the most significant cuts. 👇🏼

Experts say "the new limits are likely to increase the gap between Medicaid payments and the cost of caring for Medicaid patients. As a result, providers are likely to limit the number of Medicaid patients they see. Another possibility, she suggests, is that providers will try to offset the losses by negotiating higher prices with commercial insurers, raising costs for non-Medicaid patients."

What I hear on the doors is neighbor after neighbor worried about the rising cost of health care, not to mention being worried about their friends in smaller, rural communities with even fewer choices of providers.

Iowans deserve better.

Doctors and hospitals likely to see lower Medicaid payments in three dozen states • Iowa Capital Dispatch Three dozen states will likely have to reduce their annual Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals by a total of more than $50 billion.