Brink Preparing For Legislative Session
Holly Brink (submitted photo)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Holly Brink was elected to represent Iowa House District 80 in November of 2018.
A week before that, her son was diagnosed with a serious medical condition while she finished her push to the Iowa state house.
Brink’s duties this year will include being the Vice-chair of the Economic Growth Committee for the 88th General Assembly for the Iowa Legislature.
There were tears of happiness at the Mahaska County Courthouse as the November election numbers came in. Since then, things have been a bit of a whirlwind for the Representative-Elect.
“It’s been amazing. Everybody’s been great,” says Brink of the months leading up to her swearing-in scheduled for Monday, January 13th, 2019. “There’s definitely a huge learning curve that’s going on. It’s been, and I’ve been enjoying the whole learning process.”
For Brink, her first time caucusing with her fellow Republicans took place the Friday after election day. “Walking in there for the first time, you know, that was probably the, oh wow. It probably took a month for it to sink in, I still don’t know if it has. Maybe Monday it will be a little different.”
Brink says that she’s not heading into this session with a set agenda, but does have those concerns she expressed during her campaign. “I wouldn’t have run if I didn’t have concerns about things, but to have a set agenda and say this is the bill I’m going to push, and this and this, that’s really not where I’m at. I’m going to go and learn and work and do the best I can and make sure that I represent my constituents to the best of my ability.”
Education was one of those concerns Brink carried through her campaign. “Early childhood education is a really big passion of mine because I think it ties into so many different areas,” added Brink.
Much like every other representative and senator across the state, Brink has been meeting with concerned groups and constituents about their concerns.
When it comes to education, Brink says she and her fellow Republicans know that funding for education is a top priority. “We still have to be cost conscience, but I think it’s a very important part.”
Brink said that during her conversations with constituients, the subject of mental health and preparing Iowa’s workforce for the future were area’s people expressed concern.
Brink will be sworn into office on Monday, January 14th, 2019, as the gavel drops on the 2019 session at 10 am.
