Kamal Hammouda, Iowa House District 76

The Gazette sent a questionnaire to Iowa Legislature candidates representing Linn, Johnson and surrounding counties. The responses are unedited, unless to correct spelling or punctuation. 

To see other candidates' responses, visit our Election 2020 Candidates page. 

Kamal Hammouda faces Democrat Sarah Smith and Republican Rep. David Maxwell. Click here to read Smith's responses. Maxwell did not respond to the questionnaire.

What are the three biggest issues facing the state? How would you address them?

Insuring that most able bodied, willing Iowan are gainfully employed. Providing basic affordable health care to Iowans especially mental health and protecting our land and water resources. By attempting to bridge the gap between the 2 parties and finding common ground solutions for I believe that is what the citizens send us to the capital want us to do. I am not pretending to have a magic bullet, just a reasonable mind.

What, if anything, needs to change about the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic?

Be transparent and use scientific matrices rather than political ones.

What do you consider as budget priorities? What would you do to ensure these see funding? Which areas would you target funding reductions?

Education, child care, health care. Eliminating tax incentives to most businesses.

What, if any, changes would you make to the way the state funds its K-12 education system?

Ask the experts they would know better than me and work toward a consensus.

What should the state do to further address water quality issues? What, if anything, should the state do to increase funding for water quality improvements?

Start by enacting the results of the tax referendum that passed many years ago to fund the work. Work with farmers to implement best practices.

What should the state do to address the availability of safe and affordable child care across Iowa?

Provide financial incentives to employers who are willing have it available to their employees as well those individual that want to start a child care service.

What is your response to recent protests calling for racial justice? What changes to law enforcement policy or budgeting do you support? 

It is imperative for us to have racial justice to be able to move forward as a community. Employ social worker and mental health professionals as part of safety infrastructure in municipalities. Train officer to deescalate.

Will you support a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for felons?

Yes

Will you approve the governor's IWILL tax relief/mental health plan?

Undecided

Will you seek voter approval of a constitutional amendment on abortion (SJR2001/HJR2004)?

No 

Will you support a ban hand-held electronic devices while driving (SF2248/HF2375)?

Yes

Will you support allowing financial compensation for college athletes (SF2330/HF2282)?

Yes

Will you support making daylight saving time permanent (SF2077/HF2059)?

Undecided

Will you support allowing end-of-life options for patients with terminal conditions (SF2156/HF2302)?

No 

Will you support closing loopholes to protect mobile home occupants/tenants (HF2351/SF2238)?

Yes

Will you support increasing the state minimum hourly wage from $7.25?

Yes. $10 now and adjust it with inflation.

Will you support raising the state tobacco tax by $1 to $2.36 per pack?

Yes

Will you support modifying or repealing Iowa's bottle bill law?

Undecided

Will you support requiring helmets for minors operating motorcycles/motorized bikes?

Yes 

Will you support eliminating criminal penalties for possessing marijuana?

Yes 

Will you support establishing a moratorium on constructing large-scale animal feeding facilities?

Yes

Will you support creating an 'extreme risk' or 'red flag' firearms protective order?

Yes