Matt Reisetter. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Matt Reisetter, Republican candidate for Iowa House District 76

Matt Reisetter, 50, was born and raised in Cedar Falls and is a resident of Hudson. He has been married for 25 years to his wife Jen; they have four children, one boy and three girls, including Mason (22), Jillian (19), Jentry (16), and Judah (12). He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1994. After high school, Reisetter earned an undergraduate degree in general science (biology, chemistry, physics) from the University of Northern Iowa. Later he earned a graduate degree in transformational leadership from Bethel Seminary. He is co-owner of Crossroads Fireworks; owner of Hit Or Miss retail store in College Square Mall, Cedar Falls, which is set to open in November; Executive Director of Christian Crusaders Radio & Internet Ministry; Director of the 105-year-old Cedar Falls Bible Conference; and a leader for Nazareth Church’s Discipleship Team.

1. What would be your top three legislative priorities if elected?

Education, Agriculture, and Economic Growth/Affordability/Cost of Living.

2. What issues are you hearing most from voters currently?

Iowa House District 76 boundary lines. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE IOWA LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY

As I go door to door, people are frustrated that the cost of living is so high and they blame it, in large part, on the continual growth and expansion of government. I, too, along with them, am frustrated, and I intend to vote in the legislature in a manner that mitigates this problem and our collective frustration with government expanse, overreach, and inefficiency.

3. How will you address property taxes if elected?

Two things are absolutely true:

(1) Property taxes are too high.

(2) Several critical government services depend on funding from property tax revenues.

So addressing property taxes will not be a simple or easy task. I think there are some things that can be done with the 2% growth cap to make the situation less burdensome for smaller cities while also keeping property tax increases in check. I also think that, bottom line, governments at all levels need to get more disciplined about saying “no” to spending that is not necessary, and we need to become more efficient with tax dollars across the board, thus mitigating the constant pressure to tax property more and more and more.

4. What do you propose should be done to improve water quality in the state? Do you support raising the state’s sales tax to fund Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund? Please explain.

I do not support raising the sales tax to fund that, but I am obviously for improving water quality in Iowa where improvements are needed — and I assume we all agree on this. Rather than raise taxes, we’ll have to trim spending somewhere else, or grow the economy, and therefore tax revenues as a bi-product of growth, in order to acquire the funds needed to address water quality. I believe we can BOTH not raise the state sales tax AND have clean water, and I will work toward that end.

5. Rising cancer rates are a concern for many Iowans. What action should the legislature take to lower the rate?

First of all, we need to know, conclusively and scientifically, what are the reasons for these increased cancer rates before government just starts trying to “fix stuff” — especially when we don’t know exactly what we’re fixing. Once we have more facts, which will help us cut through this or that narrative, we’ll put smart people together and unleash innovative and creative solutions to the problems and causes that are discovered.

6. With physicians leaving the state, medical facilities either closing or reducing services and rural EMS often struggling to recruit/retain volunteers, what will you do to repair the healthcare system in Iowa?

Repairing the health care system in Iowa is such an enormous and multi faceted issue that impacts countless people and institutions and businesses and organizations — and depends in large part on factors outside of the state’s control. I can’t possibly begin to give a succinct answer to that question in this format. But I’ll listen to the experts and weigh the information I’m given with my focus on two main outcomes: (1) Iowa being a place where healthcare is excellent and accessible, (2) without it being plagued by ever-higher costs and ever-thicker red tape.

7. Public school districts have said the amount of money received from the state each year needs to be increased. Do you agree with that stance? Please explain. How much money do you think districts should receive each year?

Money gets more of the focus in the education discussion than I think it should. Obviously it costs money to run schools, and public schools need to be reasonably funded. But more important than the money public schools receive, to me, is the idea that districts and schools and teachers need to be freed up to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of the kids they serve. Public education in America was largely influenced by the Industrial Revolution … a hundred years ago or so. But we’ve been learning more and more since then that kids aren’t cars or tractors. A one or two or three sizes fits all approach isn’t as effective as individualized learning that caters to each unique kid. So we need to keep giving educators more freedoms to creatively educate many different kids in many different ways.

8. As agriculture becomes increasingly concentrated and consolidated, what should Iowa be doing to prioritize opportunities for independent and small family farms, as well as beginning farmers who don’t have inherited land or other significant assets? Are the current policies sufficient, and if not, what specific changes would you support?

One very specific thing I’d like to see more of is farmers being able to sell their products direct to consumers without so much red tape. Covid opened my eyes to how fragile our food supply system is and it made me want to raise and source my family’s food from closer to home with less reliance on unknown outsiders that are integral to our “food chain”. As a practical application, for example, if I want to raise a steer and butcher it and sell beef to a neighbor — or if I want to buy from a neighbor who is doing the same, without totally gutting necessary food safety considerations, I’d like that transaction to be easier and less encumbered by government. Giving farmers easier access to local markets would be great for small and independent family farms.

9. In 2025, Iowa removed gender identity as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act (state code). Do you support that change? Please explain.

Yes. “Gender” itself should be and is a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights code. But I don’t believe “gender identity” rises to that level.

10. Why should voters choose you in the race for Iowa House District 76?

I’m a conservative but independent thinker, who treats people respectfully, whether they support or agree with me. I’ve got the courage to say “no” and to take heat for doing the right thing, even if it’s unpopular. I’m guided by faith, I’m committed to my family, and I’ll fight for freedom. As I’ve talked to and gotten to know people throughout the district, I’ve learned that this is the type of person they want representing them. So toward that end, I’m thankful to everyone willing to consider giving me their vote.