Two weeks have passed in the 2021 Iowa Legislative Session, and while the first week is largely ceremonial in nature, the past four days have been geared toward policy.

District 79 Representative Dustin Hite is the new chair of the House Education Committee, and while a significant bill introduced by Governor Kim Reynolds as it relates to in-person education is on his agenda, he’s also been working on getting other legislation started.

One of note has to do with redlining and loans in Iowa; a federal policy issued in 1934 that advised financial institutions to not make loans in certain areas, which when implemented, largely excluded inner-cities and contributed to further segregation of neighborhoods.

Hite intends to pass a tax incentive that would help fight back against years of injustice, though he admits the bill would be less likely impact his district.

Stay tuned to 92.1 KRLS for updates from the Legislative Session.