Following the loss of State Representative Peter Cownie (R-West Des Moines) in Iowa House District 42, State Representative Lee Hein (R-Monticello) has been named chairman for the Iowa House Ways and Means Committee for the 88th Iowa General Assembly by Speaker Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake).
First elected in 2010, Hein will serve a fifth term representing Iowa House District 96. He was born and raised in Monticello and now lives in rural Monticello where he is the third generation to work his family’s farm with his wife Jacky. They have two adult children.
He has chaired the Iowa House Agriculture Committee since 2015 and served on the Judiciary, State Government, and Ways and Means Committee, as well as, served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee last session.
He previously served as Chairman of the Iowa House Environmental Protection Committee from 2013-2015 and as an Assistant Majority Leader from 2014-2015.
“It is an honor to be chosen by Speaker Upmeyer to lead the Ways and Means Committee,” said Rep. Hein. “As a lifelong farmer, I understand the importance of certainty and simplification of the tax code. I will continue to protect hard-working taxpayers while leaving more money in the pockets of Iowa families and small business owners. I am excited for the opportunity to lead this important committee.”
“Rep. Hein is a proven leader, and I am confident that he will excel in this new role,” Upmeyer said. “Rep. Hein has always made hard-working taxpayers a priority and worked to reduce the tax burden on Iowa families. I know that he will continue to look for opportunities to craft sound tax policy and move Iowa forward.”