Shipley looking for another term

Tom Shipley is not new to Iowa politics.

But this year some things will be new to him as he runs for another term in the state senate.

Shipley was first elected to the Senate in 2014. He is the chair of the local government standing committee and vice-chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. He also sits on the Agriculture, Judiciary, Natural Resources and Environment, and Transportation committees. On the Republican ticket, he will face Democrat Tripp Narup Nov. 8.

After new redistricting maps with the 2020 Census, Senate District 9 includes all of Cass, Montgomery, Adams, Page, Taylor and Ringgold counties, as well as portions of western Union County.

“They are all in the same boat,” Shipley said about the mix of his established and new constituents and their interests and concerns. “The counties I did or have, I have either worked in those counties or represented them through the Iowa Cattlemen Association. The county seats have industries. Their concerns are finding people to work. It’s an ongoing issue.”

The labor issue is just one part of the economy Shipley is hearing about.

“The inflation thing is hitting them. Fuel prices are the driving point, especially in an ag area. Prices of things are getting to people. When it costs that much to grow it, we are not gaining anything.” Shipley said although grain prices are attractive, the higher input costs for the crop lower the value.

Shipley said the long term effects of inflation are also an issue.

“How are they going to weather this, right now, especially small businesses,” he said.

Shipley expects Iowa legislators to continue research on the pharmacy benefit manager issue. Pharmacy benefits managers are third-party companies that administer drug plans on behalf of health insurance. Those in support of PBM state their work saves money for consumers by negotiating with drugmakers. Others are saying fewer PBM will cause higher prescription drug prices and making business more difficult for small, rural pharmacies.

“It is a dilemma for small pharmacies in our towns,” Shipley said. “PBMs are not friendly to local pharmacies. We started to address that and that will be front and center when we get back.”

Shipley said rising costs will force pharmacies to close.

“We don’t need any more empty store fronts,” he said.

Shipley said he expects another version of private school funding proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds last session that didn’t go anywhere.

“I don’t hear much from private schools if they want them,” Shipley said about the incentive. “I’ve heard some schools are apprehensive as they think they may have to start doing things differently.”

Also in education financing, Shipley will continue his support for operational sharing money between school districts.

“I’ve been an advocate for that ever since I’ve been in. It’s due to expire in a couple of years.”

Shipley is a father and grandfather. He was born and raised in Adams County and is the fifth generation in his family to be involved in agriculture. Much of his life has been devoted to agriculture as an advocate, teacher and farmer. He currently has a small farming operation and cow herd in Nodaway. He served 18 years on the Villisca School Board and has worked as an elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher in the First Presbyterian Church.