Thirty-eight percent of the Iowa Legislators who were sworn in this morning are rookies, including Swati Dandekar of Marion. Dandekar was born in India, but has lived in Iowa for 30 years. She says she’s a little anxious as she feels she has to do what is right for her district and Iowa.House Speaker Christopher Rants of Sioux City says the new legislators are ready to contribute. He says it will be a very exciting time as this is the largest incoming freshman class since modern reapportionment. Senate President Mary Kramer of West Des Moines says new legislators bring new perspectives on Iowa’s problems. She says the newcomers bring a lack of knowledge of what they’ve done in the past, so they won’t say “we’ve tried that before and it won’t work.” Kramer says they also will ask why are we doing this. She says both questions will be helpful. Senate Republican Stewart Iverson of Dows says new legislators will have to learn quickly, but seem prepared to make major changes to boost Iowa’s economy.There are 41 new house members and 17 new senators.
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