Intersections (no lunch) | Insights into the 2025 Legislative Session

Insights into the 2025 Legislative Session

Presenters:
Senator Art Staed (D – Cedar Rapids)
Rep. Aime Wichtendahl (D – Hiawatha)

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MAY 2, 2024  |  11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids
new event space (see below)
** in-person event **

It’s been a no good, very bad legislative session in 2025. So many bad, harmful ideas – some of which made it all the way to the Governor’s desk.

What made it all the way through? What got hung up by partisan politics or other reasons? What does Iowa’s future hold? And what is it like to be part of the legislature in these times?

Join us for the last Intersections luncheon of the season along with Senator Art Staed and Rep. Aime Wichtendahl as they share their expertise and insight from the Golden Dome.

Please note: The church is undergoing renovations for the next few months, during which time we will meet in the Gathering Space. Enter the Second Avenue doors, go up the stairs or take the elevator to the second floor. Once there, take a left and you will arrive at the Gathering Space. For those who know the building, this is across from the sanctuary.

You may make your reservation to attend in-person (no lunch) by clicking on the "Register Now" button. There is no cost for this option, but we do need your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating. 

If you have any issues registering, please email info@interfaithallianceiowa.org or call 515.279.8715.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS | ART STAED was elected to his first term in the Iowa Senate in 2024 after serving in the Iowa House for 14 years. He represents Senate District 40, which includes Northwest & Northeast Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Robins.

Art Staed hails from Joplin, Missouri, and is one of 11 kids. He attended Rockhurst University in Kansas city, after which he obtained two graduate degrees: one in Secondary Education (University of Missouri at Kansas City) and Secondary Administration (East Central University of Oklahoma). Early in his career, Art taught several disciplines including math, science, and social studies to students throughout Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Most recently, Art spent 15 years as Social Studies Facilitator and social studies teacher in Cedar Rapids Community Schools. In addition to teaching courses at Kirkwood Community College and developing training in tandem with Iowa Workforce Development, Art and his wife Susan owned and managed Coffee Talk Café, where he hosted “Coffee Talk: Corridor Conversations,” a video series of talks with local community leaders about issues affecting the Cedar Rapids community.

He resides in Cedar Rapids with his wife, Susan. They have four children and five grandchildren.

AIME WICHTENDAHL was elected to her first term in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2024. Prior to that, she served as a member of the Hiawatha City Council since 2016, and was the first openly transwoman to be elected to government in the state of Iowa.

Aime grew up in Newhall, Iowa, and was part of the last graduating class at La Salle High School in 1998. She graduated from Mount Mercy University in 2005 with a BA in Journalism and Political Science. Having a passion for politics since childhood, Aime first became involved in politics in 2008 – being a state delegate for Barack Obama. In 2015, she ran for the Hiawatha City Council on a platform of supporting small businesses. Working closely with Mayor Bennett and multiple councils, Aime helped to increase small business development throughout Hiawatha, reduce the property tax levy from $15.41 to $13.78 (in 2024), implement green energy solutions, raise the minimum wage in Linn County, and build new multi- family housing.

Outside of politics, Aime is a proud parent of her son, Steven. She is a member of the American Federation of Musicians local 137 and author of one novel, The Butterfly and the Flame. Aime has contributed to the Real Mainstream as a journalist and columnist.

Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. It's an opportunity to learn, to participate in civil dialogue, and to discuss issues at the crossroads of religion and politics.