Helmet law splits hopefuls

OFF THE WIRE
Local statehouse candidates attend forum..
Two local Democratic statehouse candidates said Monday they’d support a law requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets while their Republican opponents said they’d likely vote against it.
All four candidates from Johnson County’s two contested statehouse races spoke Monday at a forum in Coralville. Among more than 10 issues addressed by the candidates was a question about whether motorcycle riders should be required to wear helmets.
That issue hits close to home for some in Iowa City. After West High student Caroline Found died in a moped crash in August 2011, a group of her classmates lobbied the Legislature to pass a law requiring minors to wear helmets on mopeds. The Iowa Senate transportation committee discussed the idea, but the bill didn’t see a vote in either chamber of the Legislature.
The student lobbyists said such a law would save money because it would cut down on medical expenses. The two Democrats at Monday’s event agreed.
“I have seen first-hand the consequences of people who have head injuries,” said Sally Stutsman, a Democrat from rural Riverside who currently sits on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors.
Dick Schwab, a Democrat from Solon, said he’s ridden a motorcycle for 44 years.
“And in those 44 years, I’ve always worn a helmet, whether it’s been the law or not. I wouldn’t require just youth, I’d require everyone to wear a helmet. ... It won’t make some of my motorcycle friends happy, but I don’t care,” Schwab said.
Stutsman’s opponent, North Liberty Republican Steve Sherman, said he’d likely vote against such a bill.
“I do have a general aversion to government controlling every aspect of how we live,” he said.
Sherman and Stutsman are competing for the District 77 seat, which includes much of the west side of Johnson County outside Iowa City, including North Liberty and Tiffin.
Schwab’s opponent, Wilton Republican Bobby Kaufmann, said he’s “open” to a law requiring helmets for kids, but not for those 18 and older.
“I’m not a motorcycle rider myself, but if I were, I’d wear a helmet every single time. ... But I’m not a fan of the government consistently interceding on every aspect of our lives as far as adults are concerned,” he said.
Schwab and Kaufmann are competing for the District 73 seat, which includes all of Cedar County, a sliver of Muscatine County, in addition to Solon and much of the east side of rural Johnson County.
Neither district has an incumbent running. Johnson County’s other statehouse races have Democratic incumbents who are running unopposed.
Reach Adam B Sullivan at asullivan@press-citizen.com or 887-5412.