About Senator McCoy

Matt McCoy was elected in 2010 to his fifth term in the Iowa Senate, after serving two terms in the Iowa House. He represents Senate District 31, which includes the south, southwestern, and western portions of Des Moines. 

Senator McCoy is the co-chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Capital Appropriations sub-committee and vice-chair of the Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the Commerce, Local Government, Transportation, and Ways & Means committees.

During the 2011 legislative session, Matt continued his long-standing work to balance the state budget without raising taxes. This effort left the state with a surplus of about $480 million, the biggest surplus in Iowa's history. He fought against harmful cuts to Iowa’s schools, protecting the popular statewide preschool program and staving off teacher layoffs. After several summers of severe flooding, Matt continued to work with Iowans and businesses affected by floods, rebuilding state infrastructure and ensuring long-term investment in sustainable development. He supported reforms that maintain Iowa's reputation as one of the best places in America to do business. Most importantly, Matt continued to work toward equality for all, including programs to help disadvantaged Iowans get much-needed access to health care and other resources.

Matt is a board member for One Iowa and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. He also is an ex-officio member of the Capitol Planning Commission. In 2010 Matt received several awards for his civic participation including the Easter Seals of Iowa National Legislative Leadership Award, the Tai Dam Village Award, the Distinguished Service Iowa Award from the Iowa Federation of the Blind, and was the 1st Recipient of the Central Iowa Shelter & Services Hero for the Homeless Award. He also was recognized as an Outstanding Legislator by the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau. In 2009, Matt received an award from Vision Iowa for his Legislative Leadership.

In previous sessions, Matt has fought to make Iowa's work places smoke-free, to increase support for education at all levels, to ensure quality health, vision and dental care for all children, to support property and income tax relief, and to make drunk boating illegal and to require beer keg registration.

Matt graduated from Dowling High School in 1984 and earned his B.A. degree from Briar Cliff College in 1988. Active in the Boy Scouts of America as a child, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1981 and continues to support the Boy Scouts' programs.

Matt has one son, Jack, and attends Plymouth Congregational Church.