The 2012 legislative year began Jan. 9 with all the usual pomp & circumstance. It is amazing to think this is the 12th time I have gaveled in at this glorious, historical building gifted to us by our fore fathers! Because of the results of the redistricting map, this will be my final ...
Greetings from the CapitolThe 2012 Legislative Session has begun. This week we heard Governor Branstad deliver his Condition of the State address. We also heard from Chief Justice Cady on the condition of the Judiciary. Next week we will hear from General Orr on the Condition of the Iowa ...
TOLEDO CHRONICLE- “Government can’t get in the way of creating jobs,” Iowa House Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) told a Tama County Republican gathering last Tuesday night. While admitting some efforts by the GOP-controlled House to foster job creation did not succeed, he vowed to ...
The 2011 Legislative Session is officially over and even though it was long and sometimes contentious there was actually positive legislation that was passed and signed by Governor Branstad. Here are some of the highlights that have just gone into effect and will interest you. 478 - ...
I have been waiting for the end of session to do a newsletter. Little did I know it would be the last day of June. We left here for a break the first week in May and came back for a day every couple of weeks with not much progress. The clock continued to tick down till this week - the last ...
State Senator Steve Sodders will host a public meeting on the state budget this Friday, June 3, from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. in Tama in the public lounge of the Tama Civic Center. Senator Sodders will outline the differences on education and job creation that are blocking agreement on next ...
I recently had the opportunity to give the commencement address at Indian Hills Community College. In my speech, I highlighted the coming retirement of Senate President Jack Kibbie. Senator Kibbie is the reason Iowa has community colleges that are the envy of the nation. In 1965, he authored ...
Welcome from under the Golden Dome! We had a lot of discussions at the Capitol this week. One thing is clear; there is no agreement on closing down this session. Several big issues exist: a two-year budget, mental health reform, and a commercial property tax reduction. The Governor is ...
During my eleven years serving as your Representative I have learned a lot about being effective in Des Moines and advancing certain agendas for the good of Iowans. When ever an agenda is considered in addition to determining if it is good policy, a legislator must consider two key things when ...
We took some significant votes this week that will change the face of Iowa. Today I voted in support of the new redistricting map. The Legislative Services Agency used the latest Census numbers to redraw congressional, state senate and state house districts. It was a fascinating process to be ...