As Old Man Winter reminded us that we are in the heart of winter, we continued to work here at the Capitol. Many groups visit us with breakfasts and evening receptions, so they have a better chance to discuss their specific concerns. Several of these events were cancelled this week due to the ...
What a difference a year makes….I can’t tell you how proud I am of the people of Iowa, especially the people of Grundy and Tama Counties! The level of participation by “the people” in impacting our government reached a level unseen by me in my 13 years as an Iowa legislator. In comes ...
Greetings from the Statehouse as another week goes by! Minutes ago I returned from the House of Representatives where Governor Branstad presented the keynote on his budget proposal. Getting our budget under control and making Iowa more responsible will go a long way towards new business ...
TOLEDO CHRONICLE - At the end of the first week of session, I was told that a DHS facility in my district, the Iowa State Juvenile Home, was going to experience severe cuts and program elimination. I met with Director Krogmeier to discuss the actual proposal. Here’s what he provided: Last ...
This legislative session, we are staying focused on creating good jobs and improving the economy. We won’t accomplish those goals by shutting down credit to small businesses, closing preschools or letting tobacco companies target our young people. Unfortunately, that’s all included in ...
The fall of the gavel began the 2011 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 10. The first day, after all swearing-in and speeches, we picked our seats for the next two years. I surprised everyone, including my sister / secretary by moving from # 2 on the center aisle to seat # 25 on the side ...
Greetings from Des Moines. It seems like just yesterday I returned home to plant the 2010 crop. And now, here we are, 2011. This is the third session for me and our number one priority remains the same: THE BUDGET. Reining in State spending while prioritizing the needs of our citizens and ...
First week of session marked by old traditions, renewed commitment Four days down, 106 to go. This first week was full of the traditions, seeing old friends and making new ones. I have to admit, I think I am becoming a sucker for traditions—the little things, like how we establish rules and ...
The most important thing the Legislature can do in the upcoming 2011 session is to invest in Iowans and strengthen Iowa’s economy. We will continue efforts that are working, such as building Iowa’s renewable energy economy. And we’ll fix what needs fixing, like shifting incentives to ...
TAMA NEWS-HERALD - (DES MOINES)—Speaker-elect Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) has appointed Rep. Lance Horbach (R-Tama) as Chairman of the House Labor committee and Rep. Betty DeBoef (R-What Cheer) to the House Environmental Protection, Agriculture, Economic Growth/Rebuild Iowa and Ways and ...