In spite of the best revenue estimates of state budget experts, Iowa is being hit harder than expected by the national recession. Many in our communities have lost their jobs. Families are struggling to make ends meet. Everybody is cutting back — and that goes for state government, too. ...
How can we help all Iowa kids grow into healthy, successful adults? Part of the answer is improving early care, health and education-areas where Iowa has made significant progress in recent years.Investing in kids right from the start pays off. According to research, 85 percent of brain growth ...
Despite the deepening national recession, Iowa continues to be nationally recognized for our strong fiscal management. One reason is that state legislators have worked together to grow our economy, create good jobs and manage the state budget.Standard and Poor's recently gave Iowa its highest ...
"What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving." Abraham LincolnWhat an admirable phrase for describing "charity", the act of not receiving so others of lesser means may receive. The problem is that Abraham Lincoln's statement references the ...
"Tumultuous," "endless," "frenzied," "frustrating," "exasperating," "trying"-all words that describe this legislative session.Today, however, another word comes to mind: pride. I don't mean pride in a self-congratulatory or boastful manner. I am proud of the courageous efforts of a few ...
Today we tried to call up the Marriage Amendment (defining marriage as one man and one woman) and it was a show down between God's law and Iowa's Law.Iowa's law won!44 YES Votes - 42 Republicans, 2 Democrats54 NO Votes - 0 Republicans, 54 Democrats2 Absent - 2 Republicans (one in Iraq one ...
For my newsletter this week, I am offering the text of a speech I gave on the House floor last week."I stand today to share my conviction that the situation before us is so grave it takes my breath away. Our 1st Amendment rights passed in 1791 are at stake. Our state motto "Our liberties we ...
Just a few days more and the 2009 Legislative Session will be history, of course, unless there would be a special session called.Leadership in the Senate has stated that we will not debate whether or not to let the people of Iowa vote on the marriage issue. I have stated and will re-iterate ...
Though the month of April may be known for it's warm spring rain showers and Easter season, in Iowa it also means that the legislative session will start concluding soon. For most Iowans, this should come both as a disappointment and a relief. It is disappointing because there are over 80,000 ...
Last year we approved, and the Governor signed, legislation making the first Monday in April the day we officially recognize Iowans who, in the last year, have decided to permanently protect natural areas by donating land for Iowa's parks, open spaces, recreation areas and the enduring ...