At the ripe old age of 26, I returned to Osceola, Iowa to be the Director of the Clarke County Office of the Iowa Department of Human Services. My office was down the hall from the offices of the treasurer, auditor, and recorder. After I left that position, Governor Kim Reynolds became Clarke ...
They tore down the depot where folks rode the train,But I did not speak out. I could not complain.They tore down two dear elementary schools,But I did not speak out, it wouldn't be cool.They drove our downtown businesses awayBut I did not speak out. What could I say?They let a governor close ...
This month the House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA) to fix Obamacare. After standing up to my own party and helping to improve the legislation, I voted yes on the bill's passage in the House. With so much misinformation surrounding the bill, I'd like to explain ...
The first woman to serve on the Iowa Supreme Court was Republican Linda Kinney Neuman, who was appointed in 1986 by Republican Governor Terry Branstad. She had previously been appointed by Republican Governor Robert Ray in 1982 to an opening in Iowa's 7th District, where she served with ...
Memorial Day is at heart a community-oriented holiday. The first observances of what we now call Memorial Day were spontaneous expressions of gratitude and remembrance on the part of Civil War veterans for their fallen comrades, organized by veterans groups in local communities. Only once it ...
In this week's newsletter I would like to reflect back at this year's session of the Senate. As a first year senator, I can say it has been busy. In the discussions I have had with other senior senators, I have learned this year has been somewhat historic.I have had the opportunity to run a ...
District 72 UpdateNewsletter for Thursday, April 20, 2017We began debating the appropriations bills this week, passing the Education Appropriations and the Administration and Regulations Appropriations on the House floor Monday. The Administration and Regulations Appropriation includes the ...
In the LegislatureThere is less than a week left for our scheduled end of this legislative session. The 100th day is April 18. While we are still working hard to be done by this day, we have much left to do on the budget for the next fiscal year.Finally more flexibility for our schoolsThis week ...
The energy landscape is continually evolving across the country and the world at an unprecedented rate. No longer is our energy generation dependent on one or two fuel sources; instead, the possibilities continue to expand. Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) has been at the forefront of ...
Newsletter for Thursday, April 13, 2017On Wednesday, April 12th, the Tama County Pork Producers generously provided a free lunch to all the folks at the capitol as a way of showcasing our county's agricultural economy. They grilled and served hundreds and hundreds of delicious, tenderized pork ...