×

Editorials

Apprenticeships and job training expand the middle class

The 21st century economy needs workers with postsecondary credentials and the ability to adapt to changing business needs. Apprenticeship programs prepare thousands of workers to fit that bill every year.Apprenticeships can help Iowans train in a trade, improve their skills and get ...

New Youth Career Connections network established

Sometimes the things that make the most sense are never realized. And then again, sometimes they are. A statewide, work-based learning intermediary network makes sense and the Iowa legislature awarded $1.45 million for the development of such networks in each of Iowa's 15 community college ...

District 72 Update

Week 14As the session winds down, the legislature continues to pass the budget bills. Of the eleven budget bills, two have passed both chambers, several have gone to conference committee and two are still awaiting floor action.The House Republicans remain committed to these budgeting ...

Justice budget strengthens public safety

Last week, the Senate voted to appropriate more than $554 million to ensure safety for Iowans and communities throughout the state by adequately funding our prisons, our courts, the Department of Public Safety, the Attorney General, and other agencies and functions of our justice system.As ...

On the Stump: Politics 2014

Suffolk University Iowa Poll shows Hillary Clinton strongand GOP field scatteredBOSTON - With the January 2016 Iowa presidential caucuses on the horizon, Hillary Clinton is the far-and-away favorite among self-described Democratic caucus-goers, according to a Suffolk University statewide Iowa ...

Capitol Update

Week 13We are closing in on the end of the session. We debate fewer and fewer bills as the list dwindles, but the bills we debate are the large, complex appropriations bills that can take many hours and even days of preparation time and then many hours to debate and work through the many ...

Protecting the wages of Iowa workers

As companies work to modernize their operations, many turn to outside services to handle their payroll and human resources functions. Some employers now pay their employees using payroll debit cards. These cards are issued to employees, and their wages are deposited onto the card on ...

District 72 Update

Week 12The House is deep into the budget process now; the appropriation bills for the various departments are working their way through the committees and to the floor.Visitors this week were: from the Sing Me To Heaven Foundation; Diane McIntosh of La Porte City, Jennifer Mehlert of Traer, ...

Summer shouldn’t mean hunger for our nation’s children

As a child, I always looked forward to the carefree joy of summertime. I remember the long days of playing outside at a nearby park until I needed to come home for lunch. Unfortunately, many of our nation's children do not experience the simple joys of summer. In fact, far too many are left ...