Governor Branstad's abrupt decision to close the Iowa Juvenile Home created a number of problems. It is the Legislature's job to help solve those problems. The Senate has passed legislation on this issue. The House has not taken up that legislation. So we must settle these issues through the ...
Spring is here and thoughts of travel come to mind. Increased levels of mobility by Americans and world citizens provides both an opportunity and a challenge. At the local and regional level, as we move around the countryside with various vehicles, the odds are that travelers will pass through ...
DES?MOINES- Iowa children are the big winners this week in the Iowa Senate, according to State Senator Steve Sodders of State Center."We took two big steps forward for children. First, the Senate voted unanimously to increase the childcare tax credit," said Sodders. "Second, the Senate ...
Week 9The work has definitely shifted this week as we wind down with policy bills and begin work on the budget bills. With the budget targets agreed to by both chambers, we are now six weeks ahead of last year's timetable. Work in our standing committees has wound down. For me those are Natural ...
Recent polls show 83 percent of Iowans want tougher laws for texting while driving. The Iowa Senate responded with a bipartisan vote to strengthen penalties and enforcement.Texting is the most dangerous form of driver distraction. It makes the chance of an accident 23 times greater because it ...
One of the best parts of being a state legislator is encouraging more Iowans to get involved, whether it is though civic engagement or volunteer work in their communities. This week, we saw those two things come together in a bill that passed the Iowa Senate.Senate File 2129, a bill that I ...
It sparked gambling in Iowa - a trio of dog racing licenses (and one for a horse track) were issued in July, 1984.Waterloo, Dubuque and Council Bluffs were recipients of pari-mutual dog track licenses and of course, Polk County (Altoona) received the coveted horse racing track license.Waterloo ...
"I'm fascinated by change."When I hear people say things like that, I find the analyst in me rising to the surface. My response comes easily as I eagerly share ideas about the interesting patterns of change, the dynamics of emerging change, and the time horizon necessary to facilitate change. I ...
Week 7The focus of this week turned to debating bills on the floor of the House in an effort to clear as many of the bills that passed out of committee over the past few weeks. I also had the pleasure of hosting several visitors this week, including a visit from the South Tama School's ...
When legislators deal with criminal law issues, we often hear, "what about the victims?" This week the Senate approved SF 2109, solid evidence that we really do care about victims. For years, those who've suffered sexual abuse-often at the hands of trusted family members and friends-have been ...