The thirteenth week of the legislative session is nearing the end. We’re working on finishing the 2024 Legislative Session, so we continue to debate many bills that better Iowa. This newsletter covers a recent bill that the Iowa House passed that received major pushback from our liberal ...
We have finished week 13 of the session, but we are continuing to pass policy bills, including bills that have come back from the Senate with amendments, as work on the budget continues. Senate File 2391, known as the Meat Integrity Act, is a bill to establish fair labeling standards on ...
No problem is so big that we can’t run from it — or at least avoid thinking about it. That’s human nature. There are many concerns that should command our attention but do not. Too often, we hope or assume a serious problem will go away or will spare us. In the aftermath of the Covid ...
We have finished week 12 of the session, and we are rapidly entering the budget portion of the session. The budget picture is bright, I will share more in future newsletters. With the Republican trifecta in the Capitol, we have been focused on lowering the tax burden on Iowans. But we ...
During my first term in the U.S. Senate, Congress established Women’s History Week to recognize the role women play in our nation’s economy, culture and politics. Acknowledging their work, sacrifice, resilience and patriotism inspires future generations to pursue their dreams and ...
On Thursday of Week 11 the House once again dealt with the much discussed Area Education Association reform bill. I agree with the Governor that our special education students deserve the very best. I also believe that our taxpayers deserve the best as well. As I’ve learned more about this ...
The second funnel has officially concluded. For all bills that have passed through a chamber, the opposite chamber has to pass them out of committee before the second funnel deadline which was March 15. This process keeps us focused on important priorities and bills with enough support to ...
As a candidate for Sheriff in beautiful Tama County, I know how important it is to be connected with the ones you serve. Although I did not grow up in Tama County, I have strong connections here. My great-grandmother Blanche (Sevcik) Rebik was born in Carroll Township, near Vining, with her ...
Sunshine Week is March 10-16, 2024. Q: What is the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)? A: Under this nearly six decades-old federal law, the public has the right to request access to records from any federal agency. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) helps keep check on government ...
Week 9 of the session was again filled with debate as we continue to send bills over to the Senate. This newsletter is also continuing discussion about bills passed in week 8 as well. After the initial discussion about Special Education and the Area Education Agencies spurred by the ...