Crop insurance provides a safety net for farmers, protecting their operations from loss due to natural perils such as drought, frost, excess moisture, pest infestations, or disease. While essential for many farmers, the rules regulating crop insurance have often been at odds with conservation ...

Week two of the session is done, this is the week when we begin our work on bills in earnest. I’ve chaired a few subcommittee’s this week for bill’s assigned to me by the Public Safety Committee chair, and served as a member of several others. I’m also working on writing and filing ...

Our children’s education is one of the most important and most sacred responsibilities of parents. Parents have the largest impact on their child’s education and parent involvement is one of the most significant indicators of a child’s success in school (Mapp, Carver, & Lander, 2017). ...

Iowa lawmakers are gathering once again in Des Moines for another year of debating and passing legislation. The democratic process is something America prides itself on and one that requires input from citizens to thrive. As new bills are being introduced and debated, lawmakers need to hear ...

As Iowa’s 2024 legislative session kicked off last week, I want to take a moment to say hello and thanks for your engagement in Iowa’s future. This year, I’m committed to living our Iowa values and offering A Better Deal for Iowans. To do that, we need passionate Iowans like you to stay ...

The 2024 Legislative session began on January 8, and as always, the first week was filled with speeches and all the ceremony that surrounds them. Of course, the highlight of those speeches is always the Governor’s Condition of the State address that was delivered by Gov. Reynolds on Tuesday ...

Q: What’s ahead in the new year? A: The appalling violence at Perry High School this week was a shocking and tragic beginning to the new year. Barbara and I join the Perry community, and all of Iowa, in grieving for those affected by this terrible event. Our prayers will remain with the city ...

I strongly suggest that all Iowans consider participating in the upcoming Iowa Caucuses on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Both Democrats and Republicans “caucus” separately in their local precincts to perform basic party functions. Although the 2024 Democratic caucuses have not ...

Dear Tama County Voters, As Iowans, we have a unique opportunity to impact policy that governs our lives. The Iowa Caucuses will be held January 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. At the caucuses, there are many ways to make a difference. In Tama County, we will gather with our neighbors at precinct ...

I really should not be surprised by some comments that represent what passes for civic dialogue in Iowa these days. The latest example leaves me shaking my head, not just at the events themselves but at the reactions. Mrs. Gentry, my history and government teacher in high school, would be ...