Still time to do more for job creation Doing more to create jobs for Iowans and grow our state’s economy is still my top priority as the 2012 session winds down. The Iowa Senate is working to invest $62 million in job creation and economic growth. The Republican-controlled Iowa House, however, is only willing to […]
Des Moines, Iowa – On Tuesday, the Iowa Legislature was still slogging it’s way through legislation, and with no paycheck anymore, lawmakers are looking to find quick results to Iowa’s pressing issues. Oskaloosa’s Guy Vander Linden said that Mental Health Reorganization was the plan, and he had hoped that it would be passed before noon […]
Tentative Deal on Total State Spending Reached Late last week a tentative agreement was reached with the House Republicans and the Governor on total spending for Fiscal Year 2013. The budget framework allows for joint budget targets to be agreed upon and the final budget to be approved by the Legislature before session adjourns for […]
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The June 5 primary continues to loom in the minds of the 5 candidates seeking the one seat on the county board of supervisors currently held by Willie VanWeelden. Mike Vander Molen (R) has been part of local politics since his return to the area back in 2008. He and his wife […]
Buying Out Mental Health Services Paid for by Medicaid Two sessions of work on redesigning Iowa’s mental health system are nearing completion, as the House continues to perfect an amendment to Senate File 2315. While much of the policy issues have been settled on a new system going into effect in FY 2014, the question […]
Iowa’s local schools aim to provide a world-class education that opens doors to a better tomorrow. That requires on-going efforts to improve. To help, the Iowa Senate has approved comprehensive education reform. Debate highlights can be seen at www.youtube.com/iowasenate. In recent years, we’ve taken the advice of parents, teachers and students, as well as state […]
(Des Moines) On Monday, April 9, the Iowa Senate approved bold, comprehensive education reform. Senate File 2284 would raise academic standards, help educators improve, and use innovation to increase student achievement. “Iowa must continue to be home to world class local schools. That’s part of building a competitive, growing state economy with good jobs at […]
Thousands of Iowa soldiers are returning home after lengthy overseas service, including the National Guard’s largest overseas deployment. In the Legislature, we’re working to expand help for our returning combat veterans. The goal is to make their transition back to civilian life as quick and easy as possible. This week, the Senate sent Senate File […]
Washington D.C., The debate over a tweet and if it was out of line for a U.S. Senator. Things really started to heat up after David Axelrod, former Senior Adviser to President Barack Obama and heading up Obama’s re-election campaign, called the Senator out on the tweet. Since then, the controversy has started to heat up. […]
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The race for the Mahaska County Supervisor seat has started to heat up, with 5 confirmed candidates having filed papers to fill the seat currently held by Supervisor Willie Van Weelden. Leighton, Iowa’s Denis Currier is one of two Democrats seeking the office. Sen. Tom Rielly is also seeking the seat for […]
