Opinion

Week three at the Statehouse

Published by admin on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 9:39am

     Last session, when the budget for FY17 was passed, the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) projected revenue of $7.327 billion. In December, the REC reevaluated Iowa’s revenue and determined it was $115.5 million less than projected in March.

     By the Iowa law, we have to have a balanced budget; therefore we have to look at transferring dollars from other taxpayer funds or make cuts to departments, which have already spent much of their appropriated dollars. We adjusted accordingly to account for this new target.

House Republican newsletter

Published by admin on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 9:39am

News from Dist. 96

     As Chair of the House Agriculture Committee last week was very busy. I enjoyed attending both the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Pork Producers Legislative Receptions. I was able to visit with both Bob Ballou and Kevin Glanz to discuss issues that are important to soybean producers. I appreciated their insight on challenges facing the industry. I would like to congratulate Alan Wulfekuhle as he finishes his term as President of the Iowa Pork Producers. He did a great job for his association and pork producers.

A push for campaign reform in Iowa

Published by admin on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 9:38am

     I believe that political campaigns have become too long, too expensive, and too unpleasant. The recent presidential campaign was a case in point. The obscene amount of spending, reckless charges on all sides, and intemperate comments made by the candidates were a national embarrassment. I am introducing legislation this session that I believe would help promote pride in Iowa campaigns.

From the ground up

Published by admin on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 9:36am

     We completed week three of the Session and it was a very busy week with a lot of action in the Statehouse.

     I’ve hosted two subcommittee bill meetings last week.

     The first bill pertained to language changes that allow two agencies to work together, saving your tax dollars. These minor changes can save thousands of dollars so they can share resources.

     The second bill relates to prohibiting the use of automated traffic law enforcement systems by the Department of Transportation.

President Trump uses all forms of propaganda

Published by admin on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 9:34am

To the Editor,

Blood drive support exceeded goal

Published by admin on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 9:34am

To the Editor and the Community of Monticello,

     Thank you to the Monticello community for their wonderful response at the Monticello Rotary-sponsored American Red Cross Blood Drive in January. The 111 pints of blood collected exceeded the Red Cross’ goal for us.

     Monticello is a very supportive community and words cannot express how thankful we are to the donors that took time out of their busy schedules to donate.

Will all distractions behind the wheel be regulated?

Published by admin on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 9:33am

To the Editor,

     I am writing today regarding the texting/distracted driving issue that is currently being debated in the legislature in Des Moines. While I can certainly appreciate the argument of saving lives, I vehemently disagree with certain Congressmen (legislators) wanting to make driving while texting a primary offense. As a conservative, I believe strongly in personal rights, and also personal responsibility.

Week two at the Iowa Statehouse

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:55am

     Week-two at the capitol provided some meaningful opportunities to examine proposed legislation.

     At the Education Committee meeting, we heard about an idea to fix school transportation inequity in Iowa. Currently, under the school funding formula, every school district receives the same amount of money per pupil. The problem is that each school’s transportation costs are different.

It’s time to make our highways safer

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:54am

     One of my major priorities during my legislative career has been promoting public safety. In 1997, I was pleased to floor manage Iowa’s tough drunk driving law. In the years that followed, we began to see a reduction in Iowa highway deaths. However, due in large part to distracted driving as well as a recent uptick in drunk driving fatalities, highway deaths are increasing at an alarming rate. Four hundred and three people lost their lives on Iowa highways in 2016, a significant increase over the preceding year.

House Republican newsletter

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2017 - 8:53am

News from Dist. 96

     It was a short week in Des Moines because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We did not gavel in until Tuesday, Jan. 17. The Iowa Turkey Federation spoke to the Ag Committee on Jan. 18 about the turkey industry and issues that were important to the group. I enjoyed their presentation.

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