Opinion

Education Funding Discussion Upcoming

     The House will debate education funding in the upcoming days; therefore, I wanted to look back at the progress we have made so far on behalf of our students and our schools.

     Since the 2011-12 school year, investment in K-12 education has increased by $765 million, or about 30 percent. Over that same time, the rate of inflation is 10.96 percent according to the Midwest Consumer Price Index. Funding for schools has increased at nearly triple the rate of inflation!

     This has resulted in:

     Ten states now regulate marijuana like alcohol.

     In November, Michigan voters approved legal sales of marijuana to adults. The newly elected governors of both Minnesota and Illinois want to do the same.

     Iowa should follow their lead. Marijuana prohibition hasn’t worked and has hurt taxpayers and everyday Iowans.

     Despite the best efforts of the criminal justice system to protect us from this overly exaggerated threat and the hundreds of millions spent on police, courts, jails and prisons, Iowans are not safer or healthier.

Food for Thought: The Gut-brain Axis

     One of the biggest buzzwords in current media refers to the smallest subject: the human gut microbiome. This microbiome is a collection of microorganisms living in the human intestinal tract; aka the “good gut bugs.” These good gut bugs help our gut produce compounds needed for digestion and absorption of other nutrients. They also provide protection against harmful “bugs” and support our immune system. These good gut bugs have also been shown to promote brain health.