Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year more

We were called into a special session by the governor to vote on the heartbeat bill on July 11. Such an exciting time to be a part of the legislation. more

Excerpts from North Scott Community Schools superintendent Joe Stutting’s school year-end report to the district board of directors. more

Gov. Kim Reynolds convened the General Assembly of Iowa on July 11 for the sole purpose of enacting legislation that addresses abortion and protects unborn lives. The bill that was passed was the same bill that was passed by the legislature in 2018. more

Eldridge council members heard actual usage statistics when Scott County Library board president Kristal Koberg Schaefer attended the June 19 meeting. At the time, council member Bruce Cheek suggested the Scott County Library System was presenting misinformation. more

Reps. Randy Feenstra, and Mariannette Miller Meeks joined Sen. Joni Ernst for the annual congressional baseball game, June 14 at Nationals Park. more

I believe veterans are overlooked as part of our modern society. Our veterans are living examples of the American spirit. They display courage, determination, and the rugged individualism we all strive to achieve in our lives. more

The river means something different to everyone. For many, it is a spiritual place for meditation and retreat. Others think of recreation and family outings (for me, it’s one of my favorite places to walk my new puppy, Bailey). At times, the river is a source of anxiety as flooding becomes a more regular concern. more

The Iowa legislative session has adjourned with a balanced budget once again. Republicans in the Iowa Statehouse have proven time and again that we can cut your taxes while maintaining a balanced budget that adequately funds your priorities. more

I don’t believe California Prop 12, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last week, specifically speaks to hogs raised in Iowa. If I am wrong, I welcome the correction. more

For the 20th time since 1933, Congress is writing a multiyear farm bill that will shape what kind of food U.S. farmers grow, how they raise it and how it gets to consumers. These measures are large, complex and expensive: The next farm bill is projected to cost taxpayers $1.5 trillion over 10 years. more

We heard from Republican lawmakers that the recently completed legislative session was “historic.” It sure was — historically small. more

The 2023 legislative session ended last week after some long days debating bills and finishing up budgets. We have allocated $8.517 billion for the next budget year, spending only 88.25 percent of ongoing revenue. Responsible budgets have been a key principle since Republicans took the majority in 2017, and have allowed us to fund important priorities, like an extra $107 million to K-12 schools this year. more

May 4 was the final day of the 2023 session. Much of last week was taken up with debate over the $8.517 billion budget. During debate on the largest budget bill, Democrats claimed funding for Area Education Associations was being cut. more

Led by House Republicans, the Legislature has acted on significant measures this session empowering parents while making clear where the lines of control exist when it comes to parental responsibility and school districts' responsibility. more

There was no floor action in the Iowa House last week as the budget subcommittee chairs focused on negotiating the details of the state budget with their counterparts in the Senate. more

I’m looking forward to Iowa’s Jan. 15 caucus and not just for the temporary reprieve from negative political ads. Due to the presidential preference card changes, Democrats will be getting back to basics and expanding opportunities to participate in candidate selection. more

The Senate moved SSB 3069 past the first step in the legislative process.  more

Iowa Federation of Republican Women members helped organize and run caucus gatherings in 1,670 precincts in 99 counties, and National Federation of Republican Women leaders traveled to be on the ground in the Des Moines area for the big night, Jan. 15. more

One of the topics we have been hearing a lot about is area education agencies (AEAs). I appreciate all the messages I have been getting from my constituents, teachers, administrators, and parents/grandparents on this issue that demonstrate a strong commitment to our kids. more