The property tax blame game ~by State Senator Jesse Green April 7, 2023 Greetings from the Capitol. We are entering into the final stretch of this session. This past week Iowans received their new property tax assessments, which has made property taxes the main topic of conversation at the Capitol from my perspective. Property owners are rightly fearful of what…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Inside the Iowa House: Lowering costs for Iowans
~By Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst April 8, 2023 The Iowa Legislature is supposed to wrap up work at the end of April, but progress slowed significantly this week. The reason for it is pretty simple – politics – and it’s no secret at the State Capitol. Things have ground to a near halt because the Republican leaders running…
Read MoreWhose best interest?
Once again, Senator Jesse Green is trying to use scare tactics and his own misguided opinion to influence constituents. In an opinion piece, Senator Green claimed that parents, teachers, and doctors are encouraging children to “mutilate” themselves and intentionally harming them. This is not only offensive to parents and professionals, but it’s dangerous. First, let’s look at the facts. “Senate…
Read MoreView from My Window
There are ways to reduce your risk of dementia I am taking a break from the anxiety being created by this legislative session and Governor Reynolds. Every day local control is being usurped in our schools, libraries, and the courts. In my opinion, every child should be equally loved, and parents have the responsibility and right to determine health care…
Read MoreInside the Iowa House: Protecting reproductive freedom
~by Iowa House Democratic leader Jennifer Konfrst March 25, 2023 All session long, we’ve been working on priorities that a majority of Iowans support and turning those into legislation that will impact the lives of Iowans. We know folks are tired of politics and division. They just want lawmakers to work together to make their lives a bit better. One…
Read MoreThe Capitol Roundup
~by Sen Jesse Green March 24, 2023 The past couple weeks have been the busiest of the year so far at the Capitol. The second deadline is approaching, so lawmakers are frantic trying to get their priority bills out of their respective chamber and advocating for them in the other chamber. If a bill does not pass out of the…
Read MorePeople Over Politics
Fixing Iowa’s mental health crisis ~by Jennifer Konfrst, Iowa House Democratic leader With just over a month left in session, there’s still time to make some progress on the issues important to Iowa. I share the frustration of so many Iowans who are exhausted by the divisive politics pushed by too many at the State Capitol this session. While not…
Read MoreAn extraordinary fellow
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The history of Jimmy’s Carter’s presidency gives him little quarter; according to too many, he failed. An honest person is more likely doomed to fail in politics than a person who can dissemble; a person who wants to work in a profession that takes a lot of compromise without compromising one’s own integrity is rare.…
Read MoreView from My Window
~a column by Mary Weaver, Democrat Women’s Caucus chair I have been trying to lose some weight. When I am hungry, I am hard to live with. ( Just ask my husband.) When I am really hungry I get a headache, and sort of wobbly, but I am fortunate to always have food available. There are friends and neighbors near…
Read MoreDo parents know what’s best for their children or don’t they?
~a column by GreeneCountyNewsOnline publisher Victoria Riley In January we heard over and over again from Gov Kim Reynolds and her Republican followers that parents know what’s best for their children. “…every child is an individual who deserves an education tailored to their unique needs, and parents are in the best position to identify the right environment,” Reynolds said in…
Read MoreCapitol Roundup
~by Sen Jesse Green On Tuesday night, the Iowa Senate passed a monumental bill in the line of defending children. No longer can children who are confused about gender or sex go to a doctor, school nurse, or teacher, and explain their confusion and end up being mutilated or sterilized. I am disappointed to see how some news organizations have…
Read MorePeople Over Politics
A tough week at the State Capitol ~a column by Jennifer Confrst, Iowa House Democratic leader I’ll be honest, it was a tough week at the State Capitol. For lots of Iowans and for me, too. The GOP leaders of the House and Senate decided to push through a host of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been introduced this year to…
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