History was made: The school choice war is finally over in Iowa ~by State Senator Jesse Green January 27, 2023 Thank you to those who have fought so long and hard on behalf of the parents and children in Iowa. It’s an honor to serve during this historic time of our state’s history as we pass transformative, pro-family legislation like…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Gov Reynolds open letter to Iowans on school choice
Today, Jan. 20, Governor Kim Reynolds released the following open letter to the state of Iowa: A strong education system is foundational to Iowa’s future, which is why school choice continues to be a priority of mine and of families across our great state. I believe in Iowa’s public schools. Kevin and I are both products of public education. It’s the…
Read MoreView from my window
A look at school finance and property taxes ~by Mary Weaver If the Governor and the Legislature are successful in allowing state educational funds to be transferred to private schools, what might occur? This writer naively thought the school board could just raise the property tax rates to cover the needs of the children being educated in Greene County. A…
Read MoreUsing public funds for faith-based education is just plain wrong
~by GreeneCountyNewsOnline publisher Victoria Riley The Iowa Senate Committee on Education and the Iowa House Education Reform Committee on Wednesday passed SF1 and HF1, what the Republicans are calling the Students First Act, out of committee and on to their respective chambers. Gov Kim Reynolds, always the sore winner, said, “This is just the first step in giving educational freedom…
Read MoreIt took most of a century
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I just finished a great book – and having gone through several weeks of a trying time finding a great one, I was more than ready. This one is called “The Dictionary of Lost Words.” It’s not new but a 2020 book, author, Pip Williams. Her title brought up to me the ‘Lost Boys’ from…
Read MoreThe Capitol Roundup
~by State Senator Jesse Green January 13, 2023 Greetings from the Golden Dome. Members of the 90th General Assembly have been sworn in and the work of making your voice heard within the policy making process has begun. I could not pick a better time in Iowa history to serve than right now. I am so proud to be a part…
Read MoreWatching the watchdogs
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Because of the paucity of ideas in my fogged brain [do I blame Covid or my age?], I look at columns of mine from thirty years ago: “Watching the watchdogs.” It could have been written today. “So, who do you believe – CBS? CNN? The Gazette? Time Magazine? None of them? “Along with all else…
Read MoreView from My Window – Census data is telling
~a column by Mary Weaver Victoria Riley, publisher of GreeneCountyNewsOnline, is allowing me periodic opportunities to express views about events that are influencing Greene County. The first column two weeks ago generated dialogue. Thank you. This column continues to be offered to create conversations about issues important to rural west central Iowa and its citizens. This VIEW from my window…
Read MoreGov Reynolds delivers 2023 Condition of the State address
Tonight, Jan. 10, Gov. Reynolds delivered her 2023 Condition of the State Address. Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery: Condition of the State Address Governor Kim Reynolds January 10, 2023 Madam President, Mr. Speaker, Lt. Governor, legislative leaders and members, justices and judges, my fellow Iowans: This is the sixth time I’ve addressed you from this chamber to report on the condition of…
Read MoreThe writer’s reading list
~by GCNO publisher Victoria Riley As I’ve done in the past two years, I’m sharing the list of books I read during the year. I read fiction to avoid relying on television for entertainment, and I read nonfiction either to get smarter or to expand my horizon. I tallied 16 books in 2020 and 21 books in 2021. I was…
Read More‘I’m very thankful,’ Miller says as he prepares to leave office
‘We never compromised on our values and principles’ Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller shares his gratitude with Iowans after serving 40 years in office. He will leave office Jan. 3. “I’m very thankful to Iowa voters. I feel fortunate to have served 10 terms in a job that I love,” said Miller, who is the longest serving attorney general in U.S.…
Read MoreView from My Window
~by Mary Weaver Editor’s note – This week debuts a new column, “View from My Window,” by Mary Weaver of rural Rippey. Weaver is a fourth generation Greene Countian, a retired public health nurse/administrator, and chair of the Iowa Women’s Democratic Caucus. According to the columnist, her bi-weekly columns will serve as an opportunity to provide data and information. Readers are…
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