February 20, 2020 ~by Sen Jerry Behn Subcommittee and committee work took up most, if not all, of our time during the sixth week because the end of the week is the first legislative deadline of the year, nicknamed ‘funnel week.’ This deadline requires most legislation be passed out of committee in its originating chamber – Senate bills need to…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
A kind of prayer for a person who does not get it (life)
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Years ago, when I told a woman I couldn’t go to mass because my in-laws were coming in about then, she said, “I’ll pray for you.” I was offended, thinking she was a little high and mighty, judging me, as if she thought I needed to be prayed on. I was young and, if not…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Phylis Crowder in support of Sean Sebourn
To the editor, The city council, once again, at the expense of the residents, voted unanimously to hold a special election on March 3 to fill the vacant council seat. This in spite of the large group of supporters present at the Jan. 14 council meeting urging for the appointment of a very viable candidate, Sean Sebourn, to fill the…
Read MoreThe Behn Report
~by Sen. Jerry Behn February 14, 2020 One of the first things we did during our fifth week in the Senate was pass our education funding bills, Senate File 2164 and Senate File 2142. These bills together mean approximately $90 million in increased funding for Iowa schools. We are confident this amount is sustainable and responsible, allowing us to prioritize…
Read MoreWhat now?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Our current president, #45, may be a perfectly fine gentlemen who is nice to his family, friends and pets. We know he really likes one of his girls. We know he brooks no difference of opinion with his friends, and we’ve seen lots of them drift away. But we all lose friends over time. His…
Read MoreTodd Rasmussen announces candidacy for IA Senate District 24 seat
Boone County Republican co-chair and local builder Todd Rasmussen on Jan. 31 announced he is running for the Iowa Senate District 24 seat. Rasmussen has spent the last 34 years in commercial and residential construction. Todd and his wife Amy live in Boone where they home school their son at Boone HSAP. Their daughter resides in eastern Iowa. He served…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Sue Richardson, in support of Iowa caucus
Dear Editor: It was disheartening for me to hear the press coverage about the Iowa caucuses. The national media claimed the caucus was a disaster which is not true for the people who attended them. It may be true for the news agencies who are paying their staff to stay in Iowa causing additional expenses, but the media frenzy was…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Ted Herrick in support of Sean Sebourn
To the Editor: On Tuesday, March 3rd, the city of Jefferson will hold a special election to fill a city council vacancy created when Matt Gordon was elected mayor last November. There is no doubt about it; we are very lucky to have the candidates we do. All of the folks who have expressed interest in this position would do…
Read MorePolitics, the word in any language that brings out the beast
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I had a great time one recent evening talking Italian food versus American food, with Italians. They liked hamburgers, steaks, French fries. But they preferred their own pasta to baked potatoes; Italian wine to all others—South American, Portuguese, Spanish and French being above California; gelato compared to ice cream, which they think simply isn’t as…
Read MoreGOP leadership weighs in on delay in Dem caucus reporting
DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst released the following joint statement regarding Iowa’s presidential caucuses: “Iowa’s unique role encourages a grassroots nominating process that empowers everyday Americans, not Washington insiders or powerful billionaires. The face-to-face retail politics nature of Iowa’s caucus system also encourages dialogue between candidates and voters that makes our…
Read MoreQ & A: Iowa caucuses 2020
~by Sen Chuck Grassley Q. What makes the Iowa caucuses unique? A: Nearly 50 years ago, Iowa launched its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses and has retained this prominent position since 1972. Every four years, the Hawkeye State becomes the launching pad to the White House as candidates kick-off their campaigns for the presidency, meeting with Iowans in living rooms, diners, schools…
Read MoreMayor Pete woos voters in Jefferson
With less than a week until the Iowa caucuses, Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg* visited Jefferson Wednesday morning. He spoke with about 120 persons, including middle school students who had walked to the event at History Boy Theatre. Buttigieg was introduced by Shelly Thornton of Jefferson, who explained she chose him from the wide field of candidates when she realized “he…
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