As we wrap up Week 6, I wanted to give some insights into what happened at the Capitol this week, especially because it was Funnel Week. What is Funnel Week? For those who are unfamiliar, Iowa lawmakers have self-imposed deadlines that help to keep bills moving through the legislative ...

A recently released U.S. House farm bill proposal underinvests in proven solutions farmers rely on to cut fertilizer waste, protect drinking water and reduce climate pollution, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). With mounting financial pressures on farmers, lawmakers should ...

That damn socialist mayor out in New York threatened to hike property taxes by 9.5% unless he can ram through a wealth tax. Wait a New York minute: Property taxes on our humble metal shed along Railroad Street shot up more than 70% this year. Potholes pock the streets and we can barely afford ...

I started my career in rural Iowa in 1974 as an English, speech and reading teacher. Our students were top performers and the state’s education system was the gold standard. Educators and public schools in general were revered and respected by their communities. We didn’t have a lot of ...

As we wrap up Week 5 of Session, let me share what has been happening this week. Agriculture Committee Pushes Important Bills Ahead of Funnel The House Agriculture Committee was active this week, advancing legislation on a range of issues including thoroughbred and quarter horse racing, ...

Hello Friends. As we wrap up our fourth week of session, I wanted to brief you on what is happening here at the Capitol. Audits of the State Auditor’s Office Are Behind Schedule At the close of each fiscal year, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) releases the Annual ...

When Democrats Controlled the Budget When Iowa House Democrats controlled the legislature from 2007–2010, fiscal responsibility took a back seat. During those four legislative sessions, Democrats: -Rapidly increased state spending -Used one-time federal bailout money to mask revenue ...

I don’t think I could’ve been happier seeing recent news that South Tama, Urbandale, and Cedar Falls school districts passed Public School Strong resolutions. Cedar Rapids was a week before, and they joined Albia, Belmond-Klemme, Decorah, Bennett, and Keokuk who passed resolutions late last ...

Since Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump has been working around the clock to put American Farmers First after inheriting one of the toughest farm economies our country has faced in decades. Here in Iowa, farmers and ranchers know the challenges firsthand – rising input costs, volatile ...

Last year, more than 4,600 Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state tax form. This represents a decline of 12 percent from the 2023 tax year. Overall, the number of donors to the long-standing check-off have declined by more ...