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I had the chance to talk with many constituents
at a recent event in Washington County. I've been meeting with
groups throughout my Senate District to learn about their
priorities and to receive suggestions for providing state
services more effectively. |
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On September 21, I had
the honor of swearing in our new State Representative for House
District 90, Curt Hanson. Curt grew up on an Iowa family
farm and is a retired teacher and driver education instructor. He's also a good friend, who'll be a great
representative for the the people of our area. Pictured in front
of Fairfield High School, from left: Rep. Curt Hanson, his wife,
Diane, and I. |
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I participated in 59th Annual Bar-B-Q Days in Stockport over the
Labor Day weekend. It was great to see lots of folks coming out
to enjoy the parade, tractor pulls, car show and other community
activities. |
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Eldon residents come out for a "Supper in the
Park" fundraiser for the American Legion. |
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Lt. Gov. Patty Judge
joined us for the Eldon dinner. She’s pictured here with Wapello
County Supervisor Steve Siegel, Eldon Mayor Dave Bowen, I, Curt
Hansen, and Representatives Mary Gaskill and Kurt Swaim.
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I recently joined US
Senator Tom Harkin for an event at the Pony Farm in rural
Fairfield. |
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Ottumwa City Councilman Gordon Aistrope chats
with Senator Harkin before the event. |
The Jefferson County Fair was June 24-29 in
Fairfield. Pictured at left are Austin Greiner and his mother,
Sheryl. At right, Lillian Brown competes in the tractor pull.
Check out more than 200 other fair photos from Times to Cherish
Photography at
http://jeffersoncofair.com/fairphotos.html. |
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The many volunteers who offer their time and
talent are one of the great strengths of our southeast Iowa communities.
As I read local newspapers, I'm amazed at the myriad of volunteer
activities going on and the numerous citizens who are actively
involved. When I was a school social worker, I was well aware of
the research showing that students who have a strong
relationship with an adult are more resilient and likely to
succeed. And I was proud to observe staff and school volunteers
making a significant impact on students everyday.
Another person who believes in the power of
volunteerism is artist Suzanne Stryker of Fairfield. After three
of her
paintings were stolen and then anonymously returned, Suzanne
started Project Help in an attempt to reach out to the person
who took the artworks. Suzanne's hope is that this Project Help will
create a community model of prevention and inspire others to
lend a helping hand. “If we can prevent even one
person from getting ensnared in our prison system--that would be
worth our while," she says. Learn more at Suzanne's website at
www.paintyoga.com/help.html. |
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Project Help volunteers include Judith Hans-Price, Kathy
Butler, Sherry Hogue, Susan Seifert, Suzanne Stryker and Carol Weisswasser. |
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I attended the groundbreaking for the Veterans Memorial in
Riverside on June 27. The new memorial at the former American
Legion Park will be dedicated
on Veterans Day in November. community members worked together
to come up with the concept for the memorial, which will be a
vertical black granite base with an eagle on top. Riverside Color Guard
(pictured) was on hand for the groundbreaking
ceremony. |
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Washington County Veterans Affairs Commissioner Terry Philips spoke
at the Veterans Memorial groundbreaking
ceremony in Riverside. |
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On May 26, Senator Tom Courtney of Burlington, an
Assistant Senate Majority Leader and Vietnam Veteran, joined me to talk with local residents about the
Legislature's great accomplishments for Iowa veterans.
Thanks to everyone who came out to meet with us. I
appreciate the time each and every one of you takes to share
your ideas and concerns with me.
In Fairfield, we met at the Public Library with Harold Frakes,
Mayor Ed Malloy and Barb Hood. |
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I recently toured the new Jefferson County Health
Center with Deb Cardin, US Representative Dave Loebsack and
Joneane Parker. |
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Jefferson County
Democrats Treasurer Curt Hanson and I awarded a $600 scholarship to
Amanda McCan. Amanda, a Fairfield High School 2008 graduate,
attends the American University in Washington, D.C. where she is
a political science major. Amanda is the daughter of David and
Cindy McCan of Fairfield. |
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Amanda's family and friends were on hand May 28
when she received her scholarship. Pictured, from left: Susie
Drish, I, Cindy McCan and Amanda McCan. |
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I was honored recently to receive the Iowa
Physician's Assistant Society’s legislative award for 2009. I
have worked hard to make affordable health care more available
to all Iowans and have been a strong advocate for health care
professionals during my time in the Legislature. Learn more
about the Iowa PA Society's work at
www.iapasociety.org.
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Legislature working on smarter, tougher, safer
laws
We are currently looking for smart ways to
toughen Iowa’s sex offender laws and keep our children safer.
A new proposal is getting strong support from Iowa’s law
enforcement community, including the Iowa State Sheriffs &
Deputies Association, the Iowa State Police Officers Council,
the Iowa Department of Public Safety, and Iowa Attorney General
Tom Miller. Among those at the Statehouse for a public hearing
on the bill were Jefferson County Sheriff Jerry Droz, Washington
County Sheriff Jerry Dunbar and Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek.
Pulkrabek is pictured here with Senator Becky Schmitz of
Fairfield and Senator Bob Dvorsky of Coralville.
The legislation under consideration calls for “exclusion zones.”
Under this bill, anyone who has committed a sex offense against
a minor:
** Cannot be on school, childcare center or library property
unless they have the permission of the administrator.
** Cannot be in school vehicles without the permission of the
administrator.
** Cannot loiter within 300 feet of school, childcare center or
library property.
** Cannot work at an elementary or secondary school or childcare
center.
** Cannot loiter within 300 feet of premises intended primarily
for use by minors, including public playgrounds, pools and
recreational or sport-related activity areas.
This proposal also helps law enforcement keep track of sex
offenders by requiring offenders to provide such details as
vehicle license and registration numbers, passport and
immigration documents, and Internet identifiers. Many offenders
would need to report to the sheriff’s office more frequently to
verify their information and their whereabouts. In addition, the
Iowa Sex Offender Registry website would identify residency
restrictions and exclusion zones for offenders.
The proposed sex offender legislation is smarter, tougher and
safer than what we currently have on the books. |
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On April 13, the Iowa Senate overwhelmingly
approved a bill encouraging the development of methane gas power
plants. State Senator Becky Schmitz of Fairfield describes the
benefits of using methane gas to produce electricity, citing the
reduction in carbon emissions and the reduction in landfill
waste. See it on YouTube
by clicking here. |
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On April 8, Governor Chet Culver signed a bill
that helps level the playing field for employers in Iowa by
addressing and remedying unfair practices of dishonest
employers, including the illegal use of child labor. House File
618, which was approved unanimously in both the House and
Senate, creates a civil penalty for child labor violations;
increases the civil penalty for failing to pay an employee’s
wages; and increases child labor criminal penalties from simple
misdemeanors to serious misdemeanors. |
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Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg and
State Senator Becky Schmitz of Fairfield at the "Gift to Iowa's
Future Day" ceremony at the Statehouse on April 6.
Last year the Legislature approved, and the
Governor signed, legislation making the first Monday in April
the day we officially recognize Iowans who, in the last year,
have decided to permanently protect natural areas by donating
land for Iowa's parks, open spaces, recreation areas and the
enduring conservation of natural resources.
Their generosity results in some of the most important and
enduring legacies that Iowans can leave for future generations.
Their gifts improve Iowa’s quality of life and become important
assets to local economies.
Among those honored during "Gift to Iowa's Future Day" were
Clemencia and Martin Nolan of Weston, Florida, who donated the
160-acre Nolan Wetland in Keokuk and Washington counties.
The Nolans, a mother and son, donated a portion of their Iowa
property’s value through a bargain sale. The 160 acres of
wetland are adjacent to a tributary of the English River and are
enrolled in the USDA Wetland Reserve Program. This project
expands and protects the English River Wildlife Area for
additional public recreation and wildlife habitat. The property
will be funded and managed by the conservation boards of three
counties: Keokuk, Washington and Iowa. |
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Representatives from the University of Iowa
Teacher Education Program and student teachers talked with me
and Sen. Bob Dvorsky about a variety of education issues
recently. As chair of the Senate Education Committee, I
appreciate the input of teachers, parents and students. Your
ideas and feedback help me do my job better. |
Youtube
Video |
Attempting to groom children for sexual abuse by exposing them
to obscene material could be cause for removing a child from
their home if legislation successfully floor managed by Iowa
State Senator Becky Schmitz of Fairfield becomes law. On Monday,
March 23, 2009, the Iowa Senate overwhelmingly approved Senate
File 271.
Click here to watch on YouTube. |
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On March 25, Governor Chet Culver signed Senate
File 197, making Iowa the first state in the nation to enact new
federal guidelines modernizing our unemployment insurance
system. As a result of this legislation, Iowa’s Unemployment
Insurance Fund stands to receive $71 million in federal aid to
make these changes. Iowa is the first state in the nation to
fully comply with the law. The bill provides for more unemployed
Iowans to claim benefits in the quarter they first become
unemployed; provides for an additional 26 weeks of benefits for
workers who enroll in high-demand or high-tech training
programs; and makes it easier to rehire returning veterans.
Senate File 197 passed House and Senate with broad bipartisan
support. |
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Judy Jeffrey was introduced to the Senate for her
reappointment as Director of the Department of Education. |
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I met with Craig Just at the Statehouse on Tuesday. He is with
the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at the
University of Iowa. He is an expert in sustainable and
affordable wastewater treatment in rural Iowa, and we discussed
the best ways to keep Iowa's water clean. |
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On Tuesday, March 24, Timothy Orr was unanimously confirmed by
the Iowa Senate as the new Adjutant General of the State of
Iowa. |
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Members of the Van Buren County Extension
Services were visiting the Capitol on March 18. Other groups
represented within the group included the County Fair Board,
4-H, and Master Gardeners. |
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The Iowa chapter of the American Association of Retired People
held a legislative breakfast at the Capitol on March 11 to
advocate for a variety of issues affecting Iowa's seniors,
including healthcare and financial security. I talked with Becky Kelly
of Johnson County about what the Legislature can
do to help. |
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March 10 was Capitol Youth Day 2009 at the Iowa
Statehouse. Secretary of State Michael Mauro hosted hundreds of
middle school students from across the state, including students
from Van Buren Community Schools.
CYD brings students to their State Capitol to promote civic
engagement and help them gain a better understanding of the
governing process. Students met with Secretary of State Mauro,
other statewide elected officials and state legislators. They
also toured the Statehouse and observed the legislative process
from the Senate and House galleries. |
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I talked with Jackie Wipperman of Grimes at the Iowa Vocational
Rehabilitation Services' legislative breakfast on Thursday. The
IVRS mission is to work for and with individuals with
disabilities to achieve their employment, independence, and
economic goals |
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I had the opportunity to meet with Bishop Martin Amos, the
Diocese of Davenport, at the Iowa Catholic Conference
legislative breakfast on March 5. |
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Dixie Daugherty was visiting the Statehouse with Healthy
Villages, which creates county-wide health and fitness programs.
Healthy Villages in Van Buren County is part of Senator Tom Harkin's Community
Wellness Grant Projects. |
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I had the opportunity to with three student
leaders and their advisor of the Family Career and Community
Leaders of America from the Van Buren Community School district.
They talked with me about how L to R: Zach Pilchner, Senator Schmitz, Christina
Hartman, Jordan Staton, and Doris Straight |
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I talked with Joe Crozier of the Great Prairie
AEA on February 26. td>
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I talked with Joe Crozier of the Great Prairie
AEA on February 26. |
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I had the opportunity to meet with members of the
Iowa State Education Association at the Statehouse recently.
Kathy Brown and Vickie Wahl attended a presentation by Governor
Chet Culver. Pictured, from left: I, Governor Culver, Kathy Brown and
Vickie Wahl. |
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Representative John Whitaker and I talked with constituents
visiting the Capitol with Iowa Workforce Development on February
25. From left: I, Judy Garman, Suzie Drish, Debbie
Dowell, Representative Whitaker and Barb Hood. |
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Senator Schmitz meets with Myron Gookin, Mayor
Pro Tem of Fairfield, during the showcase of Iowa’s Great
Places. Gookin and others are developing projects to help
Fairfield, including working to increase economic activity
downtown, celebrating its diversity, and becoming a leader in
culture and the arts. These efforts can be seen throughout
Fairfield as the Great Places projects progress. |
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Lynhon Stout and Jesse Goldstien were at the Statehouse for the
Iowa Foster Care and Adoption Association Legislative breakfast
of Tuesday, February 17. |
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U.S.
Representative Bruce Braley spoke to our caucus on Tuesday,
February 17. He discussed the opportunities for Iowa in the
recently passed federal stimulus bill. He said the
legislation will create 37,000 Iowa jobs by rebuilding
crumbling roads and bridges, investing in passenger rail and
putting people to work on aviation, water and flood control
projects.
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On February 12, I talked to Christina Shark of Ottumwa, Heather
Robinson of Oskaloosa, and Pat
McReynolds of Richland about child care and family
support services. They were participating in the Early
Childhood Iowa Day on the Hill. |
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The Iowa Grocers' Association was at the
Statehouse on February 10. I had the opportunity
to talk with Dennis Purcell, who manages the Wal-Mart
store in Washington. |
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On February 10, I talked with Emily Emonin of Marion.
Emily is with the Brain Injury Association of Iowa and
was at the Capitol to educate legislators about
the needs of Iowans living brain injuries. |
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Three community college students visited
the State Capitol on February 4 to thank lawmakers who
supported Iowa’s wind energy expansion efforts. Students
Spencer Baak, Kary Haglan and Grant Erickson talked with
me about continuing support for Iowa’s community
colleges and the Iowa Power Fund. A two-year program at
Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville to train
students to learning to build and maintain wind turbines
will grow from 71 students this year to 102 students
next year. Graduates typically receive 10 to 20 job
offers when they complete their courses. |
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On February 3, I met with groups from across my district
at the Iowa League of Resource Conservation and
Development Councils.
RC&Ds are locally
controlled within each region of the state and issue
federal grants to develop non-polluted rivers, protect
resources, and improve the overall community.
First
Picture: Wesley Rich, County Supervisor from Washington
County from Kalona, Iowa and Senator Schmitz
Second Picture: Stephen Burgmeier, County Supervisor
from Jefferson County, Senator Schmitz and Marvin
Philips, County Supervisor from Van Buren County. |
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I met with Margaret Oliver of Des Moines at the Iowa
Department of the Blind's legislative breakfast at the
Statehouse on January 29. |
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I talked with Michele Greiner, a psychologist from
Fairfield, at the Capitol on January 27. She was at the
Statehouse to advocate for improved
access to mental health care for all Iowans. |
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Iowa Mennonite FFA students visited the Iowa Statehouse
on January 26, to talk with lawmakers about the benefits
of Iowa agriculture education programs. FFA students earned $16
million last year through their agricultural career
experience, internship and entrepreneurship programs. |
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State Senator Roger Stewart of Preston and I met with Anne Tabor
of the Iowa Diabetic Association. Tabor is a Dietician from Iowa City and was
at the Capitol to discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy
lifestyle. |
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It's always great to have our Iowa
veterans at the Statehouse. On January 22, Washington
County veterans Sue Rich and Robert Kennedy met with me
outside the Senate Chamber to discuss veterans issues.
I am proud of the steps we've taken in the Legislature
to honor our veterans and meet their needs. The Iowa
Veterans Council reported that the 2008 Legislative
session was “the most successful year for veterans in
the Legislature since the 1950s.” The council includes
several organizations, including the Marine Corps
League, Vietnam Veterans of America, the VFW, and
Disabled American Veterans. |
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Members of the Iowa Telecommunications Association were
at the Capitol on February 21, including Kalona
Cooperative Telephone's Anthony Wild and Gary Davis. We
had a chance to talk about the many services Iowa’s
telecommunications professionals provide, such as phone
service, digital cable television, high-speed internet
and cellular service. |
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Iowans who lost their homes in last year’s floods
visited the Iowa Statehouse on January 20 to ask that
housing assistance be the top priority of a disaster
relief package that the Legislature is considering as
part of its Rebuild Iowa efforts. I met with Jim Davis
of Charles City and told him I agree that a “homes
first” approach to flood relief is the right thing to
do. |
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Shortly after President Barack Obama's inauguration on
January 20, we hung his portrait in the Senate Chamber.
Among those who headed to Washington, D.C., for the
inaugural festivities were members of the Iowa National
Guard. In fact, of the 7,000 Guard members
activated nationwide for inauguration duty, 1,000 were
from Iowa. They assisted with security, transportation,
traffic control and other activities. Thank you to
our men and women in uniform for always answering the
call of duty. |
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Major
General Ron Dardis spoke January 14 at the first meeting
of the Senate Rebuild Iowa Committee. Dardis chairs the
Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission and is retiring as the
adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard. I
thanked the General for his work and that of the Iowa
National Guard during last year’s devastating floods and
tornadoes. The Senate is working towards approval
of Governor Culver’s request for additional disaster
assistance to Iowa communities and families. |
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Janelle Retting of Iowa City
advocated for the environment January 14 at the Iowa
Statehouse. Retting, a member of the Iowa Natural
Resources Commission, met with me and Senator Joe
Bolkcom to talk about ways the 2009 session could
improve the quality of Iowa’s rivers and natural areas. |
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On November 12, I joined local citizens and leaders from
around the state for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the
new Fairfield by-pass. The by-pass offers many
transportation advantages to the people of southeast
Iowa, as well as an efficient route for travelers.
transportation advantages to the people of southeast
Iowa, as well as an efficient route for travelers.
Pictured, from left: Executive Director of the
Fairfield Arts & Visitors Bureau Rustin Lippincott, Iowa
DOT Director Nancy Richardson, Governor Chet Culver,
Mayor Ed Malloy, Congressman Dave Loebsack, State
Sen. Gene Fraise of Fort Madison, I, and Congressman
Leonard Boswell. |
