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Iowa’s nurses are an essential part of our health
care system. Experts say there are good reasons to be concerned
about a shortage of nurses in our rural communities.
On September 1, I visited the outstanding nursing
program at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg to learn
more about what Iowa is doing to increase the number of nurses
while providing Iowans with good job opportunities. I talked
with nursing students and faculty about their desire to work in
a field where they really make a difference in the health of
Iowans. Among the nursing students I met at ILCC was constituent
Brittney Sobolik of Cresco (bottom).
At the state level, we are encouraging more
Iowans to go into nursing by improving and expanding student
loan forgiveness programs. You can learn more about state,
federal and private loan forgiveness programs for nurses at
www.iowacollegeaid.gov/commissioncentral/
loanforgiveness/nursing.html. |
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The Winneshiek County Fair ran July 7-11 in
Decorah. In spite of some rain, everybody had a great time.
While at the fair, I had a chance to visit with Lt. Gov. Patty
Judge and lots of local friends. Check out photos from the fair
and see what other events are coming to the fairgrounds at
www.winneshiekcountyfair.com. |
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On June 10, I was one of the judges at
Fredericksburg Dairy Days. I got to judge the parade floats,
Chickasaw County Dairy Princess and Little Miss Squirt.
Pictured, from left: parade announcer Hugh McIntosh, I and Dairy
Day Board member Norma Leach. |
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I was one of the judges at the Howard County
Fair's barbeque-tasting contest. It was great... the food was
wonderful! |
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I'm pictured here with two of the barbeque
contestants: Paul Bronner (left) and Jim Holstrom, the overall
winner. |
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I and several of my colleagues in the Iowa Legislature took
questions from constituents at a recent meeting in Luana. The
event was hosted by the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning
Commission, which includes the five Northeast Iowa counties of
Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek. The
discussion focused on stimulus money, how it can be accessed and
used in our area. |
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I talked with fourth-, fifth- and
sixth-grade students at South Winneshiek Schools in Ossian.
They're planning to visit the Statehouse in Des Moines on May
22, so I told them a little about what they might see. They are
a fun group of kids, who asked lots of questions about the
duties of a state senator, how much amount money I make and why
I ran for office. |
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I recently met with local leaders throughout our
Senate District to discuss how local and state government can
become better partners in working for the future of Iowa. I work
for you in the Iowa Senate, and I appreciate the time each and
every one of you take to share your ideas and concerns with me.
During my visit to Decorah, we talked about the
possibility of a gas tax to pay for road improvements, funding
for our schools, and improving transparency and accountability
in government. |
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The folks in Cresco were interested in the
availability of stimulus money, improving transportation in
Howard County, and the potential impact of funding cuts to
Public Health. |
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In New Hampton, we also discussed Public Health
and the need for road improvements, as well as health care
benefits for our veterans. |
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Transportation for our rural school was a primary
issue of discussion in Waukon, as was the work of the Department
of Natural Resources. |
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I met with the Winneshiek County Supervisors on
May 11 to recap the 2009 session and talk about local issues.
Pictured with me, from left: Supervisors John Logsdon, Les
Askelson, Dean Darling, Bill Ibanez and Steve Bouska.
I'll continue visiting with local elected officials throughout
the district this week to discuss how local and state government
can become better partners in working for northeast Iowans.
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State Senators Amanda Ragan of Mason City, Mary
Jo Wilhelm of Cresco and Pam Jochum of Dubuque listen to debate
early on the morning of April 25 before casting a vote at 3 a.m.
The Iowa House and Senate worked long days and made tough
choices to balance the state budget without raising taxes during
a national economic recession. Legislators ended the 2009
session by approving a major bonding bill that will help restart
the Iowa economy, recover from last year’s natural disasters,
and keep commitments to health care and increasing
Iowa-grown renewable energy. |
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Representatives of the Northeast Iowa Community
Action Corporation were at the
Capitol April 13 to talk with legislators about their mission to
help meet the primary needs of people and create opportunities
for basic self-sufficiency through community partnership,
education and the provision of services. NEICAC provided 17,536
services to 13,202 persons and 5,436 households from October 1,
2007 through September 30, 2008. Left to right: Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm
of Cresco, Lisa Matthews, Billie Rael,
Lisa Lausier, Senator Brian Schoenjahn of Arlington. |
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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 civil penalty for a 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. |
Northeast Iowa families who donated land to the
State were honored by the Governor and Legislature Monday at the
Iowa Statehouse. The “Gift to Iowa’s Future Day” ceremony
recognizes those who have “donated land or a conservation
easement to benefit Iowa’s parks, trails, fish and wildlife
habitat, natural areas, open spaces, and public recreation areas
and for other public uses and benefits” during the last year.
Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg
thanked the donors on behalf of the State of Iowa and presented
them with special certificates. Later in the day, they were
introduced to the Iowa House and Senate.
The generosity of these donors will live on
for generations. They are helping keep our state beautiful and
creating community assets that will endure and grow in value.
Patrick J. and Karran J. Ryan of Decorah
donated 359 acres for a conservation easement on their Allamakee
County land to the Iowa DNR. It is part of the Northeast Upper
Bluffs Legacy Area.
Lee and Andrea Venteicher of Waukon donated
128 acres for a conservation easement on their Allamakee County
property to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The easement
preserves the land’s unique geological features (caves,
sinkholes, and steep limestone outcroppings), along with
wildlife, public water quality and the scenic beauty of
northeast Iowa’s bluffs. The woodlands, oak savanna and
grasslands overlooking the Yellow River Valley have the
potential to become high-quality natural areas. The Venteichers
are controlling invasive species, removing damaged trees, and
planning savanna and native prairie restoration. More
information is at
www.inhf.org/venteicher-easement09-news.htm.
In 2008, the Iowa Legislature made donating or
making a conservation easement much more affordable and doable
in Iowa. The “Iowa Tax Credit for Charitable Contributions of
Conservation Lands” offers significant tax savings. Donors can
receive a tax credit of up to 50 percent of the fair market
value, with a maximum tax credit of $100,000 per donation. The
Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation helps landowners consider their
options and make generous donations possible. More information
is available at
www.inhf.org/landowner. |
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April 1 was Advocating Change Day at the
Statehouse. Iowans with disabilities and their families spent
the day at the Capitol talking with their state legislators and
other elected officials.
I met with a group from Waukon to discuss what the Legislature
can do to help Iowans with disabilities.
L to R: Senator Wilhelm, Richard Wicks, Janette Ryder, Jenna
Wild and Lauren Usher. |
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Representatives of the Iowa Soybean Association
were at the Capitol March 31. I had a chance to talk with Cindi Grower of
Elma. |
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Tom and Sue Barnes of Cresco and other
representatives from the Association of Iowa Fairs were at the
Statehouse on March 18 to talk with legislators about their
efforts to preserve and strengthen the fair industry in our
state. Each year, more than 3.5 million people attend Iowa’s
fairs and festivals to have fun and experience the traditions
and diverse culture that makes Iowa a great place to live. Learn
more at www.iowafairs.com.
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Groups from across the state of Iowa were at the
Capitol for the Resource Enhancement And Protection Day on the
Hill to advocate for legislators to continue to fund the REAP
program. REAP is an Iowa program that invests in the enhancement
and protection of the state's natural and cultural resources.
I met with Craig Sweet, president of the Iowa Trappers
Association, who advocated for continued funding of REAP programs. |
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I met with Doug Johnson, president and CEO of Lutheran Services
in Iowa,
on
March 12. His organization provides social services to Iowans
across the state, including disability services, residential
treatment and home healthcare. |
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Representative Brian Quirk and I met with the New Hampton State
Basketball Team at the Statehouse on Wednesday afternoon. They
were here for the Iowa High School Boys Basketball Tournament. |
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I recently visited Kee-Land Preschool in Lansing.
They have a great program and I had a great time with the kids.
We did the Pledge of Allegiance, sang and danced, and checked
out their Abraham Lincoln crafts. |
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On March 7, Representative Brian Quirk and I held
listening posts in several local communities. Our first stop was
at the Farm Bureau in New Hampton, Rep. Quirk's hometown. |
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In my hometown of Cresco, Rep. Quirk and I hosted
a forum with constituents at the public library. |
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Rep. Quirk and I enjoyed a cup of coffee while we
discussed legislative issues with Ridgeway residents at the
Fireman's Inn & Tavern. |
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On March 5, Representative John Beard and I met with
representative of the Iowa Catholic Conference when they visited
the Capitol. We're pictured here with Mary Klauke
and Archbishop Jerome Hanus of the Archdiocese of
Dubuque. |
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Jeff Mikkelsen of Decorah was at the Statehouse
on March 5 with Iowa
Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The IVRS mission is to work
for and with individuals with disabilities to achieve their
goals for employment, independence and success. |
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Representatives from the Institute for Physical Research & Technology
were at the Capitol on March 3. I met with the
Legislative Liaison for Iowa State University, Andy Baumert, to
discuss how to best use technology in secondary education.
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I
had to opportunity to have lunch with two caring citizens from
Nashua. They talked with me about the importance of HIV and
Hepatitis awareness in Iowa. Their organization, Community
HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network, helps to spread
awareness in the state. Pictured, from left: Tami Haught, Adrian
Haught and I. |
