Photos

	I was recently invited to ride aboard two vintage passenger coaches owned by the Iowa Interstate Railroad on their tracks from Iowa City to Moline, Illinois. The Legislature had requested a feasibility study from Amtrak for the Quad Cities - Iowa City passenger route, and subsequently asked for the feasibility of extending it to Des Moines. With a $3-million passenger rail appropriation passed by the Legislature, and new federal stimulus dollars, passenger rail routes in Iowa are looking more promising. Pictured aboard the "Abraham Lincoln" en route from Iowa City to Rock Island and Moline, area Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, Iowa City Mayor Regenia Bailey, David Leshtz from Congressman David Loebsack's office, and Senator Bob Dvorsky of Coralville.
	VIDEO: Iowa State Senator and Progressive States Network board member Joe Bolkcom shares his experience pushing for progressive initiatives on wage standards, election reform, anti-war resolutions, and integrative immigration policy, as well as a the promise of state legislators using their growing ranks to form a national coalition for change. See it at http://vimeo.com/4404572.
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 was Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek (pictured). 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.
	The 5th and 6th grade students from Longfellow Elementary School in Iowa City visited with me at the Statehouse on Thursday afternoon. They met with legislators, took a tour of the building and received an inside look at Iowa government.
	Here are my comments during the debate on Senate File 389, legislation that continues Iowa's national leadership on health care reform. It extends health insurance to 30,000 additional Iowa children and makes other health care reforms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpDO_m1E0hI
	The UI Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research hosted a legislative breakfast reception at the Statehouse on Tuesday. CGRER members, Lou Licht, Gene Parkin, Craig Just, Larry Weber, Jeremie Moen, Charlie Stanier and CGRER co-director Jerry Schnoor and me.
	I talked recently at the Iowa Statehouse with leaders of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The organization is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a member-supported, nonprofit group. During that time, it has helped protect more than 100,000 acres of Iowa's prairies, wetlands, woodlands, greenways, trails and river corridors. From left to right: Staff member Lisa Hein and President Mark Ackelson.
	Students from the University of Iowa were at the Statehouse on Wednesday to discuss their concerns about public university funding and tuition increases. They had a moment to visit the Senate chamber. L to R: Molly McAndrew, Cassie Creasy, me, Dylan Frana, Racheal Nathanson and Whitney Carson.
	On March 19, the Senate approved the biggest health reform bill of the session and lots and lots of other bills. State Senator Steve Warnstadt of Sioux City and I still had a lot of issues to sort out. Steve chairs the Senate Commerce Committee. He's a great person to work with. He introduced the local food systems bill. That's Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque in the back on the right. It was red apparel day in the Senate in celebration of my patron saint, St. Joseph’s Day. This photo was taken by former Iowa Citian Rusty Martin when the Senate adjourned for the day at around 8 p.m..
	The Iowa chapter of the American Association of Retired People was at the Statehouse on March 11 to advocate for a variety of issues affecting Iowa's seniors, such as healthcare and financial security. I talked with AARP representatives from the Iowa City area about what the Legislature can do to help advance their causes.
	My good friend Rev. Bob Welsh of Iowa City was at the Statehouse on Wednesday with the American Association of Retired Persons. I had the opportunity to meet with him in the State Law Library to discuss a variety of issues of concern for Iowa's seniors.
	Representatives of the Iowa Catholic Conference met with legislators on March 5 at the Statehouse. I talked with with Bishop Martin Amos from the Diocese of Davenport.
	On March 3, I talked with Les Homeister at the Institute for Physical Research and Technology legislative breakfast. Homeister works for Seabee, a Ligon Company in Hampton.
	Director of Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety & Health Kelley Donham and Eileen Fisher, of University of Iowa, talked with me about their concerns at the Statehouse on February 18.
	I had a chance to talk to Dr. William Scott and Lori Short, two individuals deeply devoted to improving the health of Iowans, when the Iowa Ophthalmologist's Association visited the Capitol.
	Chris Garrett (right) of Cedar Rapids and Jessica Phillips of North Liberty, both volunteers with the March of Dimes, were at the Statehouse to ask for continued support for their positive work for Iowa families.
	I had the opportunity to meet with doctors from Blank Children's Hospital in the Statehouse rotunda on February 17. Pictured, from left: Mary Ann Abrams of Johnston, I, Rizwan Shah of West Des Moines, and George Phillips of Coralville.
	I had the privilege of meeting with some ambitious teens from City High School in Iowa City on February 16. Students from Teens Against Alcohol and Drugs and Students Against Drunk Driving visited the Capitol to discuss the importance of educating their fellow students about the dangers of underage drinking.
	I met with Brian McClatchey of the University of Iowa Cambus, Vicky Robrock of Coralville Transit, Barb Morck and Mark Rummel of Iowa City Transit who are both from Iowa City on February 12 at the Capitol. They were there to represent the Iowa Public Transit Association at their annual legislative breakfast.
	I met with Mike Townsend and Jeff Nock both from Iowa City on February 10. They were at the Capitol with the Iowa City Goodwill to talk to legislators about what Goodwill can do for the community and what programs it has to offer.
	Three community college students visited the State Capitol on Wednesday to thank lawmakers who supported Iowa’s wind energy expansion efforts. The trio talked with State Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, encouraging him to continue supporting 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.
	On January 22, I met with a variety of people from the Iowa Coalition on Mental Health and Aging. At top: June Judge from Iowa City Middle: Brian Kaskie from the University of Iowa College on Public Health Bottom: Janet Specht, Judy Parks and Ann Bossen


	I met with Janelle Rettig of Iowa City and Mark Wyatt of North Liberty at the Capitol on January 22. They were at the Statehouse with the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.
	University of Iowa Provost Wallace Loh met with me at the Statehouse on Thursday for the Board of Regents breakfast.
	I met with Al Axeen at the Statehouse Thursday morning. Axeen is the coordinator for the Iowa Council on Homelessness and was at the Capitol to raise awareness and educate legislators.
	On January 14, I talked with Dr. Christopher Squier of the University of Iowa about the rapid drop in the number of Iowans who smoke. Squier was at the Statehouse with the Iowa chapter of the American Cancer Society. A recent report found that smoking in Iowa has dropped by 22 percent since 2006, one of the biggest drops recorded in any state. Iowans who want to quit smoking can get help by calling 800-QUIT-NOW.
	Janelle Rettig of Iowa City was at the Statehouse on January 14 to advocate for environmental issues. Rettig, a member of the Iowa Natural Resources Commission, talked with State Senator Becky Schmitz and I about ways the 2009 session could improve the quality of Iowa’s rivers and natural areas.

Legislature working on smarter, tougher, safer laws