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A colorful maple tree in my yard this week (10-23-09).
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.

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 Iowa College Aid's website.

 

My garden, August 2009.
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.

Watch the video on YouTube
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.