Photos

	On April 22, Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 2420, which will help make up a $200-million-a-year shortfall in Iowa’s transportation budget. Estimates show that the legislation will generate about $125 million by 2012, in part by changing the way pickup fees are assessed. This is a first step to developing a stable, fair and long-term way of maintaining the safe roads and bridges that support Iowa’s growing economy.
	Senator McCoy and his son, Jack, participated in the annual run/walk fundraiser for AIDS. More than $30,000 was raised through the run.
	April 16 was the most beautiful day of the year so far. Senate pages celebrated the long-awaited arrival of spring with a spin in Sen. McCoy's lemon-yellow convertible Mustang.
	Sen. Matt McCoy looks on as Lt. Gov. Patty Judge discusses the Smoke-free Air Act in a Statehouse ceremony April 15. Gov. Chet Culver signed the bill into law, creating a statewide ban on smoking in most workplaces, public places and certain outdoor areas.
	On April 14, the Iowa Senate honored the talented young men and women who make up the 2007-2008 Drake University men's and women's basketball teams. Congratulations to the athletes and coaches, Keno Davis and Amy Stephens, on an incredible season. Their efforts have elevated the Bulldogs to rank among the best teams in the nation.
	During the event in the Senate Chamber, Sen. Matt McCoy had the chance to talk with Coach Stephens and Drake President, Dr. David Maxwell.
	On April 7, we passed Senate Resolution 134 honoring Roxanne Conlin for more than four decades of service as an activist, community leader, and attorney advocate for the people. Roxanne's life and career have been dedicated to public service and hard work, making her a positive role model to all young people of Iowa. Congratulations Roxanne... and thank you!
	Sen. Matt McCoy enjoys cookies on his birthday with constituent Sherry Hutchinson, a League of Women Voters member, who was at the Statehouse on March 27.
	State Senator Matt McCoy looks over some documents with Nathan Leys on the Senate floor. Leys, a seventh-grader at Central Academy in Des Moines, spent March 19 at the Statehouse with McCoy to experience a day in the life of a legislator.
	The Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa were at the Capitol on on March 18 to learn about the legislative process. Sen. Matt McCoy talked with a troop from Des Moines while they enjoyed lunch in the Statehouse dining area.
	On March 18, children from Boys & Girls Club in Des Moines spent the day at the Capitol, where they had the chance to visit with their state senator, Matt McCoy. (Photo Credit: Senate Intern Christjahn Beck)
	Sen. Matt McCoy met with Sam Carrell and Bryce Shabazz at the Statehouse on March 18. Carrell is the executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa, and Shabazz is a Des Moines East High School student and an active club member. From left: Carrell, Shabazz and McCoy.
	Senator Matt McCoy and other legislators watch debate on the Senate floor Feb. 27 when a statewide ban on smoking in public places passed on a bipartisan 29-21 vote.
	On Feb. 23, Senators Matt McCoy and Jack Hatch hosted a roundtable discussion with constituents on healthcare concerns. About 40 central Iowans met with the legislators to talk about a proposal to insure every child in the state. Hatch, co-chair of the Legislative Commission on Affordable Health Care, fielded questions about costs and the potential to move toward universal health care.
	On Feb. 9 I met with constituents at a neighborhood forum held at Central Presbyterian Church. Well-informed Des Moines residents Steve Miller, Teresa Bomhoff and Jim Pemble talked with me about mental health care for all Iowans-- including those in our Corrections institutions, the importance of providing health care coverage for every Iowa child, and the recent increase in state funding for our local students. My next forum will focus on health care topics and will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 10 a.m. at the Mickle Center, 1620 Pleasant Street, Des Moines. My special guests will be Sen. Jack Hatch, chair of the Commission on Affordable Health Care, and Sen. Staci Appel, an advocate for children's health and nutrition.
	Senator Matt McCoy during the school funding debate in the Senate Chamber on Feb. 7. Passage of the bill means Des Moines schools will see a $4.7 million increase in state funding for the 2009-2010 school year.
	The invocation at the Iowa Senate on Feb. 7 was offered by Reverend Dave Ruhe of Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines. Ruhe, Senior Minister at Plymouth, was invited to give the morning prayer by Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines.
	Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines met with Shannon Cofield, director of the United Way of Central Iowa, at the Statehouse on January 30th. Members of the United Way of Iowa were on hand to thank the Legislature and Governor Culver for supporting last year’s “2-1-1” initiative. 2-1-1 is a free 24-hour referral helpline that allows callers to speak with trained professionals about a variety of health and human services. The 2-1-1 service is available in all of Iowa’s 99 counties and receives more than 20,000 calls a month. Iowans can also access information by going to www.211iowa.org. The support that 2-1-1 received from the Legislature last year is enabling the United Way to better serve Iowans by developing a single database of organizations and services. The program is nationally recognized for its effectiveness during disasters and crisis recovery efforts.
	Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines talks with constituents at a neighborhood forum at the South Side Branch of the Des Moines Public Library on Jan. 26. Pictured from left: Robert Best, McCoy, and Jerry Bradley. Photo courtesy of KCCI.
	Governor Chet Culver met with legislative leaders on transportation and infrastructure issues January 23. The Department of Transportation estimates that an additional $200 million a year in new investment is needed to maintain Iowa's roads and bridges. Pictured from left: Culver; Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines, chair of the Senate Transportation & Infrastructure Budget, and Senator Jeff Danielson of Waterloo, vice-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.
	Members of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women were at the Statehouse Jan. 22. Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines talked with ICSW Division Administrator Rachel Scott about gender balance on boards and commissions and opportunities for women as the need for skilled workers grows in Iowa. (photo credit: Christjahn Beck)
	State Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines prepares to escort Governor Chet Culver to the Iowa House Chamber, where the Governor delivered his 2008 Condition of the State address January 15. McCoy said the Governor outlined a bold agenda to improve the quality of life for all Iowans by building on last year’s successes in education, health care and jobs. Pictured, from left: Culver, Representative Dawn Pettengill of Mount Auburn, and McCoy.
	The newly created Generation Iowa Commission held its first meeting at the Capitol on Aug. 30. Members discussed ways to keep our young adults here in Iowa and attract new young people to our state. Gov. Chet Culver was on hand for the meeting, as were Sen. Matt McCoy of Des Moines and Rep. Elisha Gayman of Davenport, who were appointed by legislative leaders to serve as ex-officio members of the Commission.