Columns

Let’s talk about masks. As the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, with accelerating case counts around the U.S. and the death toll rising above 128,000 in this country, it seems unthinkable that the request of citizens to wear masks when out in public elicits such strong negative responses among a disturbingly-large segment of the population...

The U.S. economy has begun to reopen, but don't expect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to lessen, economists warn. The uncertainty could mean more Americans have trouble paying their mortgages.  Fortunately, homeowners have several options during this time.  ...

As we look back at Independence Day, let's remember why we celebrate and defend our blessings of freedom, liberty and justice for all. In these uncertain times, America's promise is more important than ever. There's a saying among the faithful that God won't give us more than we can handle. Arguably, 2020 is putting this message to the test...

As we prepare to enjoy Fourth of July week and upcoming celebrations in our beautiful Iowa Great Lakes region, we wish to remind you that Independence Day is founded on sacrifices, which includes a history of Americans giving up personal comforts to enhance wellbeing for all...

The bill signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds on June 4, brought to the forefront a problem for the majority of the residents of Dickinson County. The new law required all members of county-appointed commissions to reside in rural (unincorporated) areas of the county. This action meant four commissioners (three on Planning and Zoning and one on the Board of Adjustment) were dismissed by noon the following day...

Iowa is one of the most heavily licensed states in the country. Nearly one out of every three workers in Iowa is required to maintain a license to work in their profession, while the national average is one out of every four workers. Licensing in many areas of the economy has a proper role. ...

Recently, there has been a lot of misinformation about two bills that the Iowa House passed this year on election law. The two bills are somehow, either purposefully or mistakenly, a part of a misinformation campaign where people are informed that Republicans passed bills that are voter suppression or eliminates absentee voting. ...

The legislature adjourned for the year on Sunday, June 14.  This year’s session was definitely different than previous years. While we didn't get to all the legislation we wanted, we were still able to accomplish a lot in the time we did have. Before we paused the session in March, the Senate passed legislation to lower barriers to some professions, and bring unemployed people back into our workforce and encourage them to build careers for themselves. ...

On Sunday, June 14, we concluded the 2020 legislative session. This session was unlike any we have experienced before. The session was suspended, abbreviated and hyphenated. My friend and colleage, Representative Jon Throup really summarized this session well: ...

On Friday, June 19, the nation honored an event that occurred 155 years ago. It is an event that has never received the nationwide attention that it deserves. But it is a day that all freedom-loving people in the United States should celebrate. And it is a day that I successfully worked to gain recognition for in Iowa as far back as 2002...

On Thursday, June 10, the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate made history by introducing a bill in both chambers, moving it through subcommittee and committee, then to the floor of both chambers, and passing it unanimously and sending it to the governor for signature. This bill, named "Justice Reform" by us but misnamed "Police Misconduct Reform" by newspapers was historic for several reasons and was much needed...

Earlier this week we released a budget plan for Fiscal Year 2021. We have to be careful about budgeting, now more than ever, because we have yet to see an end to the impacts of COVID-19. While the COVID pandemic has impacted the budget, I am optimistic that Iowa is in better shape than many states. ...

The Senate continued to debate a number of bills this week as we worked toward adjournment for the year. One of the bills we passed would expand the Empower Rural Iowa program and help increase access to broadband in areas of Iowa where it is still lacking. ...

  Iowans are amazing. The level of civic engagement among our citizens is unrivaled. We proved that once again when voters turned out in record numbers to cast their ballots in the June primary election. Despite an ongoing pandemic and civil unrest across the state, Iowans were determined to make their voices heard the best way possible: by voting...

The legislative session re-started this week, continuing the work from a couple months ago and with a few new challenges ahead. This session looks much different than it did when we paused. Now, committee meetings are held in the Senate chamber instead of committee rooms to allow for social distancing, and speakers on subcommittee bills will give comments from the Senate gallery instead of usually coming to the meeting tables. ...

This week marked the legislature's first week back in Des Moines since the session suspension due to COVID-19 concerns on March 17. While even though we have not been physically in the Capitol building, I have still had the opportunity to hear from many of you with questions and concerns as we push through this difficult time...

    A: The USDA will accept applications through Aug. 28, 2020, from farmers for pandemic-related financial assistance. The direct payments will help keep hard-hit farming operations afloat due to catastrophic disruptions in the marketing and distribution systems of the nation's food supply chain...

I wish I could still be mad at Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49er who took a knee during national anthems in 2016 and couldn't find a roster spot anywhere in 2017. I wanted the quarterback to find another form of peaceful protest to convey the messages of social injustice and police misconduct...

I have faith in humans and in Iowans in general because we tend to do the right thing, even in the face of adversity. This is called grit and in my mind and my 25 years of military service, grit can get you through so much in life. I chose to veer away from politics for my newsletter today, even though in less than a week the Legislature will be in full swing again, finishing up our business for the year...

Iowa continues to ease business restrictions over the next few weeks. Starting May 28, bars, wineries, breweries, and distilleries were able to reopen.  On June 1, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement parks, skating rinks, outdoor performance venues, and outdoor playgrounds were also able to reopen. ...

Since the community spread of COVID-19 officially hit Iowa in mid-March, we saw Iowans respond. Many Iowans started or expanded their reliance on internet connectivity for learning, working and socializing. This magnified, nearly overnight, the importance of a quality internet connection...

  While this pandemic has challenged all Iowans, as our state begins to take the first steps toward safely reopening, I'm continuing to push for support for our families in every stage of life — from new parents to our seniors. After local businesses needed to close down to adhere to social distancing and public health measures in order to keep folks safe, tragically so many Iowans, including parents, have been facing layoffs and pay cuts. At the same time, reports show increased diaper shortages right here in Iowa. ...

I'm familiar with a regional lawmaker who recently concluded an update to constituents with the following: "The media and many others continue to criticize the governor and the response taken by the state of Iowa," the update said. "The facts tell a story that Iowa is on the way to recovery."...

Folks, I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed that there are still people out there who are shocked and sometimes offended when asked to pay for their local news. Hopefully that sentiment is the exception rather than the rule in our community – in fact we've seen an increase in subscriptions, and we've actually received a handful of donations, so thank you — but somehow the problem persists. ...

Maintenance continues on several segments of the trail system in Okoboji, Spirit Lake and Orleans. In mid-May, new asphalt overlays were completed on the Nature Center Trail and the Spine Trail by Kiwanis Park. The asphalt crew will return at the beginning of June to continue paving the Spine Trail from 15th Street to Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake and along the east side of Big Spirit Lake in Orleans. ...

If you watch the news or look at social media each day, it can get pretty daunting. It can be a heavy weight. While some choose to focus on the negative impacts of COVID-19, many of the positive trends are largely being ignored. When looking at the unprecedented amount of data and information that the state is providing to Iowans, it is important to remember to not to look at one single day to measure the impact that COVID-19 has had. ...

Additional reopenings throughout the state began last week continue this week after a new proclamation from Gov. Reynolds. Starting May 22, movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, and museums were allowed to reopen, as long as they can accommodate reasonable public health measures. Pools will only be allowed to reopen for lap swimming and swimming lessons...

When it comes to treatments and lifesaving cures, the U.S. healthcare system is second to none. This is why, when a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, or a parent is told her child has diabetes, we can bear such unsettling news with a sense of hope...

You don't see cigarette burns on the floors of newsrooms anymore. Supposedly, the people who work in them will live longer. But whether the papers they toil over will live is in much more doubt. "You can pay me now," said the man on the 1970 television commercial for Fram oil filters, "or you can pay him later," pointing to the mechanic rebuilding an engine...

Let’s not lose focus now. Over the last few months, we were told by officials that we needed to flatten the curve so as to not overwhelm the hospitals and to ensure there would be enough PPE, ventilators and other resources available because when the hospitals are overwhelmed, that is when massive death could happen. ...

The governor signed a new proclamation to allow salons, barbershops and massage and tattoo establishments to partially reopen throughout the whole state starting on Friday, May 15. Restaurants, fitness centers, libraries, campgrounds and race tracks can also open in those counties that had previously been closed. ...

There are a lot of updates this week, so let's just get right to it:  At the Monday May 11 press conference, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that she would be following a "modified quarantine" after a member of Vice President Pence's staff tested for COVID-19. The Governor traveled to Washington DC to meet with President Trump and participated in some events with Vice President Pence in Iowa...

At the invitation of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, I went to Worthington, Minnesota, to participate in a press conference to focus attention on the current crisis in the pork industry that has been caused by the temporary closure of processing plants in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. ...

It's a distinction we try to make as often as possible in the current COVID-climate, and it's also an important one — confirmed cases vs. recovered cases. Here in Dickinson County, all six of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been listed as recovered by the state as of May 6. That means, as the bustling summer season in the Iowa Great Lakes draws ever nearer, we're back to zero official cases here...

It was announced that Iowa will receive over $71 million in federal aid to help PK-12 schools mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The amount is Iowa's share of the more than $13.2 billion emergency relief provided in the elementary and secondary school emergency relief fund within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act...

Almost two months ago, the governor issued the first emergency proclamation limiting social gatherings and closing facilities such as restaurants, gyms, and casinos. Schools were closed for the remainder of the school year, and workplaces were encouraged to have their employees work from home when possible. ...

  Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that additional funding was allocated for the Iowa Small Business Relief Grant program through the CARES Act. Additional grant notifications went out recently and will continue daily until all funds are exhausted. Iowa Economic Development Authority is working through the current applicant pool and businesses with the greatest loss in revenue will be given priority. ...

This past week, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced her plans to begin the process of reopening Iowa’s economy in a responsible and phased-in approach. Beginning on May 1, previously closed businesses including restaurants, fitness centers, enclosed malls, libraries, and other retail establishments will be allowed to reopen. ...

This week the governor announced some restrictions would be lifted for 77 counties in Iowa experiencing little to no COVID-19 activity. Starting May 1, restaurants, fitness centers, malls, libraries, race tracks, and some retail establishments were allowed to reopen at half normal operating capacity, if they can still follow public health measures...

Ever since the COVID-19 outbreak first made its way to Iowa, our families, small businesses and communities have been impacted in ways they have never been. In this era of social distancing and uncertainty, many have lost their jobs, and businesses have had to shut their doors (some have done so for good)...

This week the governor announced a new website to give Iowans better access to testing, and give public health officials a better idea of how Iowa is progressing through the pandemic. It helps the governor make decisions on the activities safe to reopen and areas or activities needing to remain closed for a little longer. ...

As we continue on through this uncertain time with COVID-19, I receive a lot of questions. I am always happy to help sort through those issues on a case-by-case basis, but thought it might be helpful to include an update with the most frequently asked questions. ...

Iowans all across this state are going through a similar range of emotions together. COVID-19 haunts our communities like a dangerous ghost. The uncertainty of how we get through can feel daunting at time. But personally, every time I think how badly I want to sit down with friends for a game, or meet someone for a meal, or go to a small town festival or high school performance, I remind myself my personal desires are small. ...

There's an awful lot of focus on reopening the economy these days. I suppose it only makes sense we landed on the term "reopen" during a time we're asked to stay inside as much as possible but, like the proverbial dog chasing a car, we need to ask ourselves what we will do when the moment arrives...

As we all work to adjust during this difficult time, Iowans all across the state have been stepping up to help their neighbors and communities. Stories of people making homemade face masks for their friends, families, neighbors, or donating them to local hospitals are told daily. We have also seen local restaurants contribute food to health care providers, and Iowans purposefully supporting these local restaurants with takeout orders in an effort to keep those places in business...

"He who gives up his liberty for safety gets none of them." — Thomas Jefferson Wow, let's reflect on that for a bit because it is very relevant today. To keep our citizens safe as we fight this COVID-19 crisis, it has been at the expense of many of our liberties and freedoms. While I do have concerns, I supportive of the efforts our governor and president have taken to protect our state and country and believe they acted in the best interests of the citizens they are sworn to protect...

As we continue on through this uncertain time with COVID-19, I receive a lot of questions. I am always happy to help sort through those issues on a case-by-case basis, but thought it might be helpful to include an update with the most frequently asked questions...

  Each of us must be responsible for our own health and accountable for the impacts we have on each other. We can’t rely on government to make each decision for us. Personal responsibility has been fading from our national psyche for more than a generation, but perhaps this COVID-19 menace will show us the way back to our American roots...

As we continue on through this uncertain time with COVID-19, I receive a lot of questions. I am always happy to help sort through those issues on a case-by-case basis, but thought it might be helpful to include an update with the most frequently asked questions...

I have heard so many negative comments in the last few weeks it makes my head spin. The comments range from how bad the president is, the governor is, and even the state and local elected officials are. Almost no one is exempt from the criticism. While I have broad shoulders and can most assuredly handle my fair share of negative, I must say that it all might be displaced. I have also heard good comments, to be fair but I would like to address the negative and hopefully turn them to a positive...