Columns

I've been with the Dickinson County News since the start of 2010. There's never been a week when we've left out the opinion page. Sometimes, when we get a bumper crop of commentary, we'll even add a second page. That's not a wrinkle I brought to the table, by the way. I'm sure the uninterrupted string of opinion pages goes back much farther than my arrival...

The crisp autumn air brings a lot of memories with it, many of them pleasant. The wind carries the scent of homecoming football games, comfortable sweaters and, for some, the seasonal resurrection of pumpkin spice. I share in most of those, but I've been mentally blindsided by a more somber memory the last few years. ...

Recently, the Register’s editorial board published "Republicans push health plans that undermine mental health progress," where the Des Moines Register once again showed how out of touch it is with everyday Iowans – Iowa farmers, small business owners and their employees — who need affordable health care options...

This spring, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order to create a Children's System State Board. This children's board will serve as the single point of responsibility in the development and implementation of a Children's Mental Health System in Iowa. Recently, the children's board held its first meeting, and the work of this board can be followed through the fall at the DHS website...

All 2001 and newer vehicles can again legally use E15 this fall. This change will help consumers save money and give them additional choices at the gas pump. E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, has been approved to be safely used in all vehicles that are 2001 and newer. Unfortunately, a regulatory barrier from EPA has unnecessarily restricted the sale of E15 between June 1 and Sept. 15 to flex-fuel vehicles...

The American people have now had a chance to hear directly from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in what might be the longest nomination hearing in Supreme Court history. For more than 32 hours, Kavanaugh has sat before the TV lights of the Senate Judiciary Committee, fielding questions from our 21-member panel...

There were shouts, there were pleas and there was Sen. Chuck Grassley reservedly tapping his gavel in an attempt to maintain order. I'm talking, of course, about the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. There's apparently millions of documents to potentially review. ...

The American people have now had a chance to hear directly from Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in what might be the longest nomination hearing in Supreme Court history.   For more than 32 hours, Kavanaugh has sat before the TV lights of the Senate Judiciary Committee, fielding questions from our 21-member panel...

  Protecting the integrity of Iowa's elections is the number one priority for my office. We work every day to ensure clean and fair elections across the state of Iowa and to protect the system from those who would like to undermine it. We are also dedicated to encouraging every eligible Iowan to register to vote and participate in our elections...

Recently, federal rules were finalized which further expand access to health insurance plans. People would be allowed to buy short-term, limited-duration health coverage that lasts up to 12 months and renew that coverage for a maximum of 36 months. Previously, these plans had only been available for less than three months and were not renewable...

This spring, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed her second executive order to create a Children's System State Board. This children’s board will serve as the single point of responsibility in the development and implementation of a children's mental health system in Iowa. Recently, the children's board held its first meeting, and the work of this board can be followed through the fall at Iowa Department of Human Services website...

On Tuesday, Sept. 4, I gaveled in the beginning of a days-long hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee to consider the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. It will be my 15th Supreme Court hearing as a member of the committee and my second leading the process as chairman. I’ve participated in the hearing of every sitting Supreme Court Justice, so I'd like to share some insight into how the process will unfold...

President Trump experienced Sen. John McCain's withering disapproval during their shared time in Washington D.C. but he certainly wasn't alone. Congressman Steve King supported McCain during campaign stops in Iowa, but it's safe to say any alliance faded over time. King and the 2008 GOP presidential nominee from Arizona didn't agree about border and immigration policies. McCain ultimately returned to the Senate...

There's a whole list of rules for crafting a good story. They were hand-written by the DCN's Editor Russ Mitchell in black dry erase marker on the whiteboard a long time ago, and they continue to hold true. Of course, there's a litany of writing tips he's shared that didn't make whiteboard status. ...

This summer has been a busy one for many! As a state representative, I am invited to many events throughout the year. Rarely can I make it to every single event or meeting, especially when one works a full-time job at the same time. Couple all this with the massive flooding that we saw this spring, the oil spill in Doon and finally the waste from the oil spill being transported to the Dickinson County Landfill. ...

Iowa's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.6 percent in July.  The state's jobless rate was 3.1 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 3.9 percent in July. "Iowa hasn't seen an unemployment rate this low in 18 years and the amount of help available to employers to find workforce is substantial as evidenced by the more than 13,000 additional Iowans employed now compared to the same time last year," said Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development...

The story of who killed Iowa girl Mollie Tibbetts is nearly complete. Cristhian Bahena Rivera has been charged with her murder and is going to trial. Authorities initially said Rivera was an undocumented immigrant, but now even that is being challenged. Nonetheless, the left is telling the right not to politicize this case, just as the right told the left not to politicize school shootings earlier this year. We all hold our preferred causes quite dearly...

The fourth annual Tiki ride on Aug. 4 was a big success bringing in $1,800 that will garner a total of $7,200 with matching grant funds for DCTB. Funds raised will be used to support the Dickinson County Trails Board in planning and development of priority projects. Thank you to Sportsman’s Pub for all of the work they do putting on this entertaining ride and for the donation to the trails...

There has been considerable debate recently about improving the educational system in Iowa. At the heart of this debate is the main issue of providing the best for our children when it comes to their future. Every parent wants their children to have it better than they did. ...

  This year, House Republicans made mental health a priority by passing many significant mental health bills. These bills included efforts to expand access to mental health services in Iowa communities, provide training to help teachers recognize signs of depression and to increase the mental health workforce throughout the state...

With most Iowa schools starting this week, the Iowa DOT is reminding folks about the laws relating to passing a school bus. Riding on a school bus is the safest way for children to travel to and from school. The greatest risk when traveling by school bus occurs when a child is around the bus. The "danger zone" is 10 feet in front of, behind and to each side of the bus. We need to be especially careful of this area...

Marilyn Maye reminds us that a home isn't just four walls and a roof. And, she found a new one for her performances in Okoboji. "I'm thrilled to be playing the lovely Lakes Art Theatre for two nights," she recently told us, adding that she is glad the Pearson Lakes Art Center is part of the area landscape offering audiences wonderful music and entertainment...

Each year, the governor recognizes individuals who have helped friends or neighbors in need of critical need of assistance. On Aug. 9, Gov. Kim Reynolds recognized seven people for their heroic acts of service. There are four categories in which honorees are recognized — lifesaving with valor, lifesaving, meritorious service and outstanding service...

Some of our area newspaper editors in recent days have had an interesting conversation about whether it pays to argue an irrational subject. With President Donald Trump shifting from labeling any news he doesn’t like as "fake," to dramatically painting the media as "the enemy of the American people," the question becomes — when does the press fight back?...

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has proposed an increase of $3 for an annual hunting or fishing license, bringing the total annual cost to $20. The DNR is accepting comments on the proposed increases through Aug. 21 via email to wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov...

The true role a community paper has been on my mind quite a bit over the last several days. It's easy to think the goal of the paper is to sell as many of those clean, crisp, freshly-printed sheets as possible, but I'm beginning to see that is actually not the goal...

When a patient is taken to a rural emergency department after a car accident, there is a clear transfer process in place based on the severity of the patient and the capabilities of the local hospital. Whether it is a heart attack, stroke or any other physical trauma, that patient is sent to the most capable hospital as soon as possible by ground transportation or even air ambulance...

State revenue in the first month of the new fiscal year grew by 7.3 percent, a strong beginning to fiscal year 2019. The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency reported that the state received $42 million more than in July 2017. The 7.3 percent increase over FY 2018's level is almost double the increase projected by the Revenue Estimating Conference at its last meeting in March of 3.7 percent growth for the fiscal year...

When the summer heat hits, many of us head to our favorite swimming spot. Amid the splashing kids and many distractions of a busy waterfront, fun can quickly become a risk. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, in 2016, unintentional drowning killed 31 Iowans. ...

Students and parents are often told to avoid private student loans because of higher costs and less flexible repayment options. This information is beneficial, as federal student loans are always the best option for student borrowers. However, many Iowa students will find that scholarships, grants, and federal student loans fail to cover all their costs. ...

Americans trust politicians about as much as they trust used-car salesmen, and it's understandable that voters view what my colleagues and I say and do through a skeptical lens. But elected officials can also exhibit moments of exceeding honesty. On July 10, the morning after President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he'd oppose the nomination "with everything I've got." If the weeks since are any indicator, we should believe him.. ...

Trade Aid isn't the latest news but, now that there are rumblings of another government shutdown, I'm starting to feel like it was the first light tap in a combo that will bruise if not stagger the economy. The president has said the government might face a shutdown if the $18 billion he was hoping would fund his prized southern border wall aren't secured. ...

There are more than half a million Iowans age 65 and older, including my wife and me. That's about 16 percent of the total population in Iowa. Many older Iowans live in assisted care facilities, nursing homes or other kinds of group living arrangements. It's critical that these care facilities and staff not only follow the law, but provide the type of care they would want their own family members to receive...

One of my all-time favorite movies is 1993's "Sandlot," a story about kids playing baseball in the summer. At a pivotal point, Scottie Smalls says that he has gotten the boys into "the biggest pickle any of them had ever seen." That's the way I have felt this past week after attending last Tuesday's Dickinson County Supervisor's meeting. ...

The 2018 trails fundraiser was a huge success! Funds raised will be used to support the Dickinson County Trails Board in planning and development of priority projects. These projects include the Highway 71 PLAC Trail, Jones Pasture Trail, East Lake Trail and connecting Tatonka Ska Trace (rail trail) to the West Okoboji Trail at the north tunnel in Okoboji Harbor...

Registration is now open to attend Future Ready Iowa regional summits throughout the state and collaborate with local stakeholders on workforce solutions. The day-long summits are scheduled for late September and early October in 12 Iowa communities:...

A "save the date" announcement went out this month for school emergency management personnel. In response to the new statutory requirement put in place this year by the passage of SF 2364, the Department of Education booked the following dates for training on creating high quality emergency operations plans at the following AEAs:...

Over the past eight months, families across the country have seen significant benefits from last year's tax reform package. More than 4 million Americans have received bonuses or wage and benefit increases, and over a million jobs have been created since tax reform's passage. The child tax credit and standard deduction were doubled, and the average family of four making around $73,000 a year will save more than $2,000 on their taxes next year...

Q: How does transparency hold government accountable?   A: Sometimes I wonder if people get tired of this Iowa senator talking about transparency and accountability. Let me assure skeptics that these two principles of good government aren't trite buzz words or talking points I use in floor speeches. Ask anyone who has locked horns with me and my oversight work over the years...

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller encourages consumers to use the new security freeze law to restrict access to their credit reports to prevent identity theft. The new and updated credit freeze law, which was proposed by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and state lawmakers, benefits consumers in various ways. ...

I was asked to attend a meeting at the White House on Tuesday, July 10. This was a bipartisan meeting, set to build relationships and communication between the White House and state and local officials. It was an honor to be asked to attend. There was no taxpayer funding of this trip. I felt it was important to go, so we changed our family vacation plans around and headed to Washington. ...

The Legislative Services Agency has released their memo on state revenue collections for the month of June and the end of Fiscal Year 2018. For the month, state revenue came in 9.6 percent higher than June 2017 – an increase of $60.9 million.  For the year, total net receipts came in at $7.2523 billion...

There's something important about a byline. It's not about credit, and it's not about notoriaty, but it's important. It's about accountability. It's about credibility. I think it was probably put best during a recent newsroom discussion. We don't deal in information. ...

The Legislative Services Agency has released their memo on state revenue collections for the month of June and the end of Fiscal Year 2018. For the month, state revenue came in 9.6 percent higher than June 2017 — an increase of $60.9 million. For the year, total net receipts came in at $7.2523 billion. ...

Over the next few months, this space will highlight some of the significant appropriation increases and policy changes in the Health and Human Services Budget for FY 2019 (SF 2418) that were supported by House Republicans and opposed by all House Democrats...

Anyone who has changed a tire next to 70 mph traffic will appreciate the "move over" law update that took effect July 1. Since 2002, Iowa's "Move Over" law has required motorists to move over or slow down for certain stationary vehicles displaying flashing lights. ...

It's been six months since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. Since then, there have been continuous, positive economic developments in Iowa and throughout the country. Last month, the U.S. economy generated 223,000 new jobs. In fact, more than 1 million new jobs have been created in the months since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. ...

" … We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this." — Abraham Lincoln On June 8, I attended the funeral of a man I did not know, but who had put his life on the line for me and our country...

Summer has arrived and with that comes days of sleeping in, vacations and a different pace than the school year. But with these perks comes something called the "summer slide" or summer learning loss.  The National Summer Learning Association estimates these facts:...

A joint project with the city of Arnolds Park, Dickinson County Secondary Roads and Dickinson County Trails resulted in new 8-foot concrete shoulders being paved on each side of 190th Street from Bridges Bay to 242nd Avenue. The project addressed serious safety concerns on a busy road that sees a lot of bicycle and pedestrian traffic. It also completes the first phase in DCTB’s long-term plan to continue trails around the east side of East Lake Okoboji...