Columns/Opinions

Tue
12
Mar

Tribes of the Turkey River

Tribes of the Turkey River

Submitted by Terry Landsgaard

      Because of the valuable concessions of the treaties the United States made with the various tribes, annuities were paid out as immediately as possible to the Native Americans.

      The July 29 agreement with the Ottawa, Potawatomi and Chippewa called for $16,000 annual payments forever.  There was a $12,000 present, 50 barrels of salt, to be delivered to the Native Americans at Chicago forever, and the "assignment" of money and land to particular Native tribes and half breeds.

Tue
12
Mar

NFV Community Coalition holds meeting

NFV Community Coalition holds meeting

Submitted by Rev. David Coffin, retired, NFVCC Board Member

      The North Fayette Valley Community Coalition Executive Committee met Tuesday March 5, at the Elgin office on Canoe Road. Among the topics discussed included community resources for family, help and personal needs throughout Fayette County. We tried to identify contact persons for the respective organization, church, or business.

Tue
12
Mar

From the Fayette County Board of Supervisors

From the Fayette County Board of Supervisors

Submitted by Supervisor Janell Bradley
      "I have chosen to not seek reelection to the Fayette County Board of Supervisors in the fall November election. In large part, I am disappointed to see Iowa's county supervisors being given less local control as the Iowa Legislature continues to impose unfunded mandates. 

      While I thoroughly enjoyed my first term as a supervisor, the second half of my second term has me feeling the state Legislature wants to rule counties from Des Moines, while making it appear they are cutting taxes. What will likely result, is eventual cuts in services at the local level, unless there are modifications made regarding HF718.

Tue
12
Mar

Greetings from the Statehouse

Greetings from the Statehouse

By Representative Michael Bergan

      It has been a productive week here at the Capitol, full of many high-profile bills getting passed on the House Floor. Some of those bills included laws that would ensure election integrity here in Iowa, raise teacher's starting salaries, and address the growing problem of fentanyl.

      Outside of debate, I met with other members of the Appropriations and State Government committees to narrow down which bills to send through the second, and smaller, funnel of the session. There were also plenty of guests with staff from the Decorah Public Library visiting the Capitol on Tuesday and members of the Iowa Hospital Association attending on Wednesday. 

      Here are some notable bills that passed through the House this week.

Tue
12
Mar

To the People of House District 68

To the People of House District 68

By Representative Chad Ingels

      The rate at which the Iowa House was passing legislation slowed considerably during week 9, when compared to the previous two weeks.

      This week just 31 bills were passed, which is about half of the number of bills passed each of the previous weeks. So far this session, the House has passed 150 pieces of legislation. On the other side of the rotunda, the Senate has passed 57 bills this year.

      We are moving quickly toward the end of the legislative session. Next week is the second funnel deadline, which means House bills must be passed out of Senate committees and Senate bills must be passed out of House committees to stay alive.

Tue
12
Mar

Pastor's column

Pastor's column

By Lori Kleppe

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

This time of the year in 2009 found me preparing to leave a call as pastor serving two rural congregations in Wisconsin to take on a new identity- Naval officer and chaplain as I had received a commission and would soon be heading to Newport, Rhode Island for about nine weeks of formation. It was an exciting time as I embraced the opportunity to serve in the military, something I had felt drawn to since the age of sixteen when, even in the late 1970s, I wanted to be a Marine.  Life takes us on an unexpected journey and arriving to Officer Development School at forty-seven had the potential to be an interesting part of my life’s story. I arrived wearing ‘business casual’ as we were instructed to do, made my way on foot from the Main Gate of the command I would call home determinedly rolling my suitcase along the bumpy roadside; it was not a short walk and one made, I imagined, as those driving by laughed knowing what I was getting myself into.

Mon
04
Mar

To the editor

To the editor

      For nearly 40 years, March has been designated as Music In Our Schools Month by the National Association for Music Education. Music has a lasting positive impact in our lives. The positive impact on music in the lives of our students lasts a lifetime. Therefore, the education and cultivation of music in our youngest members of society, our students, is paramount.

Mon
04
Mar

Tribes of the Turkey River

Tribes of the Turkey River

Submitted by Terry Landsgaard

      The Treaty of 1829 added to the troubles of the Winnebago that were referred to in my previous writing. This treaty dealt directly with the cession of some 8 million acres of farm and mineral lands in Wisconsin and Illinois; changes much more consequential than the Treaty of 1825. 

Mon
04
Mar

To the people of House District 68

To the people of House District 68

By Representative Chad Ingels

      It was a second big week of floor debate in the Iowa House. Many have said it was a week of heavy lifting as the House tackled some of the more controversial bills this session, creating several hours of debate across multiple days. In this newsletter, I always try to highlight bills that I think some might find interesting.

      During week 8, the House passed over 60 pieces of legislation and it is tough to pick which bills to summarize. If you would like to dig in and learn more about all of the bills, the Iowa House Republicans post the same bill summaries that we use to understand what is really in each bill.

Mon
04
Mar

Greetings from the Statehouse

Greetings from the Statehouse

By Representative Michael Bergan

      Things are getting done here at the Capitol, thanks to a productive and dedicated legislature. We have entered the second week of floor debate, and many bills are being passed on the floor, most of which with bipartisan support.

      In between caucus meetings and debates, the Capitol was host to many visitors including Representative Ashley Hinson from Iowa Congressional District 2, who was here on Monday to meet with legislators. The Capitol also welcomed dozens of community college students who were here for Community College Day on the Hill, as well as members of 4-H who were guests for a portion of the debates on Tuesday.

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