Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Iowa Statesman.   By Krusty Konservative Dictator of the Iowa Blogosphere   Having now sat through enough Iowa political campaigns to run one myself (not that I am), we’re already to the point in […]

U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   This past week was National Small Business Week and I used this opportunity to visit with small businesses all across Iowa’s Third Congressional District. I know, and certainly the hardworking job creators of Iowa know, how important our local small businesses […]

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack Iowa’s Second Congressional District   Improving access to health care in rural communities is a serious, persistent challenge.  That’s why I have focused on making it easier for families to get the care they need, no matter where they live. Rural Iowa is facing a shortage […]

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) Republican candidate for President of the United States   On April 29, 1607, after a four and a half month journey, 144 Englishmen landed at Cape Henry at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The first thing they did on the shores of what would […]

By U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley   Young, old or in between, every worker collecting a paycheck has a stake in Medicare. The federal health insurance program covering older and permanently disabled citizens is funded through a payroll tax collected on wage earners and cost-sharing by recipients. Medicare has provided health […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed efforts to combat the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N2 outbreak currently affecting Iowa’s poultry industry. Capitol Corner may be read in its entirety by clicking here.

By Iowans for Tax Relief   As we discussed last week, Legislators missed their self-imposed dead for adjournment last Friday.  Starting Monday the Iowa Legislature is in overtime and it does not appear Legislators will wrap up their work any time in the near future. There was some progress on […]

U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   James Madison, in Federalist No. 57, mocked the idea that the federal government would exempt themselves from laws that applied to other people. They “can make no law,” he wrote, “which will not have its full operation on themselves and their […]

By State Rep. Rob Taylor (R-West Des Moines) House District 44   House Republicans released their Fiscal Year 2016 General Fund budget targets, and for the fifth year in a row, House Republicans have proposed a budget that spends less than the state will take in. For Fiscal Year 2016, […]

From Press Release   U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, today released the following statement regarding today’s oral arguments in the Supreme Court concerning whether the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license marriages between two people of the same sex and to recognize same-sex marriages licensed and performed in another state: […]

By U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley   Each night of the week, around 60,000 young people’s heads hit the pillows in a juvenile detention facility. In communities across America, these youth are in state custody for committing offenses that have brought them into the juvenile justice system. Sometimes detention is necessary. […]

From Press Release   U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statement in response to the riots in Balti: “Today 85,000 Balti city children will not be going to school. Buildings have been set ablaze, stores have been looted, the police in the streets have been seriously injured, and […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed the House leadership budget targets. Capitol Corner may be read in its entirety by clicking here.

By Iowans for Tax Relief   The budget impasse continues at the Capitol.  The overall state budget targets between the House Republicans and Senate Democrats are than $170 million apart.  Last week House Republicans proposed a state budget for fiscal year 2016 that would spend $7.168 billion, while Senate […]

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack Iowa’s Second Congressional District   Earlier this Congress, I helped to introduce a bipartisan bill (HR 906) that would prevent a surge in electricity costs expected to hit family budgets this year.  Federal regulations that went into effect in April may cause a spike in electricity […]

By U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   The House finished its first 100 days of the 114th Congress last week, and I am proud to report we have hit the ground running. Things have changed for the better. We are working together to find solutions and iver […]

From Press Release   Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statement regarding a report in The New York Times addressing his support for traditional marriage: “It speaks volumes that The New York Times considers it newsworthy that a Republican who believes marriage is between a man and […]

By Rev. Cary Gordon Executive Pastor Cornerstone World Outreach   I personally respect Senator Ted Cruz for many reasons, not the least of which was his firm and valiant refusal to surrender (along with most of the feckless U. S. Senate Republicans) on the great Constitutional usurpation of Obamacare. At […]

By U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley   Most Americans are relieved to see Tax Day fade into the distance. This year another ta milestone takes a bit longer to reach the rearview mirror. Tax Freedom Day falls on April 24. That’s how long American taxpayers collectively will work into the year […]

By U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley   As the spring planting season fetches long days in the tractor, farmers across Iowa already have invested an abundance of time and money in the new crop before sowing the first seed into the ground. Key management decisions are considered before the fieldwork begins. […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   The Iowa Legislature is currently at a stalemate.  Last week showed little progress on the budget, the main task Legislators must complete before adjourning this session.  This is especially concerning because Legislators have just two weeks before the Legislative session is scheduled to adjourn.   […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed the Raccoon River water quality lawsuit, private property rights, and the upcoming National Day of Repentance event planned for the Iowa Statehouse on April 30. Capitol Corner may be read […]

By U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   This was an odd week in Washington; a senior government official shocked the nation with an honest answer to a question I asked her. While I was questioning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Sarah Saldaña during a hearing, she […]

By Rev. Cary Gordon Executive Pastor Cornerstone World Outreach   It is often necessary to provide strong contrasts in order to clearly define things in our minds. For example, it is much easier to understand the definition of the word “something” if you first have a grasp of the reality […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   Proponents for RAISING the Gas Tax told Iowans, “We can’t afford to wait!”, “Iowa’s bridges are unsafe for school buses and ambulances!”, “The fuel tax increase will take the place of counties bonding”, and “Your auto repair bill will be reduced”.   The constant theme […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed religious freedom and the background of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Capitol Corner may be read in its entirety by clicking here.

U.S. Rep. David Young Iowa’s Third Congressional District   I think we all identify the word recess with school – probably elementary school when we would have a little bit of time during the middle of the day to head outside and have fun. Congress does go into “recess” but […]

Heather Stancil Earlham   The Iowa House of Representatives is considering SF 345, a bill that is touted as an anti-bullying bill, when in actuality it is an anti-parent bill. In the name of bully prevention, it removes parental rights and hands them over to the state and public school […]

From Press Release   Q: What can be done to reduce sexual violence in society? A: The President signed a proclamation making April National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Obviously, the stre of a presidential pen isn’t going to solve this issue in the 30 days of April. […]

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack Iowa’s Second Congressional District   Last month, I had the privilege of hearing directly from veterans from across our district on several occasions.  As the father of two children in the Marine Corps, I know the tremendous sacrifice service members and their families have made for […]

By John Marini University of Nevada-Reno   Editor’s Note: The following is adapted from a speech ivered on March 3, 2015, during a conference on the films of Frank Capra sponsored by the College’s Center for Constructive Alternatives. Reed by permission from Imprimis, a publication of Hillsdale College.   “Frank […]

By Iowans for Tax Reform   The 2015 Legislative session met another important milestone last week with the completion of the second funnel dead.  The second funnel usually marks the point in the session when Legislators get serious about priorities and it becomes clearer what legislation has a serious chance […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. She discussed school funding proposals in the General Assembly, as well as a number of misconceptions about school funding she has heard. Capitol Corner may be read in its entirety by clicking […]

Heather Stancil Earlham   While many Iowans support anti-bullying measures, I doubt many would support the anti-bullying bill that passed the Senate last week. After reading it, I am deeply concerned about its removal of parental rights, the extension of school authority into private events and locations including the family […]

By Patrick Wyett Guest Commentator   In the world of political ambition, the desire to appear “tolerant” oftentimes overrides common sense and has people talking on topics that they have insufficient knowledge or understanding of. Case in point, Ben Carson just gave us his Easter thought, reminding us that Jews, […]

From Press Release   Presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statement in observance of Easter: “He is risen! “Heidi and I are in Charleston, South Carolina, where we attended a beautiful sunrise service. “As Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the […]

By U.S. Rep. David Young (R-IA 3)   One of my top priorities in Congress is to provide oversight and demand accountability on behalf of hardworking Iowa taxpayers. We can have policy debates and disagreements, but we must demand better management of our federal government at every level. One way […]

By The Iowa Statesman   Rep. Rob Taylor (R-West Des Moines) has released his weekly News From the Hill legislative update. Scroll down to read it in its entirety. Your Iowa Legislature is in full swing, and we have just completed the second funnel. This is the Legislature’s self-imposed dead […]

By The Iowa Statesman   State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) has released her weekly Capitol Corner legislative update. Topics covered include the latest state revenue estimate, the Bremer County Farm Bureau Banquet, school start date legislation, the abortion prerequisites bill, and floor managing legislation in the Iowa House of Representatives. […]

By Heather Stancil Earlham   The Iowa Dept. of Education is recommending, and the Senate and House Education Committees are considering, that Iowa move away from a locally developed Iowa assessment to one that was both federally funded and created, and will be based at UCLA: the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. So […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   Last week the House Ways and Means Committee passed House Study Bill 215 (now House File 604), which would give taxpayers the option of filing under the current Iowa income tax system or filing under a new 5% flat-rate tax system. The bill is […]

By Iowans for Tax Reform   Last week was full of debate in the Senate and House as the Legislature moved on with bills that made it past the first funnel dead.   House File 352, the zero-based budgeting bill, was debated last Tuesday and the House passed it on a […]

By The Iowa Statesman   According to The Ocala Star-Banner, someone may soon have digestive issues. The newspaper reported Monday that a truck loaded with $85,000 worth of cargo was stolen Sunday from a parking lot in nearby Summerfield, FL. The precious cargo, enough shredded mozzarella cheese for tens of […]

By Iowans for Tax Relief   Last week a pivotal point in the Legislative session was reached.  The first legislative funnel is a dead for Legislators.  In order to be eligible for consideration later in session, a bill must be passed out of a Senate or House Committee during the […]

By The Iowa Statesman   Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s e problems aren’t going away like I think she had hoped. And soon, we’re likely going to hear about another “vast right-wing conspiracy” meant to knock her out of running for 2016. If only that were true. If you […]

By The Iowa Statesman   Remember when teenagers might stay out late at night on the weekends, engaged in harmless fun that only occasionally escalated to the level of soaping windows? We’re pretty sure Pepperidge Farm isn’t the only one that remembers. According to The Sming Gun, a trio of […]

By The Iowa Statesman   Shock of all shocks, last week, the student government at the University of California-Irvine voted 6-4 (two abstentions) to prohibit the display of the U.S. Flag, and all other flags, from its lobby because they are “symbols of patriotism or weapons of nationalism.” According to […]

By The Iowa Statesman   Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been the political world’s version of Lazarus Long for decades, but time may have finally caught up with her aspirations for the presidency. The controversy surrounding her use of a private e server to circumvent the use […]

By The Iowa Statesman   The koala is one of the national symbols of Australia, and an endangered species, so it should come as little surprise to anyone that what Australian officials did with nearly 700 of them last year was kept hush-hush. The shocking part of the story is […]

By The Iowa Statesman   Remember that election a few months ago, where Americans resoundingly rejected the policies of an out-of-control presidency and demanded Republicans in Congress change course? Yeah, we do, too. Apparently Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) didn’t get […]