Archive for April 2014

Confidential settlement agreements with former state employees continue to be discussed in the Iowa Senate. A story reported last week in the Des Moines Register revealed employees received money to keep the details about the termination of their employment private. This resulted in a backlash because the state used taxpayer…

When America was founded, our founding fathers envisioned a country where the states were “laboratories of democracy.” This meant they wanted to give states the flexibility to experiment in the governing of their state. They believed the best ideas would rise to the top and states would adopt the best…

The tremendous turnaround in the financial strength of Iowa has been well documented over the past few years. A huge budget shortfall in 2011 turned into a huge surplus through three years of sound budgeting principles and tough decisions. Currently, Iowa has over $850 million in our ending balance. This…

Each year, the governor introduces his agenda at the beginning of the legislative session. He usually focuses on two or three major items each session, along with several other smaller issues. This year, the Governor focused on three major issues: An anti-bullying bill, connecting Iowans by expanding broadband internet coverage,…