2010 Caucus Date and Time Announced

Earlier this week, the Republican Party of Iowa and Iowa Democrat Party issued a joint statement to announced that both parties agreed to hold the next Iowa caucuses on Saturday, January 23 2010 starting at 1:00pm. The date was set on a Saturday as both parties agreed that it would likely increase participation on both sides in a non-Presidential election cycle. Location information for the Republican caucuses in Jackson County will be available here when it becomes available.

Watch RPI Chairman Strawn on Iowa Press

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn will be featured on PBS' Iowa Press program at 7:30 p.m. next Friday, April 10, and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 12.

Strawn has been active in promoting the Republican Party since his election, and he is an able spokesman. I continue to be impressed by his energy and passion. He is at the center of activity, and has a full schedule of appearances that will certainly make a difference in growing the Party.

That's one PBS program that will be worth watching!

Jackson County GOP Announce Spring Event

The Jackson County Republicans have announced plans for their upcoming annual spring event to be held Sunday, May 17 at the Clinton Engines Museum Program Center in Maquoketa.

This year's spring event will be a legislative wrap-up luncheon. Scheduled speakers include Iowa Representative Steve Lukan (District 32) and Jackson County Supervisor Jack Willey. More details about this event can be found here over the next several weeks as they become available.

Union-Friendly Bills

Another Legislative Forum in Maquoketa this morning, and it seemed like a rerun of the last forum in Maquoketa. Union members were recruited to speak in favor of the expansion of union bargaining topics and the selection of doctors by union members injured on the job. Of course, there were persuasive arguments why these bills should be passed.

We also heard persuasive arguments why prevailing wage legislation should be passed during the January Legislative Forum. But their arguments weren't even convincing enough for all the Democrat Representatives, as that bill did not pass. Beware of bills that benefit a minority segment of our population (union members), but may be harmful to business people and taxpayers in general.

Thanks to the Farm Bureau for sponsoring these Legislative Forums. Larry Jepsen does a great job handling these events.

Jean, the Political Junkie

Jackson County Supervisors Meeting Report

Last week's meeting featured comments that show our supervisors are concerned about state legislative issues and plans by Governor Culver.

Example: Legislators support a gas tax increase of up to 10 cents per gallon to pay for infrastructure improvements, but the governor has said he will veto any bill that contains a gas tax increase. The governor, on the other hand, has proposed a huge bonding program that will put the state in debt for many years--a proposal not supported by legislators. Sounds like a lot of good people spent time formulating Time 21, only to see its plan picked apart by dissension between the administrative and legislative branches. Meanwhile, our roads continue to deteriorate. . .

Senator Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) was mentioned concerning a proposed mental health bill. Both he and Supervisor Jack Willey serve on the Mental Health Committee, but his proposed bill addressed none of the concerns of that committee.

Is anybody listening to the concerns of the ordinary citizen in Des Moines? It sounds like our County Supervisors are much closer to the taxpayers and voters than other elected officials.

Jean, the Political Junkie

Preschool Education--Public or Private

Now that government officials are touting preschool education as an economic stimulus, the debate concerning private or government-controlled preschools is heating up once again.

Why would we want government-imposed standards for preschools when private business has been doing an outstanding job? I've been told about studies showing preschool-educated children have an advantage in the classroom that disappears by the fourth grade. Is preschool so necessary that everyone should be taxed to pay for it? Shouldn't the parents have a choice? Parents could choose a private preschool, or they could choose to keep a four-year-old at home with Mom or Dad.

Good Morning America aired a segment this morning with John Stossel interviewing the owner of private preschools. She noted it's laughable for the government to impose standards on preschools when primary and secondary school children are ranked so far behind the children of other countries.

Doesn't it seem incongruous that we are laying off teachers and teachers' aides all around the country, while the government wants to take over preschool education?

Jean, the Political Junkie

Jackson County Supervisors Meeting Report

During last week's county supervisors meeting, once again, a subject of concern was the mental health services budget. After roads, it's the second largest budget item. Supervisor Jack Willey explained that Federal and State governmental actions have been catastrophic for the county's mental health budget. He further noted that up to $700,000 in funding may be lost to the county because of a small balance left in the account at the end of the fiscal year.

What to do about the shortfall? The property tax levy for mental health is maxed out, so funding through the county cannot be increased, and funds cannot be transferred from another account.

Will services need to be cut? Or will Jackson County resort to waiting lists, just as other counties have already done?

Supervisor Willey noted that this situation is not understood by the general public, but it may soon affect many of us. Let's trust our supervisors to give us more information about this important subject. Perhaps they will schedule a public forum. . .a question & answer session with knowledgeable people about the subject.

Jean, the Political Junkie

New From Iowa House GOP Leader Kraig Paulsen

Big Labor Strikes

The first big labor bill is on the move, and it’s moving quickly. HSB 149 (click to view) was introduced in the Labor committee this week, and is expected to be moved out of committee on Monday. This bill mandates a “prevailing wage” standard for most public works projects. It’s not the first time this bill has been tossed around, but this time, it has traction in the majority caucus.

The cost to Iowa taxpayers will be quite significant. It’s estimated that at a minimum, Iowa Workforce Development will need an additional $889,000 and 11 new employees and the Board of Regents will need an additional $556,000 and 6 new employees in order to comply with the bill. Additionally, construction costs estimates by the Iowa State Association of Counties and the Iowa Association of School Boards indicate an approximate 10 to 12 percent increase in local project costs due to prevailing wage.

More detail can be found at the following links: http://iowahouserepublicans.com/prevailing-wage-fiscal-impact-memorandum

http://iowahouserepublicans.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/prevailing-wage-april-23-2008.pdf

The bottom line is this: HSB 149 places an undue burden on state and local governments and will undoubtedly cause an increase in property taxes or a scaling back of public works projects.

The last state to pass prevailing wage legislation was Minnesota, in 1973. Nine states have since repealed their laws, including Ohio. When Ohio repealed the prevailing wage for school construction, the projects saw a 10 percent reduction in project costs.

This proposal fails multiple tests, but two that immediately come to mind are: 1—This is a tax increase and it will hit property tax payers especially hard. We already have some of the highest property taxes in the nation-House Republicans will not support raising them even more. 2—At a time when

Iowa has such significant infrastructure needs, this is absolutely a step in the wrong direction. We don’t need to add to the multi-billion dollar rebuilding cost effort by addition on an additional 10% increase in project costs-House Republicans will not support these increases.

If you have thoughts on this bill (or any other) now is the time to share them with your legislators. Our phone numbers and addresses can be found here.

You elect us to represent and serve you, please share your thoughts.

200th Birthday of Abraham Lincoln

Nothing I write can possibly do justice to President Abraham Lincoln. Better you should read Lincoln's own words. . .read the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, or one of his Inaugural Addresses. Or, choose one of the more than 14,000 biographies written about President Lincoln. Celebrate this very special day with a look back at history.

Celebrate our Jackson County connection: Captain William Warren of Bellevue was a delegate to the 1860 Republican National Convention and had the honor of voting for Abraham Lincoln, who won the nomination on the third ballot.

Jean, the Political Junkie

Sen.Grassley speaks out against Stimulus bill

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Reporters and Editors

RE: Economic Stimulus Legislation

DA: Monday, February 9, 2009

Senator Chuck Grassley made the statement immediately below regarding his vote today against economic stimulus legislation put before the Senate with limited debate, the Collins-Nelson amendment #570 (substitute) to H.R. 1, the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“Thousands of Iowans have called me to voice their opposition to this legislation. They don’t have confidence that the bill will get the economy back on track. Their cynicism is fueled by the package’s massive government spending and long-term entitlement commitments that will leave the next generation with trillion dollar deficits. The bill is a big missed opportunity, especially with the strength of a new president who campaigned to change the ways of Washington, and the urgent need to help create and sustain jobs. The way this bill was managed with a heavy partisan hand by congressional leaders kept it from being an effective economic stimulus package. Bipartisanship isn’t picking off bare minimum support from a few Republicans at the 11^th hour. It’s working together from the beginning to develop good ideas from both sides and weed out bad ones. When partisanship takes over the process, it shuts out good amendments like mine to extend the wind energy production tax credit, which would have provided certainty for an industry creating hundreds of jobs in Iowa. It also hurts states like Iowa which are likely to see the major blows of the recession after other states, just when the money is likely to be gone. For example, the bill gives disproportionately more help to big states at the expense of states like Iowa with Medicaid dollars, and the majority leader in the Senate wouldn’t even allow my amendment to be discussed which would have directed social services to Iowa and other states still recovering and rebuilding from natural disasters in 2008. So, instead of a plan that is charged with initiatives to encourage investment, risk taking, entrepreneurship and the kind of activity that gets people to work today and for the long haul, America is getting a bill that’s big on government spending and small on much else, including help for Iowa. In the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression, America’s workforce and those fighting for a better day deserve better.”

Sen. Grassley To Host Town Hall Meeting in Jackson County

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley has recently announced plans to hold a town hall meeting with his constituents in Jackson County. The meeting will be held Friday, February 20th at the Hurstville Interpretive Center in Maquoketa (18670-63rd St. Hwy. 61) from 10:15-11:15am.

For more information about the event, contact us at communications@jacksoncountygop.net

Jackson County Supervisors Meeting Report

Supervisor Jack Willey ably explained that even though Jackson County is ranked 97th out of 99 counties for average income, that's not the total picture. No Jackson County residents who work in Dubuque, Scott, Clinton or other counties are included in that average. The average is figured only on Jackson County business wages. It's all in the way those average wages are calculated that make our county's wages sound so dreary.

I watched last week's Jackson County Supervisors meeting on cable today, and discussion focused on mental health services. With a 6-1/2% reduction in state spending, unmandated mental health services may have to be trimmed or eliminated.

Good news is that Jackson County should benefit from both the Federal and State stimulus packages. With an emphasis on "shovel ready" projects, that may help our budget for county roads.

Follow the supervisor meetings if you're able--you'll find the time most rewarding!

Jean, the Political Junkie

Sounds Good, But. . .

During last weekend's legislative forum in Maquoketa, Rep. Tom Schueller said he is in favor of prevailing wage legislation. Everyone would like to have wages that can support a family, but what dollar amount is that? And who would decide that dollar amount?

During the forum it was pointed out that Iowa is one of only eight states that do not have prevailing wage legislation. One of the attendees also noted that farmers and small businesses may not be able to pay a prevailing wage. Will there be exemptions?

Is this issue like last year's Fair Share Bill? Democrat legislators enthusiastically passed it, but the bill was vetoed by Governor Culver. The Fair Share Bill would have endangered Iowa's Right to Work status, but you would have not known that if you listened only to the bill's supporters.

Since Jackson County's average wage scale is the second lowest in the state, economic development is a hot topic. Will prevailing wage legislation increase our wage scale? There should be lots more discussion before we decide.

Jean, the Political Junkie

Pray and Act

President Obama spoke to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in July 2007, saying he would sign the Freedom of Choice Act.

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would permit tax funding of abortions. FOCA would repeal the Ban on Partial Birth Abortion. It would eliminate many laws favoring the birth of children, parental rights, health regulations and our taxes.

According to my dictionary, Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, copyright 1970, abortion was illegal. Of course, a couple years later the USA court system legalized abortion from false testimony. Read the story of Roe vs Wade. Then following, Partial Birth Abortion became legal! Read about what Partial Birth Abortion involves!

We must pray that President Obama would seek to protect the unborn and build up the USA with healthy newborns and involved parents. He has a beautiful and loving family. We must pray for God’s protection of our president and his family, and for all his staff. Pray that they would seek God’s will for protection of the rights of the unborn.

We must act by notifying our elected officials who will be voting for or against The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Notify our representative and senators by phone calls and letters or meet with them when they are in the area.

Learn more about FOCA by visiting:

www.IowaRTL.org

www.cwfa.org

www.nchla.org

www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/FOCA

Thank You,

Carole Whisman, a tax payer and grandmother

Regional Response to Local Needs--ECIA

Do you know what ECIA is? That's the East Central Intergovernmental Association. You may not be familiar with that organization because they work mostly behind the scenes. Three representatives from their Dubuque office appeared recently at the weekly Jackson County Board of Supervisors meeting. The number of projects this entity is involved in is amazing!

RTA rides? Yes. Economic stimulus package? Yes. Rental assistance? Yes. Downtown revitalization? Yes. Sidewalks, trails, safety issues? Yes. Business loans? Grants? Yes.
Check out their website at http://www.ecia.org .

If you want to know what's going on in county government, attending the weekly supervisor's meetings (Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in the courthouse) or watching them on cable is a great way to start.

Jean, the Political Junkie

Look at the Incentive Plan!

House Republican Leader John Boehner has some MUST-READ information about the proposed incentive plan. One point that should concern many of us: massive funding for contraceptives. According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, those "family planning" subsidies are necessary because states can't afford to provide services for those children. In short, don't have babies because the state can't afford to support them. It's a cost-saving measure.

The state can't support them? I always thought the most important question was whether the PARENTS could support them--provide for them financially, educate them well, take care of their medical needs, and raise them to be productive, moral citizens.

Congressman Boehner ably describes Republican concerns with the stimulus plan--go to http://republicanleader.house.gov/News and look for his Top 20 Fast Facts.

Jean, the Political Junkie

Jackson County GOP Central Committee Meeting

The Jackson County Republican Central Committee will be holding their monthly meeting this Thursday, January 22 at Geno's Pizza, 561 E White St (Hwy 64) in Preston. Come join us at 6pm to eat some pizza, and stick around for the meeting which starts at 7pm.

For more information e-mail us at communications@jacksoncountygop.net .

New RPI Chairman Matt Strawn Reacts to Gov. Culver's Condition of the State Address