Opinion: Raising the Minimum Wage

The following opinion piece was recently submitted to area newspapers by former Jackson County resident Lawrence Bay:

The minimum wage is being raised to $15.00 an hour in many areas and there are efforts to raise it nationwide. But why raise it to only $15.00? Why not $100.00? Why not $1,000,000 per hour?

When I started work in 1960 my dream was to make $2.50 per hour, the minimum wage was $1.00 per hour. However in 1960 you could buy a decent house for less than $15,000, a new car for less than $2,000 or mail letters for four cents and post cards for one cent. A carton of cigarettes was $1.80 and you would not believe how low food and gasoline were. Night clubs were cheap: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. plus two drinks totaled $5.00. Are real salaries higher now?

In Turkey in 2000 everyone was a millionaire! But a million Turkish Lire was worth 67 cents American. Of course you could buy very little with a million Lire. Turkey, and other countries, saw the folly of this and reformed their currencies. Does the United States wish to become another Weimar Republic?

Raising the minimum wage, and the resultant inflation, would wipe out the assets of anyone with savings accounts or government bonds and destroy anyone on a fixed income while moving workers into higher tax brackets. It would do nothing to raise the standard of living for low wage workers.

What counts is not the salary but its purchasing power. Control inflation. Raising the minimum wage solves nothing!

Lawrence Bay

Port Byron

Jackson County Vietnam Wall Committee Announces Date For Moving Wall Event

It was announced by the Jackson County Moving Wall Committee that a contract has been signed by the organization and that the Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial will visit Maquoketa, Iowa

from June 23, 2011 to June 27, 2011. The Moving Vietnam Wall Memorial will be on display at the Jackson County Fairgrounds - West Campus in Maquoketa.

“We are honored that The Moving Wall will visit Jackson County and appreciate the efforts of the Committee members in bringing this very special experience to Maquoketa,” said Ronald Horan Jr., Committee President. “The memorial helps to bring healing to veterans, families and friends of those who died or are missing in Vietnam, especially those who may not have the opportunity to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.”

“It is a great honor to be chosen to host the Moving Wall,” said Jean Davidsaver, Secretary - Treasurer of The Moving Wall Committee. “It is our intent to present the Wall in such a way as to preserve the solemn nature of the memorial while providing an opportunity for our young people to learn more about this important part of our history and the great sacrifices made by our armed forces to preserve our freedoms.”

"The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. When John Devitt, “The Moving Wall“ creator, attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of "The Wall." He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington. Vietnam veteran volunteers built “The Moving Wall” and it went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October of 1984.

The Jackson County Moving Wall Committee was formed by Baldwin AmVets Post 64, the Jackson County Republican Central Committee, Bellevue American Legion Post 273 & the Jackson County Historical Society to bring this special exhibit to Jackson County. The Committee is still looking for groups, businesses and individuals to join the Committee, help defray the cost of the event and volunteer to assist with event activities. Those interested may contact Ronald Horan Jr. at 563-652-4998 or Jean Davidsaver at 563-872-3705. 

Jackson County Republicans Candidate Forum and Dinner

Featured speakers at the Jackson GOP Candidate Forum on May 6th will be 1st District Congressional candidates Will Johnson, Mike LaCoste and Ben Lange, plus State Senate candidate Andrew Naeve and County Supervisor candidate Jack Willey. The Thursday evening event will start with a buffet dinner from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Clinton Engines Museum Program Center, 605 E. Maple St., in Maquoketa. The Candidate Forum begins at 7 p.m., followed by a question and answer period.

Johnson grew up in Dubuque, where he attended Senior High School and Loras College. In 2001 he joined the Navy, attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, and served as a CTI (Hebrew linguist) until 2005. He enrolled at Loras College in 2006 and majored in International Studies. In early 2008 he traveled to China, where he studied written and spoken Chinese for more than a year.

He is an avid Tae Kwon Do practitioner and instructor, and is also a musician.

LaCoste was raised on a northeast Iowa farm and worked at John Deere in Waterloo for 36 years before retiring from his job as a Quality Inspector. He attended the University of Northern Iowa and Hawkeye Community College in Cedar Falls, as well as several John Deere educational programs. He has coached in the Waterloo area for 13 years.

He and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 33 years and have two grown sons, Sean and Shane.

Lange grew up in Quasqueton, the son of a meat plant worker. He earned his B.A. in political science from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX and earned his law degree from Hamline University Law School in St. Paul, MN. While attending Hamline, he was a policy advisor to U.S. Congressman John Kline, a Minnesota conservative.

He and his wife, Kelly, have two toddler daughters—Addison and Emelia. He owns a small business in Independence.

Naeve, 25, is a sixth generation family farmer and business owner from the Andover area. He graduated from East Central High School in 2003, where he now serves as an elected school board member and as Varsity Boys Basketball Coach. He graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY in 2007 with a degree in farm business management and finance.

Naeve is engaged to Kristin Conway; they will be married in August.

Supervisor Jack Willey of Maquoketa has been a Jackson County Supervisor for 20 years. Willey is a member of several boards and committees, including the State Committee on Mental Health, the County Case Management Advisory Board, and the Empowerment Board.

He and his wife, Marilyn, own Jack and Associates in downtown Maquoketa. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

Tickets are available at the door for the event—cost is $10 for adults, with family members under 18 admitted free (admission to museum is separate).

Press Release: Naeve Announces Candidacy

Andrew Naeve Announces Iowa Senate Campaign

CLINTON – Andrew Naeve, a sixth generation family farmer from Clinton, filed his nomination papers and statement of candidacy with the Iowa Secretary of State to run for the Iowa Senate. Naeve is running for Senate District 13, which includes all of Jackson County, the northern portion of Clinton County including the City of Clinton and the southeast tip of Dubuque County.

A lifelong Iowan raised on a family farm, Naeve, 25, graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, with a degree in Farm Business Management and Finance. Upon graduation, Naeve returned to Iowa to join his father and grandfather on the family’s corn, soybean and cattle farm in Clinton County. In 2008, Naeve was elected to serve on the East Central Community School District Board of Education. A high school and college basketball standout, Naeve also serves as the head boys basketball coach at East Central High School.

As a recent college graduate who returned home to Iowa to pursue his career, Naeve is running for the Iowa Senate because he wants to see his generation and future generations be afforded the chance to stay in Iowa or come to Iowa to obtain a good job and raise their families in safe communities and good schools.

“I came back home to Iowa because I believe in Iowa and the opportunities and values that thrive here,” said Naeve. “I am running because I want to focus on finding new ways to create private sector jobs so we can grow our state again. I want my generation and future generations of Iowans to be able to pursue their dreams in Iowa, find a rewarding career and raise their family,” he continued.

Besides focusing on job creation and educational excellence, Naeve says he wants to get Iowa’s budget back in line with revenues after three years of overspending and fiscal mismanagement created record deficits that have lead to increased property taxes. As a family farmer, Naeve understands the burdens placed on small businesses by excessive government and says his optimistic message of job creation, property tax relief, responsible budgeting and education excellence is what is needed to move Iowa forward.

“Like most Iowans, I am upset with the unsustainable levels of spending that has lead to record deficits, the continued increases in taxes and the budgets that are produced in Des Moines that do not reflect the true priorities and values of Iowans. As a local education leader and school board member, I have seen first hand how the decisions in Des Moines affect our schools and harm our property taxpayers,” said Naeve. “As your senator, I will only vote for responsible and fiscally sustainable budgets that reflects your priorities, keeps our taxes low and encourages job creation.”

Naeve is engaged to Kristin Conway. In addition to his work on his family farm, the East Central School Community School Board and East Central High School boys basketball coach, Naeve is a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Andover.

“I want to be a champion for agriculture and be part of the solution that brings and keeps younger Iowans here to find a good job and raise their family. My focus will be on fiscal responsibility, job creation and working to protect the property taxpayer,” said Naeve. “I look forward to working hard to bring my optimistic message and grassroots campaign to every voter in the district as we all work together to bring about a new direction for Iowa and a brighter future for our children and grandchildren and the generations of Iowans yet to come.”

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Paid for by the Republican Party of Iowa

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