Keeping students safe in schools is a top priority for House Republicans for all Iowans. That’s why the Public Safety Committee advanced House Study Bill 675 to ensure students have the protection they deserve all day. HSB 675 has two parts, the first addresses the need for school resources officers inside buildings and the second creates a professional weapons permit and with extensive training for school employees. more

The 2016 election marked a turning point in American politics. One noteworthy example was the increase in the number of women running for office. more

Feb. 22, 1984: Students at John Glenn Elementary School were enjoying working on the new school computer. It was purchased for $3,000 with funds raised by the PTO at the recent school carnival and raffle. more

Congratulations, readers! more

Back in January, I bought tickets the first day they were available for the Feb. 14 Broadway production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" and the pre-show buffet at the Adler in downtown Davenport. more

"What’s happening around town is not the old ding-dong-ditching game that most of us grew up with where someone rang your doorbell during the day or evening and then quickly ran away ..." more

The Taxpayer Relief Fund now has a $3.6772 billion balance in its account, affirming Iowa’s sound fiscal management over the last 10 years with the current majority. more

Following our first legislative deadline last week, the seventh week of session in the Iowa Senate focused on floor debate. After bills pass the Senate, they are sent to the House of Representatives for their consideration. more

On Feb. 19, the Iowa House of Representatives started debate, and I managed a bill on the floor that I introduced this session, House File 2249. more

The Iowa Senate concluded our first big deadline of the session, and last week we focused on floor debate. In between debates, I had the opportunity to meet with AEA members to continue the discussion about the proposed legislation. more

Feb. 27, 1974: An effort was underway to establish an ambulance service in Eldridge, the city council learned. The proposed service would be part of a countywide network, including the LeClaire Ambulance and newly established services in Buffalo and Durant. Areas outside of Davenport were currently serviced by a private company, M&M Ambulance Service. Mike Hunt of LeClaire showed the council an outline of a program that would provide ambulance service to all Scott County residents in a maximum 15-minute response time. more

If you were asked to write a 500-word essay about our hometown, Eldridge, what would you say? Perhaps something like this: more

"Democracy is easy to take for granted because we have always had it.  But democracy in Iowa is weak and our freedoms are being chipped away by a very partisan government in Des Moines ..." more

"Harmony and cooperation have been broken by the Republicans. Iowans deserve the freedom to join in a union. They deserve the right to negotiate for working conditions ..." more

"... Trump wants to win to save his power over others. That’s his drug ..." more

Our second legislative deadline for this year’s legislative session is getting closer. The eighth week of the session focused on debate, as well as starting our work on the bills we’ve received from the House of Representatives. more

Last week was filled with idea exchange, constituent input and debate/decision, below are the detailed  results of that work along with a few additional highlights of activities in committee. more

Republicans in the Iowa Legislature say they don’t want politics in your kid’s classroom. But that’s not true. They don’t mind politics in your kid’s classroom—as long as it’s their politics. more

March 6, 1974: The North Scott School District purchased 13 acres of land in Park View for $26,000. While the site had been eyed for an elementary school in the past, the land purchase did not guarantee a school would be built there. Any construction would require a bond referendum. more

Four years ago this week, on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, voters of Eldridge and the North Scott School District, in separate measures, gave thumbs up to funding a YMCA in Eldridge. The taxpayers would build it, and the YMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley would run it. more