Although the countdown to the first day of school may preoccupy the minds of most school-age Iowans, there are plenty of diversions to help families enjoy the final days of summer vacation and begin the first days of school.
First, Iowans can take advantage of life’s simpler pleasures. Enjoy a taste of late summer wholesome goodness offered by locally grown...
Q: What is Labor Day?
A: Labor Day is a federal holiday that observes workers or laborers and takes place on the first Monday of September, although the very first celebration of Labor Day was held on a Tuesday. Many communities have a parade or other festivities in honor of working men and women. The holiday often symbolizes the end of summer even though...
Q: What is the renewable fuels standard?
A: In 2005 Congress passed legislation that required that 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol be used annuallyin theUnited Statesby the year 2012. Congress then expanded the mandate in 2007 to make it even more robust by requiring 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels be used annually by the year 2022, of which 21 billion...
Q: What is the Midwestern Disaster Tax Relief Bill?
A: I’ve been working to get Congress to act on a tax relief package for flood and tornado victims throughout the Midwest and especially in
Iowa. The bipartisan bill I put together would provide $3.96 billion in federal tax relief for individuals, families and businesses affected by the disaster. Among other...
When Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz clicks together her heels, longingly repeating, “there’s no place like home,” the young girl from Kansas symbolically taps into expectations shared by generations of Americans.
Having a roof over one’s head goes beyond the most basic need that shelter provides for human survival.
The American Dream is rooted in the promise...
Q: Why are the Olympics important?
A: From the beginning of the ceremonial carrying of the torch to the closing ceremonies, the Olympic Games bring people together from all over the globe. The Olympic Games provide a chance for the world’s best athletes from countries all over the world to take part in the Olympic ceremonies and to compete this year...
Q: What can be done about high gas prices?
A:America’s energy policy needs to be a three-pronged approach. First, we need to develop traditional oil and gas resources inAmerica. Second, we need to continue to push for more development, production and use of alternative renewable fuels. Third, we need to conserve energy both as a nation and as individuals.
Q:...
Q: What types of scams or fraud should be looked out for?
A: It's a shame that more often than not, disasters bring in low-life scam artists who try to weasel money out of victims of disasters, just when they are most vulnerable. It may be hard to believe that these types of crimes could happen in Iowa, but it’s important to be aware of what’s out there....
Slammed with severe weather that has claimed the lives of dozens of people since May 25, Iowans are taking it one day at a time after killer tornados and ravaging floods have forced nearly 40,000 people to evacuate their homes.
For the first time in 15 years, water covered the basement floor of my ruralButlerCounty home. It paled in comparison to town...
Slammed with severe weather that has claimed the lives of dozens of people since May 25, Iowans are taking it one day at a time after killer tornados and ravaging floods have forced nearly 40,000 people to evacuate their homes.
For the first time in 15 years, water covered the basement floor of my ruralButlerCounty home. It paled in comparison to town...
Q: What are some health concerns to be aware of after the flooding?
A: The Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has guidelines to avoid getting sick during the clean-up from flooding at http://www.epa.gov/region7. Additional information is available from the
IowaDepartment of Public Health...
Q: Why have some disabled veterans and seniors not received their Economic Stimulus Payment?
A: I have learned from the Internal Revenue Service that millions of disabled veterans and seniors who are eligible for the Economic Stimulus Payment Congress approved in February of this year have not yet filed a tax return. As a result, those people are in danger...
Q: What are the benefits of homeownership?
A: Homeownership is part of the American Dream. June is National Home Ownership Month and is a great time to think about homeowner issues. Owning a home canprovide security and stability. In turn, homeowners contribute tothe strength of their communities. A long-term investment in a home becomes a long-term...
Q: What is the importance of the American flag?
A: These words are said before the American flag every day across the country. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of theUnited States of Americaand to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” I remember saying those words as a boy in school, and the...
Q: How has the credit crunch affected student loans?
A: Turmoil in the financial markets that started with the bursting of the home mortgage bubble has affected other types of loans. There have been reports of lenders across the country leaving the student loan business altogether, leading some to worry that students might find it more difficult to obtain...
Q: What are the benefits of a healthy lifestyle?
A: As the weather gets warmer and Iowans come out of hibernation after the snowy and icy winter, it’s a good time to think of ways to restart or begin a healthy lifestyle. According to the Iowa Department of Health, in 2006, 1.4 million Iowans were overweight. That number has increased by 36 percent over the...
A debate questioning the merits of renewable biofuels is sweeping across the country as Americans spend more and more of their weekly budgets on gas and groceries. Some are blurring facts with fiction as they try to portray corn-based ethanol as the culprit.
Before farmers and energy entrepreneurs in rural America turn into the collective scapegoat for...
Even though Old Man Winter refused to go quietly into hibernation, spring indeed has sprung in Iowa. Turkey hunters anticipate opening day to test their skills and good fortune. Baseball lovers of all ages watch that first pitch crossing home plate to signal the launch of America’s favorite pastime. The arrival of spring brings farm families a sense of...
Q: What’s the story on your attempts to reform the H-1B Visa program?A: The H1-B visa program was created through the Immigration Act of 1990 to help American companies shore up a shortage in highly skilled workers by providing visas to bring in workers from abroad. Congress passed this legislation hoping to maintain the United States' position as a leader...
As a greater share of take-home pay gets spent on fuel and food, more families are wondering what’s yet in store at the pump and the grocery store. How will household budgets withstand the forces driving up consumer costs and gobbling up a bigger slice of disposable income? The declining value of the dollar and increased global demand for limited resources...
