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Keeping kids safe from harm

Q: How are you working to help at-risk kids grow up in safe homes? A: Society has a moral imperative to protect the next generation from harm. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving home to reach their full potential. As a father of five and grandfather of nine, I understand the responsibilities of parenthood are demanding. Raising kids is an around-the-clock job, filled with sleepless nights when they’re infants, followed by losing sleep when they’re teenagers gaining more independence from mom and dad. Nurturing and nourishing their minds and bellies, while managing the ...

In honor of National Volunteer Week, April 21-27

As the world grappled with the challenges and uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing became increasingly clear: the importance of community and compassion. In the face of adversity, individuals and organizations alike stepped up to offer support and assistance, spotlighting the power of volunteerism in times of crisis. Now, as we gradually emerge from the shadows of the pandemic, volunteerism continues to play a crucial role in rebuilding and reimagining our society. Volunteerism, at its core, is about giving back to the community, lending a helping hand to ...

Saving Social Security shouldn’t be political kryptonite

During my first term in the U.S. Senate, Congress and the White House tackled what then-House Speaker Tip O’Neill had dubbed the third rail of politics: Social Security. That’s because those who spoke up about Social Security’s finances invariably learned the topic was political kryptonite. But President Ronald Reagan and Speaker O’Neill changed the narrative. By working together in good faith and across the aisle to save Social Security from insolvency, they showed Washington can solve problems on behalf of the American people. A bipartisan commission hammered out proposals ...

There’s no such thing as ‘canceling’ student-loan debt

Personal responsibility and accountability are virtues fundamental to any functioning society. Everyone makes decisions based on different goals and aspirations, and we are all ultimately responsible for the choices that we make. Yet, contrary to common sense, President Biden has decided that people who signed paperwork to take out student loans and have a legal and financial obligation to repay them are entitled to debt forgiveness at the expense of American taxpayers. As a result, the Biden administration has, to date, forgiven roughly $146 billion in student-loan debt. This is not ...

Lawmakers near the end of the 2024 session

We have just finished the last full week of the 2024 Legislative Session. Our last day is next Tuesday. I do not believe we will be well and truly done. There is optimistic speculation that we might make it by the end of next week, but we will just have to wait and see. I’m writing this week’s letter from my office at home. I just finished doing chores, ordered feed, and am now trying to gather my thoughts to share with you. The reason we came home early this week was the House has caught up with the Senate in passing policy bills. The appropriations process slowed down as there ...

Human trafficking – a scourge on our state

The Safe Communities Coalition of Fort Dodge and Webster County is sponsoring a free town hall event on the tragic issue of human trafficking in Iowa. “GRIDSHOCK” is a 50-minute investigative documentary exposing the hidden and alarming reality behind the sex trafficking business in Iowa. After the documentary, a panel of experts including two local professionals who counsel human trafficked victims will lead a discussion and answer questions about human trafficking in Iowa, including the Fort Dodge area. This riveting documentary will challenge everything you thought you knew ...