Legislature

No fireworks in final Eggs & Issues session (03/16/10)
With Democrats Sen. Jack Kibbie and Rep. Marcie Frevert -- both of Emmetsburg, -- absent from the final Eggs & Issues session Saturday, Spencer City Council chambers never really heated up with back-and-forth dialogue. Rep. Mike May who was participating in his final Spencer Chamber of Commerce legislative event, took the opportunity to thank those he has served in District 6...

Conlin concerned about health care (03/09/10)
The availability of health care is a top priority for U.S. Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin, largely because she can relate to those without insurance. When she was 14, she got an ear infection. With no money for medication, no insurance and no car to take her to a doctor, she was forced to let the infection run its course, resulting in permanent, partial hearing loss in her left ear...

Legislators discuss rising health care costs, texting while driving (03/02/10)
When the third Eggs and Issues legislative forum of the season began Saturday morning in Spencer, attendees were encouraged to not ask the three participating state legislators about same-sex marriage or right-to-work issues, common themes of the first two sessions held this year. Even with the majority party not represented at the gathering, Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan; Rep. Mike May, R-Spirit Lake; and Rep. Royd Chambers, R-Sheldon; addressed a variety of issues ranging from oversight of the Department of Natural Resources and texting while behind the wheel to health care concerns and statewide budget cuts. ...

Health care, job bills on Grassley's agenda (02/27/10)
Following his participation in a 7 1/2-hour, televised health care summit involving President Barack Obama and 38 lawmakers Thursday, Sen. Chuck Grassley's concerns about sweeping health care reform have not waned. "What's the point of negotiating, you know?" the frustrated Republican from New Hartford asked. "Maybe sprinkle in a couple Republican ideas and you've got a bipartisan bill? Well, I don't think so."...

Tea Party to Iowa legislators: You're not listening (02/19/10)
DES MOINES - Kris Thiessen used to get tired of people who talked politics. Now she's one of them. The Everly business owner was talking politics at the Capitol on Tuesday along with a couple of dozen fellow Tea Party activists. High among their talking points were legislative proposals they say will weaken Iowa's election laws, gun rights and other proposals that expand government and limit freedom...

Eggs & Issues: Legislators weigh in on status of the state (02/02/10)
There were eggs - eggs sandwiches to be exact. And there were issues - there are definitely issues. Local state legislators met in council chambers at Spencer City Hall Saturday morning to take part in the first of four scheduled Eggs & Issues forums. Republicans: Senator David Johnson (Ocheyedan) and Representatives Mike May (Spirit Lake) and Royd Chambers (Sheldon),...

Roberts concerned about spending (01/29/10)
"Money doesn't grow on trees... Until I was first elected to the Iowa House, I thought all adults were like that," Rod Roberts told a small, vocal group of about 25 individuals at the Clay County Regional Events Center Thursday night. "(Other elected officials) began making decisions and acting like there's an orchard out back the capitol."

Whiting second to announce plans for District 6 seat (01/05/10)
Spirit Lake native Zach Whiting announced Monday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the District 6 seat in the Iowa House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by Mike May, who has announced that he will not seek re-election in November...

Kibbie: Education to remain a priority in 2010 (12/24/09)
Sen. John "Jack" Kibbie told Spencer school board members this week that education will remain a priority in 2010. He also forewarned that state legislators will be looking at the possibility of more school districts sharing in order to save money. Incentives for them to share and discussions about more distance learning occurring will transpire this upcoming legislative session, he said Tuesday evening via a teleconference connection with board members...

Board members, legislators mull over upcoming legislative session (12/17/09)
Spencer school board members have received predictions, as well as advance warnings, from three area legislators in regard to what challenges the district's coffers and local taxpayers' wallets may expect in response to Iowa's budget shortfall and across-the-board cuts ordered by the governor. During a nighttime work session held this week, Sen. David Johnson, Reps. Royd Chambers and Mike May told the locally-elected representatives that the upcoming legislative session will probably be a "compressed situation" that will be "all about budget and very little about policy." ...

Area banker seeks May's District 6 seat (12/08/09)
Okoboji banker Jeff Smith on Tuesday announced plans to run for the Iowa House District 6 seat currently held by Mike May. May said he will not be seeking re-election in 2010 and voiced support for Smith -- a fellow Republican -- as part of the statement that officially announced Smith's campaign for the seat...

State cuts taking a toll on NW Iowa (12/05/09)
"The first cut is the deepest," muses a classic song. The global economic crisis has hit home belatedly, but with full force, in Iowa and local communities this season. The bleeding can be felt from the slashes in school budgets to the trauma of sudden job losses...

May won't seek reelection in 2010 (11/24/09)
State Representative Mike May (R-Spirit Lake) announced this week that he will not be seeking reelection in 2010. "I've been thinking about this all summer," said May. "Probably in early fall, I decided I wouldn't seek reelection in 2010." May, owner of Triggs Bay Resort, says it's time to focus on his business and his family. May and his wife Marge have three children and five grandchildren...

Ne'er too late: 95 year old votes for first time (11/07/09)
Marion Peters heard the same question asked in disbelief, over and over, earlier this week. "You've never voted?" her daughter-in-law, Betty Peters asked. The same question came from Darlene Enderton, the chairwoman of the city of Webb's voting precinct...

Rep. King wades into Limbaugh, Rams ownership (10/30/09)
U.S. Rep. Steve King used a Capitol Hill appearance by Roger Goodell to press the NFL Commissioner about conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who was removed from a group trying to purchase the St. Louis Rams. Goodell was testifying before a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday to examine the long-term effects of head injury among NFL players...

Cruise vessel safety legislation passes House (10/24/09)
Advocates for cruise ship safety are applauding House passage Friday of language authored by U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) to improve safety of cruise ship passengers on the high seas. Matsui's Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act of 2009 was included in H.R. ...

Public forum will focus on potential mental health service reductions (10/17/09)
Earlier this year, the Iowa Department of Human Services was directed by the Iowa Legislature to assist an appointed task force with an evaluation of the four state mental health institutions (MHI) at Cherokee, Clarinda, Independence and Mt. Pleasant...

Attendees request full REAP funding (10/08/09)
Residents from the nine-county area gathered in Spencer this week to voice their individual thoughts on how Iowa's REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) program might be made better. The 49 people who gathered at Tuesday night's assembly in the Clay County Regional Events Center unanimously expressed a desire for the program to receive full funding, allowing it to more fully enhance and protect Iowa's natural and cultural resources...

Ag reps encouraged, warned about future of industry (09/19/09)
While times may be tough, nearly 100 agricultural representatives were encouraged to keep their chins up and focus on the prize during a luncheon held Thursday at the Clay County Fair. ...

Krause stumps for Grassley's seat at fair (09/15/09)
U.S. Senate aspirant Bob Krause (D-Fairfield) campaigned Saturday at the Clay County Fair. The 59-year-old, who acknowledges he faces stiff odds in his bid to defeat Iowa's senior senator, readily recited the handful of colorful statements his foe has made over the last few months, recited the incumbent's voting record and then forecast "that the winds they are a changing." ...

Lost at sea -- Kendall Carver's crusade (09/12/09)
The days of business cards and power-point presentations were supposed to be in the past for 72-year-old Kendall Carver, a member of the Spencer High School class of 1954. He retired to Phoenix 15 years ago after a successful career as an insurance executive in New York City. It's the stage of life when hobbies, grandchildren and travel should replace the appointment book...

South Clay residents invited to attend public hearings (08/07/09)
Three public hearings are scheduled next week to address the South Clay school district's dissolution following the 2009-10 school year. The gatherings will serve as an opportunity for area residents to have their questions answered, as well as a chance to receive additional information about the six contiguous school districts their children and property are expected to fold into in 2010-11. ...

Rep. King announces Spencer stop (08/07/09)
U.S. Rep. Steve King included a Spencer stop as part of a series of town hall meetings in late August. The hourlong Spencer event will take place at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, in the round room of the Spencer Public Library. The address is 21 East Third Street...

As Senate debates, local dealers wait for 'clunkers' payments (08/06/09)
Local car dealership managers acknowledge a bit of confusion and a lot of red tape through the "cash-for-clunkers" stimulus program. They also see a little more traffic on their lots, suggesting at least some aspects of the federal incentive program are gaining traction...

'Patriots' return to protest health care reform (07/30/09)
A visit by Nathan Vander Plaats, staff member for Sen. Tom Harkin, to conduct a listening post on the issue of health care reform at the Spencer Public Library Wednesday morning, served as a call to arms for a small group of area Tea Party Patriots...

Johnson has cancer, plans to retain senate seat (07/28/09)
State Senator and Assistant Republican Leader David Johnson said he fully intends to run again, and is optimistic about recovery after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. "I haven't officially announced that I'll be a candidate again, but I have every intention of running for a third term," Johnson said. "An official announcement is coming within the next 60 days."...

Residents can weigh in on pet cemetery issue (07/18/09)
It won't come to a vote, but residents who want a place of rest for their beloved pet will have a chance to be heard Monday. Members of the Spencer City Council will hold a pet cemetery public hearing as part of the regular meeting Monday night. A 5:15 p.m. public works committee hearing precedes the 6:30 p.m. council meeting at Spencer City Hall. The pet cemetery issue is early on the council agenda...

Bond package concludes 2009 session (05/02/09)
The best thing about the 2009 Legislative session? The adjournment, according to the state senator and state representative serving Spencer and the Iowa Great Lakes. "The winners are the Iowa taxpayers because we're now out of session," said Assistant Republican Leader David Johnson. "We can't do any more damage than we already did."...

Hundreds join tax protest at Clay County Courthouse (04/16/09)
Wednesday's national tax day, tea party government spending protests weren't limited to state capitols and major metropolitan areas. About 275 people filled in around a makeshift podium on the courthouse square in Spencer for a local version of the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) Party. The event was organized by Kris Thiessen of Everly, who co-owns White Glove, a janitorial business in Spencer...

CCE board approves 2009-10 budget, computers purchase (04/15/09)
With no public input offered, Clay Central-Everly school board members adopted the $4.99 million certified 2009-10 budget presented to them Monday night. It retained the 4 percent allowable growth rate approved by state legislators for fiscal year 2010. Next year's budget also sports a $12.52 per $1,000 valuation rate to be levied and an income surtax increase for district residents...

The Representative's representative (04/11/09)
State Rep. Royd Chambers has answered the call of duty this winter. Nancy McDowell answered a lot of calls. And a lot of letters. And a lot of e-mails. Less than a month after he was elected to his fourth term, Chambers learned he would be unable to serve House District 5 in the first session of the 83rd General Assembly. The Iowa Air National Guard member was deployed to Manas Air Base, which is located in the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan...

Spencer board alerted to district's 3.9 percent solvency ratio (03/26/09)
Spencer school board members received a stern warning from a certified public accountant Tuesday regarding the district's current financial situation. After Bruce Frink of Clarion complimented Superintendent Greg Ebeling on his 2009-10 certified budget presentation, he questioned board members about the district's 3.9 percent solvency ratio as of June 30, 2008...

Spencer students participate in 'Kick Butts Day' activity (03/26/09)
Students across Iowa rallied against tobacco Wednesday as they joined thousands of young people nationwide for the 14th annual Kick Butts Day, sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The specially designated day raised awareness about continued tobacco marketing to kids and the need for Congress to crack down on such practices. ...

Off to Washington, D.C.: Economic development effort takes flight (03/26/09)
The quest for better roads and sewer systems begins with support from members of Congress. A delegation led by the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is in Washington, D.C. to get that support this week. Twelve community leaders have set up a series of meetings with Iowa's representatives in the nation's capital. ...

Eggs & Issues set for final installment (03/13/09)
Area residents have one more chance to tell local lawmakers what they want -- or want stopped -- in the 2009 session. The last of four 90-minute "Eggs and Issues" town hall sessions begins at 9 a.m. Saturday morning in Spencer City Council Chambers, 420 Second Avenue West...

Spencer schools proposing to not change 2009-10 tax asking (03/11/09)
Spencer school board members have previewed preliminary budget numbers for next school year and scheduled a 5:30 p.m. public hearing on Tuesday, March 24 for residents to offer their feedback on the certified budget proposed for 2009-10. A second public hearing is set for the same time and date in regard to a budget amendment proposed for this year in the categories of instruction, total support services, non-instructional programs and total other expenditures...

Join 'Friends of Spencer Public Library' (02/26/09)
Are you looking to contribute some time and/or money to a worthwhile cause? Joining the Friends of Spencer Public Library group may fill the bill for you. "The Friends group is very important to the library because it helps to spread the message about the library and helps with marketing for us," Spencer Public Library Director Kay Larson said of the group. ...

Budget cuts concern district patrons (02/24/09)
Members of the Spencer School Board now have two hours of feedback to consider as they re-stack the priorities for another difficult round of budget cuts. Spencer School District Superintendent Greg Ebeling said the district needs to reduce its budget by about $700,000 due, mostly, to continued enrollment declines. He and the Spencer School Board identified 34 areas for potential reduction in a list handed out to district patrons at a public hearing Saturday morning...

Board continues budget discussions, preparations for Saturday hearing (02/20/09)
Due to the late conclusion of Thursday night's Spencer school board meeting, check out a review of what occurred during this work session in Saturday's Daily Reporter. During this meeting, the board reviewed the "additional" budget packages being considered for 2009-10 reduction, input received on each, and then created an initial ranking of them. ...

Eggs and Issues No. 2: Labor issues and taxes (02/17/09)
Labor issues and taxes, which are taking center stage this week as the Iowa Legislature enters its sixth week, also were at the center of several heated comments made during Saturday morning's Eggs and Issues session as the political ideologies of Sen. Jack Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg) and Rep. Marcie Frevert (D-Emmetsburg) differed with those of Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) and Rep. Mike May (R-Spirit Lake)...

City budget on council's agenda (02/13/09)
The Spencer City Council will address the 2009/10 city budget at Monday's 6:30 p.m. session, with the intention of setting a public hearing for March 2. "You have to balance the need for basic core services with quality of life issues that set Spencer apart from other communities...There are several challenges facing the city. ...

Area superintendents respond to lawmaker's proposed school mergers (02/11/09)
An Iowa lawmaker wants to speed up the consolidation of school districts in the state. State Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, says he will introduce a bill to force about two-thirds of Iowa's districts to merge. He wants to target districts with fewer than 750 students, and free up tens of millions of dollars in administrative costs that could be spent on teachers and students...

Citizens Police Academy hosting seventh session (01/21/09)
The Spencer Police Department will be hosting its 7th Citizen Police Academy beginning March 17, and running through May 19. Classes will be held each Tuesday evening starting at 6"30 p.m. and concluding at 8 p.m. Topics that will be covered include, but not limited to: communication center operations, 911, Constitutional Law, search and seizure, laws of arrest, use of force, traffic enforcement, radar, lidar, OWI enforcement, DRE, crime scene processing, criminal investigations, drug investigations, search warrants, juvenile probation, adult corrections, jail field trips and ride alongs.. ...

'Spencer's Spirit of Service' part of National Day Of Service (01/15/09)
Spencer area citizens are being asked to participate in one of over 8,500 events across the nation as part of the National Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19. "Spencer's Spirit of Service" is the local component of the National Day of Service, which was established by Congress in 1994 to be held annually on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. The Day of Service concept has increased in profile this year when President-Elect Barack Obama called on all Americans to volunteer in their communities...

Board strategizes on district budget with IASB financial guru (01/10/09)
As they prepare to embark upon another year of cutting the district's budget, Spencer school board members found a friend in Larry Sigel, the school finance director for the Iowa Association of School Boards, Thursday afternoon. Superintendent Greg Ebeling began the cordial "virtual presence" discussion with Sigel, conducted via a Polycam, by saying, "We know that we're dealing with a constant battle of school finance, like a lot of districts are."...

Area men sentenced for meth deals (01/10/09)
Four northwest Iowa men will spend a combined 53 years and 8 months in prison for their roles in a methamphetamine pipeline. U.S. District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett gave 40-year-old Michael Roth of Spencer the most severe sentence, according to a statement Friday from U.S. ...

Superintendent urges watch on collective bargaining discussion, legislative action (12/26/08)
Spencer school board members have been alerted to speculations that state legislators may once again try to pass a new collective bargaining law, among others, in 2009. As Superintendent Greg Ebeling informed them of this recently, he also encouraged board members to contact area legislators and state legislative leaders in regard to the proposed changes, many of which were outlined during the Iowa Association of School Boards annual convention, held in mid-November in Des Moines...

Johnson, May among state leaders (12/10/08)
DES MONIES -- State Senator David Johnson has again been named ranking member of the Agriculture Committee as well as the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee for the 83rd Iowa General Assembly, which convenes Jan. 12, 2009. "This is a great opportunity to serve my Northwest Iowa constituents and help lead the state in addressing our future challenges," said Johnson, a Republican from Ocheyedan...

Deer season opens Saturday (12/05/08)
Iowa's roadways and designated public areas are sure to become busier this Saturday as the first segment of shotgun deer season begins. The first season, which will continue through Wednesday, Dec. 10, will be followed by a second shotgun deer season scheduled from Dec. 13 through Dec. 21. While many more individuals have requested licenses than have been issued, an estimated 130,000 orange-vested hunters are expected to participate in the two seasons...

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