‘Recent News’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 3rd, 2012
Young leaders in your community interested in government and policymaking should consider appling to the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC). A state of Iowa youth advisory council is created to provide input to the Governor, general assembly, and state and local policymakers on youth issues.
The purpose of the youth advisory is to engaged youth to communicate with the Governor, general assembly, and state and local policymakers regarding programs, policies, and practices affecting youth and families.
SIYAC is housed within the Department of Human Rights and is recruiting new members. Any young person in Iowa between the ages of 14 and 20 with an interest in government is encouraged to apply. The SIYAC application can be found by clicking here: http://www.icyd.iowa.gov/SIYAC/
Applications received by May 1st, 2012 will receive priority consideration and new council members will be selected by June 30th, 2012.
If you have any questions contact SIYAC’s Coordinator, Renée Mallo, at renee.mallo@iowa.gov or 515-725-2836.
Tags: Department of Human Rights, SIYAC, State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council, Young Leaders
Category Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 27th, 2012
Republicans slashed over $115 million from an education plan already approved by the Senate today in the Iowa House. Legislators said the latest round of Republican budget cuts in education will slow efforts to grow Iowa’s skilled workforce.
“Iowa students already carry one of the highest debt loads in the country and the Republican education budget will put an even bigger burden on middle class families and students,” said Rep. Cindy Winckler of Davenport, the Ranking Member of the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
“We need to grow our skilled workforce by encouraging more Iowans to continue their education or training after high school. Unfortunately, the Republican plan approved today will make it more difficult for Iowans to continue their education and get a good-paying job,” added Winckler.
House Republicans scrapped a bill approved by the Iowa Senate and replaced it with their own version, which slashed funding by $115 million for state universities, community colleges, tuition assistance and the Iowa Department of Education. Under the Republican plan, community colleges would receive $25 million less and Iowa’s three public universities would receive $65 million less.
The bill, Senate File 2321, now returns to the Iowa Senate.
Tags: Education, Education Budget, House Republicans, Rep. Cindy Winckler
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 27th, 2012
Maria Bribriesco announced her candidacy today for Iowa House District 94.
“My primary effort in the Iowa Legislature will be to keep Iowa a quality place for people to live. I will work hard to keep us moving forward as a quality state where all of us can live, work and raise our families. I support full and adequate funding for our public education, including higher education. I strongly support local control of local public issues. I support genuine transparency in all government records and operations. It is important to the people of Iowa and I fully support their concerns. I support consumer protection.”
Maria grew up the daughter of migrant farm workers in the poorest part of Texas. “I overcame many challenges and I understand and appreciate that a caring community and government financial aid policies helped me to become the successful person I am today,” she said.
Maria Bribriesco recently retired, after 27 years of service, from the Rock Island Arsenal (TACOM) as a supervising attorney-advisor. She is currently in private practice in Bettendorf with her husband William J. Bribriesco. She has a B.A. from St. Edwards University, Austin, Texas (1979), a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law (1983), and is a member of the Iowa Bar since 1983.
She and William have three sons: Alex (Brooke), Anthony (Lexi), and Andrew (Jasmine). Anthony and Andrew are attorneys. Alex is a physician. She has two grandchildren: Ava (age5) and Liam (age 3). Another grandchild is expected in late April.
Maria is a member of the Scott County Bar Association, Iowa Association of Justice, and the American Heart Association’s Circle of Red.
She is an avid softball, volleyball and kickball player, and loves to garden. She and her family are members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bettendorf.
Category Candidates 2012, Recent News, Uncategorized |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 22nd, 2012
House Republicans slashed over $100 million from an education plan already approved by the Iowa Senate today. Legislators said the latest round of Republican budget cuts in education will slow efforts to grow Iowa’s skilled workforce.
“The Republican bill is a step backwards in our efforts to build a highly-skilled workforce. The budget is a reflection of our priorities and affordable education at our community colleges and higher education institutions is clearly not a priority for House Republicans. As the people of UNI know all too well, chronic cuts in higher education have severe consequences and the Republican education plans will make things even worse,” said Rep. Tyler Olson, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee.
House Republicans scrapped a bill approved by the Iowa Senate and replaced it with their own version, which slashed funding by $115 million for state universities, community colleges, tuition assistance and the Iowa Department of Education.
“With Iowa students already carrying the 4th highest debt load in the country, the Republican budget puts one more burden on the middle class while putting college out of reach for too many Iowans,” said Rep. Cindy Winckler of Davenport, the lead Democrat on the education budget committee.
Tags: Education, Education Budget, House Republicans, UNI, UNI budget cuts
Category Education, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 20th, 2012
Kristi Keast of Mt. Vernon officially announced today she will run for the Iowa House in the new District 95, which includes part of Buchanan County and most of Linn County except Cedar Rapids and Marion.
“As an educator, I’ve spent my life encouraging each student to reach their full potential and teaching them to be life-long learners. In today’s rapidly changing world, life-long learning is the most important skill we can give our children to help them land a good job and set them up for a life of success,” said Keast.
Keast is a music teacher at Washington Elementary School in Mt. Vernon and has been in the classroom for 26 years, serving in both public and parochial schools. She graduated from Westmar College in Le Mars and earned her Masters in music education from the University of Iowa. She achieved National Board certification in 2005 and has helped train candidates working to earn their own certification.
“I’ll listen to the people of my district, put politics aside, and work together to find compromise and put Iowans back to work,” added Keast. “I’m passionate about the future of Iowa and excited to meet the people of District 95 to hear their ideas about our future.”
Keast grew up in Southwest Iowa active in 4-H and then served as a leader and project leader when her own kids were in Linn County 4-H. Her family still farms the same land, including her grandfather’s land. She is an active member of the Mt. Vernon Education Association and has served as President of the East Central Uniserv Unit helping support local educators.
Keast is an active member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, serving as a church musician, singing in two groups, instrumentalist , and directing the bells and youth choir. She also participates in the Mt. Vernon Community Band and has worked in community theatre. Keast is a member of the Entre Nous book club and the PEO.
Keast and her husband, Craig, now deceased, have three grown children and three grandchildren.
Tags: House District 95, Kristi Keast, Mt. Vernon, Nate Willems
Category Candidates 2012, Recent News |
