Legislative Forums
Representatives from around the state hold open forums for the public to attend. Below are the scheduled forums updated each week.
Week 1 (January 15-January 21)
Week 2 (January 22- January 28)
Week 3 (January 29-February 4)
Week 4 (February 5- February 11)
Week 5 (February 13-February 18)
Week 6 (February 19- February 25)
3 Comments for “Legislative Forums”
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Hello, my name is Craig Rathje. I’m from Cedar Rapids, IA and I’m an Engineer for the Crandic railroad. I’ve been an employee there for 21 yrs. I would like to personally thank all of you for serving the State of Iowa. I became more interested in politics over the last few years.
There may be discussion this yr. on traffic cameras being used by some communities. In order to become an efficient and sustainable state and more importantly, a safer state. I plea to you to allow for the cameras that benefit public safety to stay in place. I feel it’s important for a person to take a serious look at the statistics that come from the use of these cameras. It’s working, and it’s needed. Now in the 21st century, it’s important to use modern technology in finding efficiencies and sustainable solutions. Remember, in saving one life, in fact I’m sure several lives have been saved, it alone makes it well worth it. For there is no price on human life.
I’m one public citizen against radical drivers. It’s important to remember drivers need to curb their tendencies of talking on the phone, texting, reading, eating, smoking…etc. This idea of using cameras, should each and every time, remind people driving it’s a privilege to drive and it shouldn’t be abused.
I have heard that representatives from camera companies first approach the chief of police in any given city. They ask them to try to convince the city council to approve the use of the cameras. If the cameras are voted in by the council, after a couple of years you hear that the police chief is leaving for another job. That job ends up being with the camera company which has promised the police chief a great paying job at their company if he can help get the cameras approved. It’s sort of a You scratch my back I’ll scratch yours deal. And they laugh all the way to the bank.
If no revenue was collected by the city they would have no interest in the cameras and everyone knows it. Safety is merely a word that some people find hard to argue against. In the case of traffic cameras it is 100% about the money. Please don’t lie to us and say it’s for our safety. Iowans don’t like to be lied to. Let Iowa say NO to these vultures who do nothing to earn an honest living-unless preying on Iowans they don’t know or care about is an honest living. They are laughing at Iowa.
Our representatives are in office to represent the people of Iowa(not themselves. If this was put to a vote the people you are “representing” would vote no. Let’s forget about being Republican or Democrat and keep Iowa’s money in Iowa and find a better more Iowan way to promote safety. (i.e. longer yellow lights)