Viewpoints

by Rev. Tom Buresh

To the Editor:
Just before the July 4th holiday, Governor Branstad left Iowa schools in a lurch just weeks before the start of the new school year with a $56 million veto of urgently needed funding. The veto came as a surprise to everyone because his office was part of the final negotiations to close down the 2015 legislative session. At that time, he gave no indication that he was opposed to the school funding plan or that he would veto the agreement. According to school leaders, the veto means larger class sizes, fewer teachers, and higher property taxes.  One school district said yesterday they will operate in a deficit next year because of the veto.
With 6% growth projected in the budget next year and an additional $1 billion in surplus and reserves, we can afford to make a solid investment in our schools next year. The state closed the 2015 fiscal year on June 30th collecting $33 million more.

To the Editor:
It was a mystery to me why Governor Branstad vetoed the $55.7 million for one-time education funds that was a bi-partisan agreement that was reached in an overtime legislation session. The state of Iowa presently has over a billion in surplus and this $55.7 million was returned to the general fund - a mere  .005% addition to the surplus. Do you remember the battle over the budget regarding funding for education in this last session? The Democrats came down to a 1.625% increase (down from 4%) and the Republicans hunkered down and said, “No more money for education beyond the 1.25% increase.” Negotiations stalled and time and overtime ran out. So the Republicans talked it over among themselves and decided to offer to make up the difference with a deal to accept a $55.7 million one-time spending deal if it did not go for teacher’s wages - just supplies, books, gas for the buses, etc. 

To the Editor:
Most churches are involved in some kind of missions work. Some send money, clothing, Bibles, people, or assist with whatever need could be helped. Some even take it upon themselves to go to other countries to help with building projects, doctoring, preaching the gospel, etc.
There is a massive mission field right here in the United States. I read a story years ago about an elderly lady who didn’t have much money and was unable to leave her home very often because of poor health. So what she did was open her phone book and started calling every name in it, page after page, telling whoever would listen about Jesus.
We used to get a lot of calls from various organizations wanting to sell us something. Three or four per day was common. Here is one way you can be a missionary. I do it and it accomplishes two things. It brings to the caller’s mind his or her savior’s name, and it isn’t long before they quit calling. It goes like this:

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Rev. Kim Gates

A design engineer and I recently spoke about the need for more workers trained in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Iowa. He told me that in today’s truly global workplace, students who have not previously considered STEM may be the key to keeping the U.S. competitive. He posed this question to me: “Don’t we owe it to ourselves to make sure that every young person has the chance to make an informed decision on STEM-related careers?”
As the Northeast Regional STEM Manager of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, I’m working with an advisory board and a number of community and business partners to help students learn about STEM fields so they can make those decisions.

... that my holiday reading included a charge that he has refused to enforce laws which are necessary for the public good.
That he has forbidden states to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance unless they agree with his views.
That he has refused to pass laws that would accommodate large sections of the population unless those persons surrender their right to representation, which is a right formidable to tyrants only.
That he has repeatedly ignored opposition opinions that he is invading individual rights of citizens.
That he has worked his will on justices of the courts.
That he has erected a multitude of new subordinate officials and they in turn have unleashed swarms of individuals whose purpose is to harass citizens and thereby insure their own substance.

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Rev. Ron Pederson