Statehouse News
February 26, 2010

The 2010 legislative session is underway and we have a lot of work ahead of us. My priorities this year include balancing the budget, quality education and creating good jobs. I encourage you to contact me with your ideas and suggestions.

If you have any friends who are not on the list encourage them to subscribe here. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

I look forward to serving you.

Greeetings to you all!

As cell phones and “smart” phones continue to gain popularity, we’ve all witnessed erratic drivers who are distracted by these devices instead of giving the road their full attention. It’s a dangerous situation for all on the roadways, but especially for teenagers still learning the rules of the road.

Overwhelmingly supported by Iowans, I believe this common sense bill will prevent accidents and save lives.

As Iowa members of the Guard and Reserve continue to play a key role in military operations overseas, I’ve been working to help military families in education, health care, employment, custody issues, and voting. With nearly 4,000 Iowans on the verge of deployment later this year, Iowa is on track to be the first state to address all ten of the Department of Defense’s top quality of life issues for military families.

With our proud commitment to education, Iowans understand that good teachers are the key to boosting student achievement in the classroom. After watching Iowa’s finest teachers leave the state for better pay in places like Texas and Illinois, the Legislature enacted a plan three years ago to make teacher salaries more competitive with other states and keep more young teachers in Iowa. According to a new report, our plan worked. In just three years, teacher pay in Iowa surged from 42nd to 26th in the nation.

In another boost to our renewable energy efforts, a new study by the American Wind Energy Association has increased Iowa’s potential for generating wind energy. Iowa now generates about 3,670 megawatts, which is second in the country, and the study has increased Iowa’s potential to 370,000 megawatts, about four times greater than previously estimated. This places Iowa 7th in the country in potential. The main reason for the increased estimate is better technology. Improvements in wind technology, as wind turbines are much taller and able to tap stronger winds, have made turbines more productive.

In a move to hold insurance companies accountable while helping cancer patients, Governor Culver signed a bill this week to make sure insurance companies provide routine care for patients who are participating in cancer clinical trials. The goal is to make sure doctors and patients can decide on the best cancer treatment available without worrying about losing their health insurance. Given this issue is often a roadblock to getting people to participate in clinical trials that offer hope for many with cancer, the measure should help boost participation and cancer research.

February and March Community Events:

25-3/7 Three Tall Women Strayer Wood Theatre, 273-6381
26-28 Moon Over Buffalo Oster Regent, 277-5283
26 Waterloo Black Hawks Young Arena, 7 pm, 232-3444
26 UNI Spotlight Series Gallagher- Bluedorn, 7:30 pm, 273-4849
26 Mystery Dinner Theatre Park Place, 6:30 pm, 266-9994
26-27 Books, Cooks & Beer: Cook-Off & Tailgate Party University Book & Supply, 266-7581
26-28 The WOW Convention Downtown Cedar Falls, 277-0213
26-28 On Target Gun & Knife Show McElroy Auditorium, Waterloo, 234-7515
27 UNI Men’s Basketball vs. Illinois State McLeod Center 7 pm, 273-4849
28 Beers to You and Gourmet Too Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center, Waterloo, 3 pm, 273-3660
3/2-4 Hawkeye Farm Show UNI-Dome, 507-437-4577
3/5 Soweto Gospel Choir Gallagher-Bluedorn, 7:30 pm, 273-4849
3/5-7 The Hobbit Hope Martin Theatre, Waterloo, 235-0367
3/5 Winter Music Series: Easy Street Waterloo Center for the Arts, 7 pm, 291-4490
3/6 W-CF Symphony - Music of the Americas Gallagher-Bluedorn, 7:30 pm, 273-4849

State Representatives Bob Kressig and Deborah Berry meet with American Cancer Society members Anne Marie Goldhom, Danielle Fitzgerald, and Alice Baruth as they visit the Capitol on February 24, 2010.

State Representative Bob Kressig meets with a group from Covenant Medical Center of Cedar Falls as they visit the Capitol on February 24, 2010.

Texting While Driving Ban Passes House

In an effort to improve safety on Iowa’s roadways and save lives, the House approved a ban on text messaging, instant messaging, and e-mailing while driving this week.

Numerous studies have shown that texting is one of the more serious distractions, even showing that a person who is texting is 23 times more likely to be in an accident. Read More

Care of Animals Legislation Passes to Governor

In an effort to protect pets and pet owners, the state will be authorized to inspect federally licensed commercial establishments which breed and care for cats and dogs. The inspection cannot take place unless a complaint has been filed with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

This was one of the recommendations from a ten member interim committee that met last fall. Livestock is exempt from these requirements. Read More

Study Increases Iowa’s Wind Power Potential

In another boost to Iowa’s renewable energy efforts, a new study by the American Wind Energy Association has increased Iowa’s potential for generating wind energy.

Iowa now has wind generation of about 3,670 megawatts, and the study has increased Iowa’s potential to 370,000 megawatts, about four times greater than previously estimated. This places Iowa 7th in the country in potential. Read More

Contact Bob:
bob.kressig@legis.state.ia.us
3523 Veralta Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-266-9021 (Home)
515-281-6312 (Capitol)