Vilsack Proposes Sweeping Education Changes
Quad-City Times
DES
MOINES — Gov. Tom Vilsack outlined a series of sweeping education
reform objectives Tuesday while warning that Iowa is on the brink of
losing its lofty national reputation unless it embraces big changes and
spending initiatives.
...Vilsack
argued that Iowa must create an “early childhood care and learning
system’’ that provides all children with access to quality, certified
child care and health care services. He argued that the state also must
“substantially’’ increase spending on the current $42 million effort to
better train Iowa’s teachers.
...The
governor argued that education programs should be the first place state
leaders spend new tax revenues. He called on local schools to rework
their budgets and on the federal government to cut red tape tied to
aid.
(more)
Now that's
something we can get behind! All we have to do now is elect a
legislature that actually cares about public education. Can you
say Democrats?
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Thursday, August 12
Vilsack Proposes Sweeping Education Changes
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 12 Aug 2004 04:36 PM CDT
Dems Are a Hit at State Fair Parade!
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 12 Aug 2004 11:51 AM CDT
Dems Are a Hit at State Fair Parade!
A Report from Christina Butts
 Photo courtesy of Christina Butts
Hey, the Iowa State Fair Parade was great yesterday, with a good turn out of charged and energized Democrats! WooHoo! We had a wonderful reception by the crowd. We had IUPAT, Boswell's group, Art Small's bridgade, some Women4Kerry, the DFIA crew, and "George Bush" tagging along for a ride home to Texas. Many thanks to the young man Travis, who leant his time and truck to pull our float. Young Democrats of the future! If this is your only parade of the year with us, Thanks Bunches for showing up and hope you had fun. Thanks for your patience waiting for it to start. Otherwise, I'll be look forward to y'alls this Labor Day, September 6th, around 9-10am for the same thing but the opposite direction to the Fairground, E.30th. Whew, you'll have to train for that one, but it's not any longer than the West Des Moines parade. I'm hoping for that parade, you can take the time and interact with the bystanders and crowd by throwing candy or handing out stickers. Christina Butts - Parade Organizer & Polk County Affirmative Action & Central Committee Member
Quad City Artists Band Together on Voter Registration Drive: August 20th
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 12 Aug 2004 09:35 AM CDT
Quad City Artists Band Together on Voter Registration Drive: August 20th
People for Peace & Ecovilla Coop Present: Imagine…a musical/awareness gathering. Featuring speakers and musicians and poets in various tones and on various topics including (but not limited to) peace, energy independence, and voter registration. Local artists, poets and Paul Reveres will share their talents and thoughts for an evening of real "infotainment." Place: The Bayer Building at 228 W. 3rd in Davenport Iowa Friday, August 20th, beginning at 6:00pm Featuring: (tentatively) Strange Neighbors, Hum-digga, and others Also, don't miss these upcoming movies! The Brew and View Presents: Orwell Rolls In His Grave at 6 & 8pm on September 13th "A marvel of passionate succinctness...refrains from preaching to the choir" -- Ronnie Scheib, Variety "...A documentary that skewers the news media and its owners in a way that seriously chills and disturbs, and is the best rabble-rousing piece of its kind I've ever seen" -- Jeffrey Wells, HOLLYWOOD elsewhere Fahrenheit 9/11 will be coming in late August "The Corporation" coming late September --The Corporation: An unprecedented box office hit in Canada, is now launching across the USA. Coming this fall also to Australia and the UK. Winner of eight audience choice awards including one from the Sundance Film Festival, the film inspires people to ask: What can I do now? The Brew and View 1611 2nd Avenue, Rock Island, IL 309-788-VIEW Movie line 309-788-2558 This information courtesy of The Deprogrammer "Quality Deprogramming for the Quad Cities"
Iowa: Financing Private Schools with Public Money
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 12 Aug 2004 04:58 AM CDT
Iowa: Financing Private Schools with Public Money
by Darrell Lewis Iowa is one of only six states nationwide that gives tuition tax credits for private schools. The Iowa law goes even further by permiting the credit for books, fees and other educational purposes thereby assuring every parent (even if they don't pay tuition because of income) access to this money. The tax credit in Iowa is limted to $250 per year. This past year the Republican legilsature voted to increase that to $700 per year; however, it was vetoed by Gov. Vilsack who stated that Iowa simply didn't have the financial resources to give away so much additional money. Take note that Iowa gives a TAX CREDIT...not just a deduction. This means a person's income taxes are reduced by the full amount of the credit. In addtion to the tax credit, Iowa public schools are required to provide transportation for private school students and other forms of financial assistance. While there is certainly merit to the state helping support the education of all children regardless of whether the school is public or private, public money must first be spent on public education and until such time as public education fully meets the needs of its students and teachers, no further subsidies should be given to private schools. As one of only six states with private tuition tax credits, Iowa has clearly gone beyond what is the norm nationwide in supporting private education. Why do Republicans continue to further erode public education? This article originally appeared on the Drury for Iowa Senate website. |
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