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I recently paid visits to
several Iowa school districts, including Twin Cedars Community
School District in rural Marion County, where I met with
Superintendent and Elementary Principal Brian VanderSluis. We
discussed my school district consolidation proposal, what's
happening in Twin Cedars and a variety of ways that schools can
save money.
I appreciate all the suggestions that local educators and
administrators have offered as we look for ways to make state
government more efficient and lean going into the 2010
legislative session. |
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Dallas-Melcher Superintendent
and Elementary Principal Steve Mitchell. |
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North Polk Superintendent Dan
Mart. |
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On September 29, a study
committee examining the care of companion animals by commercial
breeders held a public meeting at the Statehouse. We
heard testimony from many organizations, including Iowa Voters
for Companion Animals, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the
Humane Society, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the
Iowa Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Animal, and the Iowa Pet Breeders Association. For
more on the work of the committee, go to
www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Committees/
Committee.aspx?id=486. |
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Congratulations to Jason Oglesbee of Des Moines.
He was awarded a 2009 Governor's Lifesaving Award at the Iowa
State Fair for risking his life to save a drowning woman.
Congratulations also to Wendy Sharlau and Phil
Skrdlant, both of Des Moines. They received the Governor’s
Lifesaving Award for helping to save the life of a co-worker
who’d suffered a major heart attack by using an AED and
performing CPR until paramedics arrived.
The Governor's Lifesaving Award recognize Iowans
who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save
someone's life or who have unselfishly assisted in an emergency
situation. |
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State Senator Matt McCoy listens to constituent concerns, May
11, 2009 |
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Des Moines residents join State Senator Matt McCoy for coffee
and a discussion of the 2009 session, May 11, 2009 |
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Des Moines residents join State Senator Matt McCoy for coffee
and a discussion of the 2009 session, May 11, 2009 |
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State Senator Matt McCoy discusses the 2009 legislative session
and how the Des Moines area will benefit, May 11, 2009 |
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Earlier this week I had the opportunity to
entertain my Senate colleagues with a barbeque at my
home. Pictured to my left are Sen. Rob Hogg, Drennan Fischer,
Sen. Swati Dandekar and Sen. Joe Seng. |
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In this 5 minute video, Senator Matt McCoy
discusses his perspective on the Supreme Court's April 3
decision that Iowa's marriage law is unconstitutional. |
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State Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines reacts
Friday morning to the reading of the Iowa Supreme Court's
unanimous decision that a ban on gay marriage is
unconstitutional. |
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Senator McCoy is interviewed in front of the
Judicial Branch Building on the Iowa Supreme Court's decision in
Varnum v Brien. Read the Court opinion at
www.judicial.state.ia.us. |
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The 21st Century Forum hosted a lunch at the Iowa Statehouse on
March 31. The group of young
professional Iowa Democrats ia a
forum to discuss and debate political, social, economic and
business-related topics.
I met with Grant Woodard and David Adelman, two members of the
group, during the lunch. |
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Des Moines resident Janice Wright is a survivor
of domestic abuse. She shared her story recently with Senator
Matt McCoy at the Statehouse. Wright is one of 31 Iowa women
whose story and photo is part of a new exhibit traveling the
State to raise awareness. In 2006, there were 77,256 calls to
the Iowa Crisis Hotline for Violence and Sexual Abuse. Senator
McCoy said he intends to continue State help for the victims of
domestic abuse. Katie Thompson of Hartley, a survivor of
domestic abuse, took the photos. |
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March 12 was the Iowa Chiropractic
Association Day on the Hill. I met with
executive director of the Iowa
Chiropractic Society Dan Garrett of Des Moines and Dr. Mary Audia
from Coralville. |
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I met with Chris Brown of Des Moines at the
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Day
on the Hill. AFSCME Iowa represents 40,000 public employees
including law enforcement and correctional officers, home health
care and child care providers, firefighters, mental health
workers, professional school staff, emergency responders, and
many other workers. We discussed a variety of labor issues in
front of the legislature this year, including prevailing wage
and choice of doctor. |
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YMCA held their annual legislative breakfast at
the Statehouse on Wednesday, March 11. The YMCA serves thousands
of Iowans through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and
body. I met with Chase Hunt and Vicky Foresman of the YMCA of
Greater Des Moines, and Vernon Delpesce, the President and CEO
of the YMCA of Greater Des Moines. |
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I spoke at the LGBT & Ally Student Day at the
Capitol's legislative reception on Wednesday afternoon. I always
enjoy the opportunity to listen to students’ experiences and to
dialogue with them. |
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Rev. Aaron
James provided the opening prayer in both the Iowa House and
Senate chambers on February 25. Representative Jo Olson and I
hosted him. |
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On February 21,
Representative Jo Oldson joined me in conducting a well-attended
listening post at Des Moines University. |
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Harvey Martins shares his views on pension taxes
with me at the Des Moines University forum. |
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Cal Woods discusses local issues with Julie and
Bruz Linn at the Des Moines forum on February 21. |
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I've introduced legislation to cut administrative overhead at
Iowa schools by reducing the number of superintendents to 99,
one per county. This would save $ 22 million a year
and could lead to more savings as other administrative staff are
consolidated. I'm in favor of consolidating
superintendents to help preserve local schools. |
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I met February 17 with Jeff Kurtz and other
members of the Locomotive Engineers Association to discuss the
future of high speed passenger rail and freight service. |
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I met with a group from the Brain Injury Association of Iowa in
the Statehouse rotunda on February 10. |
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I had the opportunity to talk with students from One Iowa on
February 10. They were at the Statehouse as part of One Iowa's
"Fairness for all Families" initiative to promote marriage
equality for everyone. |
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The Iowa Grocers Association was at the Capitol February 10. I
met with Will Golberg, Rod Smith and Gary Jordon, employees of
Fareway, in the rotunda. |
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Three community college students visited the
State Capitol on February 4 to thank lawmakers who supported
Iowa’s wind energy expansion efforts. Students Spencer Baak of
Newell and Kary Haglan of Des Moines talked with me about
continuing support for Iowa’s community colleges and the Iowa
Power Fund. A two-year program at Iowa Lakes Community College
in Estherville to train students to learning to build and
maintain wind turbines will grow from 71 students this year to
102 students next year. Graduates typically receive 10 to 20 job
offers when they complete their courses. |
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I visited with Jeff Kurtz and Chuck Hintz,
members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
on January 28. BLET is part of North America's oldest rail labor
union and represents locomotive engineers, conductors, brakemen,
firemen, switchmen, hostlers and other train service employees
on numerous railroads. |
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Darold Powers, a member of the Older Iowans
Legislature, was at the Capitol on January 28. We discussed
ways to improve the quality of life of Iowa's seniors. Learn
more at their website,
www.olderiowans.org. |
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On January 22, I met with 35 Lincoln High School
leadership students and their teacher, Andrew Gross. I listened
to their concerns and ideas and shared with them what it's like
to be a state legislator. |
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Lincoln High leadership students. It's always
great to dialogue with young people who are interested in what
they can do to make their community and the world a better
place. |
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Shortly after President Barack Obama's
inauguration on January 20, Senator Jeff Danielson and I hung
his portrait in the Senate Chamber. This is a tradition in the
Legislature when a new President takes office.
Iowans played a key role in making Barack Obama
the 44th President of the United States, and thousands from
around the state headed to Washington, D.C. for the inaugural
festivities.
Among them were members of the Iowa National
Guard. In fact, of the 7,000 Guard members activated nationwide
for inauguration duty, 1,000 were from Iowa. They assisted with
security, transportation, traffic control and other activities.
Thank you to our men and women in uniform for always answering
the call of their Commander in Chief. |
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