West Burlington IA News-Sports-Opinion

Obama signs international treaty that empowers companies in China or any other country in the world to demand ISPs remove web content in the US with no legal oversight whatsoever.

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Photo by Dan Hockett

West Burlington’s Jazlan Boyd hits a layup to tie the game 64-64 with 12.7 seconds left against 11th ranked Notre Dame Thursday night in West Burlington. Notre Dame’s Alex Yacko then hit a short jumper as time ran out to give Notre Dame a 66-64 victory over West Burlington.

Photo by Dan Hockett

West Burlington’s Emily Siefken goes to the basket against Notre Dame Thursday night in West Burlington. Notre Dame defeated West Burlington, 66-64.

News from the Hill…
Iowa's economy continues to be better than the national economy, but is not showing much improvement. Economists were saying, as we entered into the recession, that the recovery would be slow. They obviously were right and it appears the growth in the economy is still fairly flat. The only bright spot in Iowa's economy is agriculture and agricultural businesses. They continue to shine.

Interest rates have been forced down by the federal monetary policy to help spark the national economy. As you can see, it has done nothing to help the economy grow. What it has done is penalize all retirees who have done everything right in their lives, saved a nest egg to retire on and now they see it slowly disappearing due to bad decisions at the federal level. Why do some believe that individual success should be penalized and the lack of that success be rewarded?

Blessing or Curse…
Iowa’s cash reserve accounts are full with $600 million dollars, which is needed for the state to pay its bills on time. There is $250 million dollars in one-time ending balance and $200 million dollars in on-going revenue growth for fiscal year 2013 which starts in July of this year. Some are viewing this as a billion dollar surplus. This could not be further from the truth. The big spenders who are not fiscally responsible are licking their lips trying to figure out all the ways to spend the money. The problem is all of their ideas have been ongoing expenditures and the ending balance and cash reserves are onetime revenue source. Using onetime money to fund ongoing expenditures is what they did a few years ago and we are still trying to recover from that mess. Fiscal responsibility is a must and keeping spending under control is part of that formula. Government cannot grow faster than those who fund it and their ability to pay.

Help or helping…
The biggest reward received as an elected official is being able to accomplish something for a constituent who needed your assistance. However, the biggest disappointment is not being able to accomplish success for your constituents no matter how hard you try. We serve the people and always need to try.

Open Dialog with Governor…
The property tax bills are still on track to find compromise and move forward. Governor Branstad set aside time for Senator Bolkom on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the senate plan and time with me on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the House plan. I continue to have open and honest discussions to mitigate the shift and to have broad base reform. The House Republicans have moved from our original proposal to address concerns of the Governor, the Senate Democrats and local governments. The Governor has moved from his original proposal to address concerns of the House Republicans, Senate Democrats and local governments. The Senate Democrats have refused to move.

One thing we know for sure is no more “studies” like the last administrations and previous general assemblies. It is a complex issue and is not easy to explain, with a lot of misinformation that is being spread. In Iowa we call that fertilizer, but it needs to remain out in the fields. We know that if nothing is done on property tax there is going to be a major shift to the residential property tax payer over the next ten years. This is knowledge that is shared by all who understand the present system. This is why it is imperative to have action and not lip service this year.

“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” - Abraham Lincoln

For more information on these and other bills: http://www.legis.state.ia.us

-Tom Sands
Ways & Means Chair
13247 130th Street
Wapello, IA 52653
Cell: (319) 750-1423

NASA released a stunning 64-megapixel photo of Earth from space.

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Researchers have found that regularly eating fried foods is okay for the heart as long as you use olive oil or sunflower oil.

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Siefken sinks winning free throw and sets school career rebound record (694)

Photo by Dan Hockett

West Burlington’s Emily Siefken focuses before sinking the winning free-throw against Holy Trinity with only 3-seconds left on the clock Tuesday night in West Burlington. Siefken also set the school career rebound record at 694, breaking the old mark of 686 set by Tasha Sleister (1995-1999). West Burlington defeated Holy Trinity, 48-47.

Photo by Dan Hockett

West Burlington’s Emma Shipley (top) and Holy Trinity’s Claire Dupuis (bottom) collide fighting for control of the ball Tuesday night in West Burlington. West Burlington defeated Holy Trinity, 48-47.

Holy Trinity Defeats W.B., 53-45

Photo by Dan Hockett

West Burlington’s Keven Chng looks to pass the ball against Holy Trinity Tuesday night in West Burlington. Holy Trinity defeated West Burlington, 53-45.

Photo by Dan Hockett

West Burlington’s Springer DeRosear heads to the basket after stealing the ball away from Holy Trinity Tuesday night in West Burlington. Holy Trinity defeated West Burlington, 53-45.

Radiation Storm to hit Earth Today

A powerful solar eruption is expected to blast a stream of charged particles toward Earth today (Jan. 24), as the strongest radiation storm since 2005 rages on the sun.

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The Supreme Court has ruled that law enforcement needs a search warrant before tracking a suspect with a GPS device

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"I think this economy is about to fall apart," she said.

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Falcon,

For someone who may not understand the differences of the two major parties. The following link will take you through the history of the two major political parties of the United States of America.

This is a good checklist to see where you stand

http://flhspatterson.pbworks.com/f/politicalparties%5B1%5D.htm

-Pro America

At 11:18PM Friday night, the Iowa GOP reversed themselves and declared Santorum the winner of the Iowa Caucus.

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Iowa Lawmakers say Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is being abused as cities pile up over $2-billion in TIF debt.

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Falcon,

Don't mean to nitpick but that's a picture of a lioness (female lion), not a cougar that you have attached with the "school mascot..." article.

Thanks for noticing. We didn't have a photo of a cougar on file so we used the next best thing.. a lioness.

-Falcon

School district says cougar is insensitive to women

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