During Gov. Kim Reynolds' testimony before the U.S. House Oversight Hearing on Government Efficiency, she emphasized the importance of using metrics, data and outcomes when making decisions.
What metrics and data were used when she refused to participate in the federal Summer EBT program for the summers of 2024 and 2025? Participation in 2024 would have provided a full three months of food benefits at $40/month to nearly 245,000 low-income students. Instead, in 2024 she provided $900,000 in summer meals grants. Because outcomes are important to her, how many more summer meals did these grants provide in 2024 versus 2023?
In February 2024, Gov. Reynolds' office denied a request to endorse applications made by counties for federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grants. This is the same program that the governor refused to apply in 2023. Iowa was only one of four states that missed the application deadline. These grants provided $5 billion to state and local governments to help local environmentally-friendly investments to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution. Because our governor did not apply for these planning grants, which did not require a state match, Iowa missed the opportunity to use phase II of the program, a $4.6 billion allocation to help states transition to clean energy economies. The impacts of climate change cannot be ignored. Does our governor know Iowa's investments in renewable energy have grown to represent 59% of state's utility use in 2023. Based on these facts, it would have seemed outcomes which would have resulted from these federal grants would have immensely benefited all Iowans.
In November 2022, Gov. Reynolds' officedeclined to sign off on a federal grant application that could have brought in $30 million in funding for childcare services. Perhaps, the governor's office did not want to commit $3 million in matching state funds toward childcare. Once again, how did the governor use her important criteria of metrics, data and outcomes to decide a mere $3 million in matching funds was not worth the investment needed to receive $30 million for childcare services?
It is a fact that access to childcare is one of the state's biggest concerns. Iowa's budget surplus continues to grow. The governor's FY 2025 budget results in an estimated surplus of $972.9 million. Even in 2022, the governor could probably afford $3 million in matching funds. Perhaps, Gov. Reynolds did not believe receiving $30 million for childcare services was a desirable outcome for Iowans.
Gov. Reynolds states she uses metrics, data and outcomes when making important decisions. If so, why has she refused millions and millions of dollars in federal funding and grants all of which would have helped so many Iowans and their children?
Diane Duncan-Goldsmith of Iowa City is a retired registered and licensed dietitian. She is also a retired director of the Iowa City Comm. School District School Nutrition Program
Political science isn't really a science
"Political Science" is not really a science like Physics, with laws and rational predictability. Perhaps more akin to Sociology? A subjective study of mass psychology, and elections are not always rational (As we were painfully reminded in 2024). But there are valid guidelines.
First lesson for any adult voter: Do not let the pursuit of the ideal get in the way of choosing the better overall candidate.
Second lesson: The choice is not between the voter and the candidate, but between the opposing candidates. Voting against a candidate, by voting for the other, is an old American tradition.
Is Ross Nusser my ideal candidate? Hades, no. I haven't had an ideal candidate since I ran myself. Do I agree with everything he says? Again, not since I ran have I found the candidate with whom I agree 100% of the time, even on major issues. But, in the upcoming Special Election for Council on March 4, Ross Nusser is clearly the better choice.
And I emphasize......CLEARLY THE BETTER CHOICE.
In terms of having a lifetime commitment to making Iowa City a better place....Ross.
CLEARLY THE BETTER CHOICE.
In terms of intellect, maturity, judgment, and community leadership...Ross.
CLEARLY THE BETTER CHOICE.
Remember, everybody can vote on March 4. Put it on your calendar. Do not stay home, like too many people did last November.
Pay attention to the choices. Elections have consequences.
Larry Baker is a former two-term Iowa City Councilmember
Editor's Note: This batch of letters to the editor is carried over from the Saturday, Feb. 15 print edition of the Press-Citizen.