Good column, Rekha. I had the same positive thoughts as you when I read about Senator Herman Quirmbach’s first letter cautioning the Regents about their heavy-handedness on curriculum, and more recently Senator Quirmbach praising the Regents’ultimate decision to let some academic freedom shine again. Thank you, Regents. Another good sign: Despite the initial recommendations of the state’s “DOGE” group to blow-up IPERS, Iowa’s Speaker of the House Pat Grassley and Senate Major Leader Jack Whitver — both Republicans — quickly responded that they’re not interested in doing that.
It’s important to remember that Governor Reynolds has perverted Iowa’s political balance law which says every board and commission must have no more than 50% plus one member from one political party. The goal is to share power. But the Regents, with nine members, has five Republicans, two “no party” members and only one Democrat. The ninth member is a rising sophomore at UNI and has no political affiliation listed. Reynolds gets around the balance law by appointing independents and virtually ignoring Democrats on all boards and commissions. So the Regents largely caving to her ultra-conservative, backwards policies is not a surprise. I view the Regents’ vote on curriculum the gentlest of push backs.
Thank you for your perspective, encouragement and thoughtful reflection. Your “voice” brings me hope and is so appreciated and needed. It gives me a boost to carry on for the work needs to be done - for Iowa, for our country and democracy and our world. Let’s carry on!
Thank you, Kelly! That's great to hear. Sometimes I also get tired of calling out what's wrong, and need some positive momentum to highlight. I'll keep looking for other examples to keep us forging ahead!
Rekha's column, combined with her reporting on what Senator Quirmbach advocated, is a much-needed dose of how to fight back. I only hope other elected officials and candidates learn from the Senator how to use their megaphones and bully pulpits to speak out.
Thank you for this. While power often is contradictory and regressive, pointing this out will persuade some that problems exist. You are one vital voice in identifying the contradictions, falsehoods, and uncontrolled power-seeking that abound today.
Thank you, Rekha, for this wonderful analysis of some of the craziness that’s being tamped down in Iowa. The Governor is losing her power, thank goodness. Another example is the 12 Republican Senators who refused to vote for the budget bill unless they were allowed to have a vote related to the CO2 pipeline. It passed the Senate, but sadly was vetoed by our out of touch of Governor. Again, thanks.
Thank you, Susie. That's a great example. Hopefully these moves will motivate more people to take courageous stands on issues that affect them or their loved ones.
Thank you! This gives me hope that Iowa will once again stand up and care for its people – hope that I have not had under Reynolds or this Republican Congress for way too long!
Thanks for reporting again in a responsible and meaningful way, Rekha! You so right in saying that we should all keep talking and writing with well thought out and fact based responses to the actions of elected and appointed officils.
Good column, Rekha. I had the same positive thoughts as you when I read about Senator Herman Quirmbach’s first letter cautioning the Regents about their heavy-handedness on curriculum, and more recently Senator Quirmbach praising the Regents’ultimate decision to let some academic freedom shine again. Thank you, Regents. Another good sign: Despite the initial recommendations of the state’s “DOGE” group to blow-up IPERS, Iowa’s Speaker of the House Pat Grassley and Senate Major Leader Jack Whitver — both Republicans — quickly responded that they’re not interested in doing that.
Thanks Chuck. Yes, the response to DOGE on IPERS is encouraging!
Excellent essay! Your report brings a ray of light and hope to the the darkness in Iowa surrounding racial and LGBTQ rights.
Thank you, John!
It’s important to remember that Governor Reynolds has perverted Iowa’s political balance law which says every board and commission must have no more than 50% plus one member from one political party. The goal is to share power. But the Regents, with nine members, has five Republicans, two “no party” members and only one Democrat. The ninth member is a rising sophomore at UNI and has no political affiliation listed. Reynolds gets around the balance law by appointing independents and virtually ignoring Democrats on all boards and commissions. So the Regents largely caving to her ultra-conservative, backwards policies is not a surprise. I view the Regents’ vote on curriculum the gentlest of push backs.
Excellent point, Dave. Thank you.
Thank you for your perspective, encouragement and thoughtful reflection. Your “voice” brings me hope and is so appreciated and needed. It gives me a boost to carry on for the work needs to be done - for Iowa, for our country and democracy and our world. Let’s carry on!
Thank you, Kelly! That's great to hear. Sometimes I also get tired of calling out what's wrong, and need some positive momentum to highlight. I'll keep looking for other examples to keep us forging ahead!
Thanks for sharing this! The positive progress must be highlighted… it’s hopeful!
Thanks, Suzanna! Yes, we need to keep pushing back and stay hopeful.
You provide a much needed perspective.
Thanks, Jules!
This is a great break-through that gives hope! Thanks for another excellent column.
Thanks for reading them, Pat!
Rekha's column, combined with her reporting on what Senator Quirmbach advocated, is a much-needed dose of how to fight back. I only hope other elected officials and candidates learn from the Senator how to use their megaphones and bully pulpits to speak out.
Thank you, Ralph. Here's hoping that happens.
I think I once asked Gammack to have a panel on recent examples of pushing back.. This could be one.
Thank you for this. While power often is contradictory and regressive, pointing this out will persuade some that problems exist. You are one vital voice in identifying the contradictions, falsehoods, and uncontrolled power-seeking that abound today.
Thank you, Leland. The broader the diversity of voices of opposition, the better.
Thank you, Rekha, for this wonderful analysis of some of the craziness that’s being tamped down in Iowa. The Governor is losing her power, thank goodness. Another example is the 12 Republican Senators who refused to vote for the budget bill unless they were allowed to have a vote related to the CO2 pipeline. It passed the Senate, but sadly was vetoed by our out of touch of Governor. Again, thanks.
Thank you, Susie. That's a great example. Hopefully these moves will motivate more people to take courageous stands on issues that affect them or their loved ones.
Thank you! This gives me hope that Iowa will once again stand up and care for its people – hope that I have not had under Reynolds or this Republican Congress for way too long!
Thank you, Rekha, for reporting some uplifting news.
Thank you, Jim, for your support!
Thanks so much for reporting this.
Thank you, Lynne!
Thanks for reporting again in a responsible and meaningful way, Rekha! You so right in saying that we should all keep talking and writing with well thought out and fact based responses to the actions of elected and appointed officils.
Thank you, Mary!
Thank you for such an influential article. Nice to see a bit of sunshine in an otherwise gray administration.
Utmost respect Rekha.
Thank you, Gus!
Add Iowa City to the Iowa school districts that are protecting gender identity. They recently changed their original vote to now support it.
Thanks, Catherine. Iowa City is mentioned in the column.
Oops. Sorry.