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Category: Burlington
Class 1A
1st Team
Taylor Hickey Burlington Notre Dame 12
Brianna Wells Newell Fonda 12
Tori Hazard Janesville 10
Macy Williams Fremont Mills 12
Rylee Voss English Valleys 12
Shayla Dean Colo-Nesco 12
Rachel Smith Exira Elk-Horn Kimballton 12
Sarah Halse Central Lyon 12
2nd Team
Johanna Vaske Bishop Garrigan 12
Riley Kilbride Burlington Notre Dame 11
Hattie Davidson Northwood-Kensett 12
Carleigh Paup Paton-Churdan 11
Rachel Mercer Kingley-Pierson 11
Sarah Matus Springville 12
Lysandra James Lynnville-Sully 12
Kaitlyn Johnson Van Buren-Keosauqua 12
3rd Team
Shelby Hembera Cedar Valley Christian 12
Alecia Kimball Dunkerton 11
Callie Calfee Bedford 12
Sarah Dreckman MMC (Marcus) 11
Madison McGregor Rockford 10
Madie Sorenson Adair-Casey 9
Olvia Barrett GMG 12
Shelby Reicks Turkey Valley 10
Coach of the Year Dick Jungers, Newell-Fonda
Class 2A
1st Team
Nicole Miller North Linn 12
Jamie Gesink Western Christian 12
Kari Fitzpatrick Edgewood-Colesburg 12
Kassidy DeJong Unity Christian 12
Gracey Griglione I-35 (Truro) 10
Haley Birks South Central Calhoun 12
Elsa Anderson Des Moines Christian 12
Anna Kiel Unity Christian 11
2nd Team
Morgan Muhlbauer IKM-Manning 12
Julia Groenenboom North Mahaska 12
Anna Yung St Edmond, Fort Dodge 12
Chelsey Lampe Highland, Riverside 12
Hallie Linhart Central Decatur 12
Steffi Cunard Logan-Magnolia 12
Kailey Burke Hinton 11
Faith Troshynski Manson-NW Webster 11
3rd Team
Beth Atwood Pekin (Packwood) 11
Lindsey Koch Hudson 12
Katie Lindeman Grundy Center 11
Gabby Reyerson West Marshall 11
Maddie Boer North Linn 12
Carolyn Trumm Cascade 12
Kelsey Pretz Columbus 12
Olivia Verhulst Dike-New Hartford 12
Coach of The Year- Brian Wheatley, North Linn
Class 3A
1st Team
Elle Ruffridge Pocahontas Area 10
Arika Wooldridge Center Point-Urbana 11
Andrea Larson Mediapolis 12
Kati Cassabaum Nevada 11
Kate Walker Red Oak 12
Heidi Hillyard Mediapolis 12
Emma Dau Spirit Lake 12
Serena Parker Shenandoah 12
2nd Team
Amber Schubert Sergeant Bluff-Luton 12
Kaely Hummel Cherokee, Washington 11
Karlee Grabau Crestwood, Cresco 12
Blair Klostermann Beckman, Dyersville 12
Maria Dentlinger Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 12
Rachel Freland PCM, Monroe 12
Abby Stephenson Nevada 10
Kaye Faber Clear Lake 12
3rd Team
Allison Platte Mount Vernon 12
Faith Meyer Pocahontas Area 10
Madison Sickles Crestwood, Cresco 12
Ellie Friesen Osage 9
Jill Vander Plaats Sioux Center 12
Jessica Speake Hampton-Dumont 11
Mackenzie Rogers Mediapolis 9
Lexy Koudelka Nevada 9
Coach of the Year – Kristin Meyer, Nevada
Class 4A
1st Team
Claire Marburger Perry 12
Jess Schaben Harlan 12
Gabie Doud Ballard 11
Taylor Frederick Harlan 11
Megan Maahs Western Dubuque 11
Rose Simon-Ressler Western Dubuque 12
Mariah Criswell Winterset 12
Payton Keeney Carlisle 12
2nd Team
Deja Jackson Grinnell 12
Jacionna Stowers Davenport North 10
Grace Berg Indianola 9
Jinaya Houston Davenport North 10
Emily Knittel Ballard 12
Agatha Beier Carlisle 10
Tristan Beaulieu Sioux City Heelan 12
Taylor Wagner Harlan 12
3rd Team
Hali Hilligas Charles City 12
Kaleigh Haus Carlisle 12
Katie Vander Molen Pella 10
Maggie Lowe Perry 12
Kelsi Phipps Mount Pleasant 12
Karli Rucker Eldridge, North Scott 10
Samantha Fritz Fairfield 10
Jordyn Moser Harlan 11
Coach of the Year – Zach Klaassen, Harlan
Class 5A
1st Team
Audrey Faber Dowling Catholic 12
Makenzie Meyer Mason City 11
Reilley Jacobson Waukee 11
Meredith Burkhall DM Roosevelt 12
Grace Vander Weide WDM Valley 12
Mikaela Morgan Iowa City West 12
Rachel Hinders Johnston 11
Ashley Joens Iowa City High 9
2nd Team
Becca Hittner Dowling Catholic 11
Stephanie Botkin Cedar Rapids Kennedy 12
Molly Sanders Ames 12
Lela Sellers Cedar Rapids Kennedy 11
Adrienne Boettinger Cedar Falls 12
Ashton Donels Southeast Polk 11
Dani Craig Iowa City West 12
Carlie Littlefield Waukee 10
3rd Team
Chrislyn Carr Davenport West 9
Annabel Graettinger Muscatine 12
Hannah Fuller WDM Valley 10
Taryn Knuth Johnston 10
Kennedy Childers Dowling Catholic 12
Kennedy Kracht Urbandale 12
Lana Lindstrom Pleasant Valley 11
Courtney Joens Iowa City High 11
Coach of the Year – Chris Guess, Waukee
News from the Hill…
This week there wasn’t any floor action on the Iowa House Floor to make time for the subcommittees and committees to meet. Once the week is complete there will be a lot fewer bills that will be eligible for debate. This time of year there are people happy to see some bills survive and some bills not survive. At the same time there are people unhappy to see some bills survive and others not survive. So the process is a lot like life, it is all about one’s perspective.
Education Funding…
There has been a lot of talk about K-12 education funding lately. Schools are funded by a mixture of taxes coming from state collections, property taxes, sales taxes and income surtax. In addition there is a few dollars that comes from the Federal Government, but they are taxes also. Over the last five years the state has increased the amount of money sent to the school districts $570 million, a nearly 22% increase. The total investment made by taxpayers to K-12 education on a statewide average is about $10,200 per student per year. The amount most often talked about is the dollars in the Foundation Formula, or the State Cost per Pupil, which is $6,366 per student per year. But the foundation formula only makes up a portion of the investment by taxpayers. The State Legislature sets the Foundation Formula which is made up of state tax collections and property taxes. This growth quite often in the past has been referred to as a percentage of increase. This year the Iowa House has passed an increase of 1.25% increase, which would equate to a total of $6,446 per student. The Iowa Senate has passed an increase of 4% increase, which would equate to a total of $6,620 per student. Doesn’t seem that far apart. However, the difference between the total additional dollars is $112 million dollars that the state doesn’t have. The total increase from the Iowa House plan totals about $98 million of that there is about $48 million additional dollars in the Foundation Formula and $50 million towards teacher leadership package. The total increases of new spending from the Iowa Senates plan would be $159 and 51 for a total of $210 million. This year the State of Iowa has an additional $200 million to spend over what was spent last year. The House plan commits approximately half of the new money to K-12 education. That leaves an additional $100 million to invest in Health and Human Services, Public Safety, and Natural Resources. There will have to be cuts made at the state level to fund the schools at 1.25% increase. The question to the Iowa Senate would be, if you want to increase spending $210 million to the schools, where are you going to make the cuts that will need to be made? This is what they don’t want to tell you that they want to charge it to the credit card and worry about how to make that up next year. Well I have seen what happens when government spends money like that before, taxpayers always lose.
Commerce Committee…
One of the bills that survived the funnel and was passed out of the Commerce Committee this week was HSB 104. This bill is the Governor’s broadband bill to help expand the availability of broadband in Iowa. The bill establishes a grant program, but because of the lack of available funds there isn’t any money to be awarded at this time. The bill does establish criteria for the application and selection in the grant program. The grant cannot be greater than 10% of the total cost of the project and has to be used on broadband infrastructure that has the capability of twenty-five megabits of speed downloading and three megabits upload speed. The broadband infrastructure has to be installed in an area that does not have those speeds available at the time of installation.
Your Opinion Matters…
I always appreciate the people who take the time to write a letter, send an email or contact me about what is important to them. I personally read everyone; I don’t always respond if there does not seem to be a response warranted. The best way I can represent you is to know where you stand on the issues. That does not mean we will always agree, but certainly respect your opinion. I try to base my decision on facts, not emotion. I try to do what is in the best interest of the people of the district I represent, not just a few. I have told people every year that I would not permit politics to remove my integrity, my integrity is still intact. I have said that I would be willing to make the tough decisions when others buckle at the knees. I have been able to stand my ground and make the tough decisions when necessary to do what is in the best interest of the people of the district and state.
“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” – Abraham Lincoln
For more information on these and other bills: www.legis.iowa.gov
Until next time,
Tom Sands
Matthew H. Hallman, 52, Burlington, died Saturday, March 7, 2015
Evelyn Jeanne Logan, 78, Burlington, died Saturday, March 7, 2015
Darlene Jean Newton, 76, Burlington, died Saturday, March 7, 2015
Marcille “Marcy” M. Walker, 88, Flagler Beach, FL, formerly Sperry, died Sunday, March 8, 2015
Richard Mauer, 78, of Burlington died Monday, March 9, 2015
Warren A. Gieselman, 84, Burlington, died Thursday, March 12, 2015
Infant Maria Brielle Hand was stillborn Monday, March 9, 2015
Virginia A. Kindig Philpott Fenton, 93, Burlington, died Saturday, March 14, 2015
Notre Dame falls to Newell-Fonda in Semifinal, 63-56
Notre Dame Senior Taylor Hickey (32) is consoled by her father, Asst. Coach Dan Hickey, following their 63-56 loss to Newell-Fonda in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday. (Left of Hickey) Asst. Coach Brianna Duncan, Asst. Coach Jim Myers, and Head Coach Kollin Alfred.
Tearful Notre Dame Teammates are presented the State Class-1A Semifinal Trophy at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday. Nikes were hoping for back-to-back Class-1A Championships, but fell to Newell-Fonda in the semifinal, 63-56.
Notre Dame’s Kori Mesecher goes to the basket against Newell-Fonda in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame’s Johanna Myers (12) hauls in a rebound over Newell-Fonda’s Abby Smith (30) in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame’s Riley Kilbride shoots over Newell-Fonda defenders in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame Head Coach Kollin Alfred shouts encouragement to his team in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame’s DeeDee Gilbert shoots between Newell-Fonda defenders in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame’s Courtney Coffin drives between Newell-Fonda defenders in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame’s Taylor Hickey looks to the basket against Newell-Fonda in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame’s Gabrielle Koelker (30) drives past Newell-Fonda’s Morgan Magnussen (14) in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame’s Courtney Abolt passes around a Newell-Fonda defender in the Class-1A Semifinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame Assistant Coach Jim Myers waves after being introduced at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Wednesday.
Notre Dame Nikes pose after the game with their “2015 State Semifinalist” trophy.
Front (l-r): Riley Kilbride, Jayla Kreiss, Courtney Coffin, Taylor Hickey.
Back (l-r): Hannah Delaney, Courtney Abolt, Alyssa Schwartz, Kori Mesecher, Gabrielle Koelker, DeeDee Gilbert, Johanna Myers, Team Manager Makaela Kreiss.
Categories
Target to layoff thousands
Notre Dame Nikes celebrate their 78-60 victory over Central Lyon in the Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Nikes will meet Newell-Fonda in the Semifinal Wednesday night.
Notre Dame’s Kori Mesecher shoots over Central Lyon’s Mattie Knobloch in the Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Notre Dame defeated Central Lyon, 78-60.
Notre Dame’s Riley Kilbride (left) fights for the ball with Central Lyon’s Ivy Sieperda (3) in the Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Notre Dame defeated Central Lyon, 78-60.
Notre Dame Fans cheer their team on in the Class-1A Quarterfinal against Central Lyon at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Notre Dame defeated Central Lyon, 78-60.
Notre Dame’s Johanna Myers shoots around Central Lyon’s Mattie Knobloch in the Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Notre Dame defeated Central Lyon, 78-60.
Notre Dame’s Taylor Hickey drives toward the lane in the Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Notre Dame defeated Central Lyon, 78-60.
Notre Dame’s Alyssa Schwartz looks to pass against Central Lyon in the Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Notre Dame defeated Central Lyon, 78-60.
Notre Dame’s Courtney Coffin brings the ball down court against Central Lyon in the Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Notre Dame defeated Central Lyon, 78-60.
Notre Dame’s bench enjoys a lighter moment in the fourth quarter of Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Left to right: Jayla Kreiss, Dee Dee Gilbert, Courtney Abolt, Alyssa Schwartz, Gabrielle Koelker.
Notre Dame’s Gabrielle Koelker drives past Central Lyon’s Ivy Sieperda (3) in the Class-1A Quarterfinal at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Monday. Notre Dame defeated Central Lyon, 78-60.
Categories
Obituaries this week
News from the Hill…
This week the bill to increase the fuel tax passed. There has been lots of information about that in the press and in my previous two newsletters. The bill passed with 53 ayes, 46 nays and 1 not voting. I voted no, enough said.
Funnel Week Coming…
This next week is what is referred to as the first funnel. By March 6, all House bills need to be passed out of a House Committee and all Senate bills need to be passed out of a Senate Committee. The bills that do not survive this first funnel are done for the year. There are some exceptions, bills that deal with appropriations, taxes or fees are funnel proof. In addition bills that come out of Government Oversight are funnel proof, also. So there will be lots of committee time this next week and most likely no floor action.
Prison Boondoggle…
Director Phipps told the Government Oversight Committee there is an additional $20 million being requested by the General Contractor, Walsh Construction, for equitable adjustments. When asked for specifics, the Director was unable to give examples of the equitable adjustments and could only tell the committee the request is made when a company believes it has provided additional resources or labor not part of the original bid. The committee was unable to get additional information on these equitable adjustments from the Director. This $20 million in equitable adjustment requests had not previously been shared with Representatives during the Oversight investigation. The Director was unsure if the State would have to pay the additional money. The Director may be unsure, but I am sure the TAXPAYERS should not be sending anymore money until this mess is fixed.
Currently there is no estimated date to open the prison. I am concerned it could be another year before the new prison is occupied.
The bi-partisan House Oversight Committee will continue to push for answers from all parties involved with the construction of the prison. Within the next week, members are expecting more detailed answers and documents from Department of Administrative Services. Once those documents have been reviewed the committee will be calling in more individuals involved with the prison construction to understand how all the problems occurred and to find a solution to ensure problems of this magnitude never happen again.
Zero-Based Budgeting…
The House State Government committee voted last week on HF 1; a bill requiring state agencies and departments, as well as the judicial branch to adopt a zero-based budgeting approach. The bill passed out on a party line vote 12-10. Predictably, Democrats opposed this plan which limits the growth of government spending.
Currently, State executive departments and agencies use estimates based on 75 percent of funding provided for the current fiscal year, and the form for budget submission is decided by the director. The judicial branch operates on the same procedure. With this bill, executive departments and the judicial branch will be required to use zero as their base approach when determining their budgets. Additionally, it requires the departments to prioritize requested expenditures, with support as to why every request is needed. Government is growing faster than what it can be sustained and this approach helps to get better control of the spending. I have supported zero-based budgeting practices for over 30 years, long before I came to the Legislature. It is time Iowa moved to this approach.
“Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.” – Theodore Roosevelt
For more information on these and other bills: www.legis.iowa.gov
Until next time,
Tom Sands