This week’s newsletter from Peter Cownie provides some insight into some of his goals as a legislator.  Helping keep young people in Iowa after they graduate from high school and/or college has been a challenge in recent decades.  Reasons for the large numbers of youth leaving the state range from financial opportunity to entertainment to lifestyle.  Ultimately, jobs are key, and attracting young people means attracting companies.  Peter also looks at ways to promote staying in Iowa for college education.

The best question a citizen can ask a person seeking public office is: why are you doing this? Every candidate should have a passion for what he/she is trying to accomplish and remember that passion each time he/she makes a decision. I was asked this

…

Monday January 12 will be the opening session of the 2009 General Assembly.  This year’s session timetable is here.  As was the case the pass two years, both the House and the Senate have Democratic majorities.

We urge you, as the session progresses, to take the time to communicate with your elected representatives.  Go to this link, and find your representative’s name, click on it, and you’ll get phone numbers, email addresses, information about committee assignments and links to bill sponsorships.  I will be in contact with Peter Cownie and Pat Ward, the House and Senate members who represent me here in West Des Moines.

I exchanged emails with Peter last week.  This is his freshman years in the Statehouse, and …