Des Moines Register Staff Blogs » From the Right

Parents Are Capable of Teaching Their Children to Drive

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:18:54 +0000

The Iowa House in their education reform bill, HF 215, passed a number of educational liberty items, one of which is giving parents the ability to teacher drivers’ education for their children. This is currently being debated in the conference committee, and it is something that the homeschooling community has wanted for years. The editorial [...]

My Prospective Senate Candidate List

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:07:47 +0000

Now that Congressman Steve King is out, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds has opted out, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey decided not to run Thursday – the potential field is in flux. Remaining Republican potential candidates that are on the prospective list at the moment are: Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz Former State [...]

Common Sense and Biology Thrown Out the Window

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:02:50 +0000

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled 6-0 Friday morning that same-sex married couples have the same “right” as heterosexual married couples to have both spouses names on a child’s birth certificate. The Des Moines Register reports: Justices ruled 6-0 to require that the Iowa Department of Public Health begin listing both married parents on a [...]

Lt. Gov. Reynolds Leaves the GOP Senate Prospective List

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:33:46 +0000

The potential list for Republican Senate candidates just got a little smaller. Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds in an email to supporters this afternoon said that she will not be running for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacant after Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) retires. I’m not surprised by this decision. The Republican field is [...]

Ed Reform Conference Committee: The Good and the Bad

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:00:00 +0000

The Iowa Legislature conference committee meeting on education reform was a shining moment for House Republicans to standing firm on educational freedom.

Expanding Medicaid Will Bankrupt Iowa

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:30:00 +0000

Radio Iowa reports that 26 Democrats in the Iowa Senate voted last night to accept federal money in order to expand Medicaid. The 26 Democrats in the Iowa Senate voted tonight to accept federal tax dollars to cover more low-income Iowans who’re uninsured – another chapter in a long-running dispute with Iowa’s Republican governor. Democrats [...]

An Improved Bullying Bill That Respects Boundaries of Authority

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:19:24 +0000

I reported last week that the Iowa House Bullying Bill (HSB 196) that addressed “cyberbullying” survived funnel week as it was passed out of the Iowa House Education committee. I had contacted several Republican members of that committee and I was assured that it would be amended. As you recall my primary concern with the [...]

Should Schools Be Given Authority to Address Cyber-Bullying?

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:16:34 +0000

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad last week announced a bill that was the result of the anti-bullying conference, HSB 196, was filed in the Iowa House. The language was produced by School Administrators of Iowa, and the bill will be floor managed by Josh Byrnes (R-Osage) and has passed out of the subcommittee it was assigned [...]

A Common Sense Bill, Why is Iowa Taxing Money?

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:17:52 +0000

House File 346, a bill filed in the Iowa House, would make gold and silver coins legal tender in the state of Iowa.

Iowa Needs to Fight Against Subpar Standards that Threaten State Sovereignty

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:41:33 +0000

Where are the Iowa House Republicans in their opposition to the Common Core State Standards?

The Mixed Bag of a House Education Reform Bill

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 23:44:22 +0000

The Iowa House passed HF 215, Governor Terry Branstad's education reform bill, here are the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of this bill as amended.

Discussion That Is Missing in Iowa’s Education Reform Debate

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:21:15 +0000

Christopher Tienken dismantles the Common Core State Standards and speaks out against standardizing knowledge and the loss of local control in education.

Why The Surplus Should Go Back To Iowans – Now

Art Smith — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:23:06 +0000

The Des Moines Register’s editorial this morning provided a concise (for Democrats) explanation about why Iowans should not get their $800 million over-payment returned to them. It’s to be expected that now that there is extra revenue coming in, we see the Left drooling over the opportunity to spend our money. It’s a wonder [...]

The Power of the Branstache

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:58:59 +0000

Money quote of the week from Iowa Democrat operative, Greg Hauenstein, from the National Journal: Explaining Governor Branstad’s 12-0 record in elections. Hauenstein (tongue in cheek) said, “there’s power in that mustache.” Maybe he’s on to something here. Democrats are trying to find Branstad’s vulnerability. Alex Brown of the National Journal pointed out: Both publicly [...]

Harkin’s Retirement Gives Republicans an Opportunity in 2014

Shane Vander Hart — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:49:05 +0000

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) said that he will not run to seek a 6th term. This will be the first time in 30 years that a U.S. Senate seat has been open, and our 2014 dynamic in Iowa has just been shaken up. With Republicans focused on taking back the U.S. Senate in 2014 it [...]

The Most Liberal Inaugural Address in My Lifetime

Shane Vander Hart — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:40:56 +0000

In what was the most liberal inauguration address in his lifetime, if not American history, Shane Vander Hart dissects Obama's 2nd Inauguration Address.

Dan Muhlbauer Approves of State-Initiated Theft of Semi-Automatic Weapons

Shane Vander Hart — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:30:58 +0000

Iowa State Representative Dan Muhlbauer (D-Manilla) would like to see Iowa pass a ban on semi-automatic weapons for potential and current gun owners.

Politicizing Sandy Hook

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:11:25 +0000

It is unfortunate that the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and Americans in general have not even had the chance to mourn before this horrific event is being turned into a political opportunity. I knew it was coming, it always does after an event such as this, but I had hoped, naively [...]

Governor Branstad, We Don’t Need More Anti-Bullying Laws

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:48:05 +0000

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad gave comprehensive remarks about bullying at his bullying summit, but isn't ruling out additional anti-bullying legislation.

I Educate Therefore I Assess?

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:24:40 +0000

The Iowa Department of Education released it's 2012 annual report that calls for more student assessments statewide which will mean less local control.

Hell is Now Frozen, The Des Moines Register Endorsed Romney

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:52:58 +0000

The Des Moines Register's endorsement of MItt Romney may be a tipping point for the rare undecided voter.

Life Matters

Art Smith — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:08:12 +0000

Of all of the issues that fall before us this year, “Life” has the most significance to me. All of the other issues pale in comparison, and my innermost desire is to do everything I can to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy life as it is meant to be enjoyed. My motivation comes [...]

It’s Time for a New Sheriff in Town

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 18:40:04 +0000

There is a lot of interest in the Polk County Sheriff’s race this year. It is the only county-wide election this year, the incumbent, Sheriff Bill McCarthy (D-Des Moines), has a challenger, Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy, Sgt. Dan Charleston (R-Runnells), who has been campaigning hard for months now and has driven the narrative that this [...]

Active Judicial Retention Elections Are Healthy for Iowa

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 22:43:30 +0000

In 2010 when over 500,000 Iowans voted no on retaining Iowa Supreme Court Justices Marsha Ternus, David Baker and Michael Streit it sent shockwaves across the legal establishment. What? You’ve injected politics into the judicial process the Iowa Bar Association claimed! This newspaper and others said we’ve tainted the judicial system as a result. I [...]

Here’s The Evidence, Now Will Christie Vilsack Support Voter ID?

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:50:11 +0000

Former First Lady of Iowa, Christie Vilsack, said during her last debate with Congressman Steve King in the Iowa 4th Congressional District race that she didn’t believe there was any evidence of voter fraud. According to the debate transcript she said: I think that we should do everything in this country, especially since we are [...]

A Case Study for Why Corporate Tax Reform Is Needed

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 21:55:36 +0000

Governor Terry Branstad should be commended for his role in landing the Orascom Construction Industries’ investment of a $1.4 billion dollar fertilizer plant in Lee County. This will provide 165 permanent jobs which will be vital for Lee County as Southern Iowa has been hard hit by the recession. Also the thousands of construction jobs [...]

Obama, Taxes and Middle Class Iowans

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:08:27 +0000

President Obama’s visit to Iowa City tonight comes on the heels of his nomination acceptance speech last night at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. Iowans should take note of what he doesn’t talk about, namely health care reform and the failed stimulus., since he mentioned neither last night during his speech. He did talk [...]

When “Following the Rules” Becomes Abusive

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:12:31 +0000

The rules battle at the Republican National Convention this week seemed to be an exercise in tit for tat. It was a direct response to what the Paul campaign started in January. They were extremely organized. They followed the rules. They understood the caucus to convention process better than anyone else, and they used it [...]

Push Branstad on Local Control and School Choice

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:59:49 +0000

Fresh from my inbox an email from the Governor Branstad Committee: Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds want to hear from you! They embark on a new round of education town halls this week, and they will be gathering ideas and input on how we can make Iowa schools the best in the country [...]

You Can Bet on Another Branstad Assault on Local Control

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 19:21:14 +0000

Do you remember when Republicans used to be considered the party of local control? I don’t think they can accurately be portrayed that way anymore, at least not when you look at the leadership within the party. There has been a bipartisan assault at the federal level by former President George W. Bush with No [...]

West Des Moines Community Schools Should Just Thank Lutheran Church of Hope

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 23:45:00 +0000

I lived in Valley Junction in West Des Moines, IA when Hillside Elementary was being built. It seemed like a waste of money to me then as there were already two elementary schools in the area, and one early childhood center. I’m sure there was a good reason for building it as West Des Moines [...]

Iowa’s Dead Last in Student Achievement

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 22:15:00 +0000

A new study commissioned by the Harvard Program on Education Policy and Governance and EducationNext was recently released. They compared student achievement internationally and among the states. They studied the improvement trend in 41 states from 1992 to 2011 looking at four different U.S. tests specifically looking at performance in math, science and reading of [...]

Vilsack Playing Politics with Drought

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 03:59:42 +0000

Iowa hasn’t seen a summer like this since 1957, Iowa’s crops, corn in particular, are at risk which in turn will have a trickle down effect on our economy as we see food prices go up. Leave it to Christie Vilsack to not let a crisis go to waste in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District race [...]

Iowa Needs to Repeal Its Own Mandate

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 22:15:00 +0000

Much as been made of HHS mandate out of the Obama administration requiring employers, even faith-based ones, to provide coverage for contraceptives. What most Iowans likely don’t know is that Iowa has its own mandate, as reported today by The Iowa Republican: Iowa specifically prohibits health insurance plans that provide benefits for outpatient prescription drugs, [...]

Bruce Braley’s Election Year Maneuvering

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:00:00 +0000

It’s an election year so suddenly everybody is for tax cuts. Congressman Braley, however, must not have gotten the message from President Obama that taxes on those making more than $250,000 must not be allowed to keep the tax cut. So is Braley a champion for tax cuts now? Hardly. His opponent, Ben Lange, called [...]

Marshalltown Aquatic Center is Not to Blame for Iowa River Drownings

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 06:00:00 +0000

I meant to comment earlier about WHO TV’s story on the tragic drowning of four children in the Iowa River near Marshalltown last Thursday, but just lacked the time. First I’d like to say that I’m saddened by the loss of these kids whose lives were lost. I hurt for their families, I can’t possibly [...]

Budget Surpluses Should Spur Tax Cuts Not Increased Spending

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Rod Boshart of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported on Independence Day that Iowa’s tax revenue grew by 5% in FY2012: The state treasury closed with a 13.6 percent surge in tax collections in June to end the 12-month period $289.5 million ahead of last fiscal year for net receipts — a 5 percent increase that [...]

Branstad’s Opposition to Medicare Expansion is the Right Decision

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 22:51:06 +0000

Governor Terry Branstad reaffirmed his opposition to expanding Medicaid during a press conference today calling it the Federal attempt at blackmail. Good! He said that the long-term expenses of expansion is unsustainable. He said we can’t afford to add another 150,000 people to Iowa’s Medicaid rolls. Too many times the Federal government has left states [...]

How Does the Supreme Court’s Obamacare Ruling Impact Iowa?

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 06:12:13 +0000

We’ve all heard (unless you live in a cave somewhere) that the Supreme Court upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act yesterday. Now how does this impact Iowa? 1. Those who are voluntarily uninsured will now be faced with a tax. The ruling was very clear that ObamaCare as a mandate under the Commerce [...]

A Retraction of Sorts re. Stephanie Jones

Shane Vander Hart — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:56:35 +0000

I’ve been taking some heat about comments I made about Stephanie Jones who ran for State Senate in Senate District 14. The first thing I said is that I believe (an opinion) that she lacked the temperament to be in the Iowa Senate. I based this off of her arrest last March for public intoxication [...]

My Endorsements for Tuesday’s GOP Primary

Shane Vander Hart — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 22:00:00 +0000

I’m only getting involved in a handful of contested primary races, but I wanted if you live in any of these districts to encourage you to vote for these candidates. If you don’t and have any friends voting in the Republican primary in these districts please share this with them. You can click on each [...]

Braley, Boswell, and Loebsack Support Prenatal Gendercide

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:15:44 +0000

Yesterday HR 3541, the Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act of 2012, failed to pass as it required a 2/3 majority vote since House rules were suspended. 168 members of the House believe it is ok to perform selective-sex abortions. This is an area where there should have been some agreement, but instead most of the Democratic caucus [...]

Republican Party of Iowa Evicts Polk County Republicans

Shane Vander Hart — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:26:37 +0000

Apparently this just came out Friday, Kevin Hall reports that the Republican Party of Iowa evicted the Polk County Republicans from their headquarters. They gave them three weeks to move. They site “security” problems with volunteers coming in and out. Shouldn’t this be seen as a good thing? I’d think that perhaps A.J. Spiker may [...]

Iowa DOE: Concerned Citizens and Parents Are Not Customers

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:15:00 +0000

The Iowa Department of Education desires your feedback provided that you are a teacher, administrator or some other school employee. Apparently a parent (or even a student) is not considered a “customer.” They do list an “other” option for the first question that asks “please choose the option that best describes your position.” So I [...]

State Department Ignoring Open Records Law While State Toughens It For Cities and Counties

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:21:35 +0000

Remember we just saw an expansion of the state government in the name of transparency? Governor Branstad just signed that bill into law today and it only applies to municipal and county government. Just today I reported on the Iowa Department of Public Defense ignoring Iowa’s open records laws. But don’t worry we don’t need [...]

School Start Date Mandate Thwarted Again

Shane Vander Hart — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:23:13 +0000

Whew! The mandate to dictate to local schools when they can start class reared its ugly head again when an amendment – S5249 was offered for the Senate standings bill. Fortunately the amendment’s germaneness was challenge by Senator Robert Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids) and was soon after found to be non-germane to the bill by Senate [...]

A Pity Party for the Professional Student?

Shane Vander Hart — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:30:00 +0000

Rekha Basu laments the student loan debt that has piled up for a young woman in her mid-30s with no “marketable skills” largely because she’s pursued degrees in religious studies and Indian Catholicism (what the heck is that?). She carries a debt of $185,000. We’re supposed to feel sorry for her. Exactly what is the [...]

Republicans Expanding Government Again In the Name of Transparency

Shane Vander Hart — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:02:15 +0000

I know transparency is a good thing for government and I certainly would not want to discourage it. I have to wonder though, do we really need a new agency for it? Sure I understand that other states have agencies like this, but that doesn’t mean we have to. Exempt from the bill are the [...]

The Iowa Supreme Court and Education Standards

Shane Vander Hart — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:30:00 +0000

I was intrigued with a Des Moines Register story from last week about the Iowa Supreme Court refusing to reinstate a lawsuit based on disparities in education. Basically a group of parents and students from Des Moines, Davenport and West Harrison brought a lawsuit which alleged the existence of a “disparity in educational outcomes (in [...]

Informational Texts Don’t Make the Grade

Shane Vander Hart — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:27:33 +0000

In light of Governor Branstad and the Iowa Department of Education’s desire to align the Iowa Core with the Common Core State Standards I thought I’d share a list of ten reasons why our kids need more literature, not less. This list was complied by Dr. Steven Lynn who is the Dean of the Honors [...]