Iowa cigarette tax debated to bridge Medicaid budget gap
Iowa legislators weigh raising the cigarette tax to shore up Medicaid funding while pursuing separate reforms. The Gazette notes a $0.36 base tax is low versus neighbors and argues a $0.60 to $0.72 hike could yield $70 million to $100 million, reducing smoking and long term Medicaid costs, with bipartisan caution about overreach.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
OWA
Republican House
American Lung Association
Tom Vilsack
Iowa
Missouri
the Gazette
State General Fund
Social oppression of women and community grants debate
Readers push back on grants for women excluding social work careers, arguing entrepreneurship like restaurants and day care aid self sufficiency. A Cedar Rapids letter advocates Christian values, lawfulness, and reduced court load, while another writer praises a holiday tree lighting and urges daily acts of kindness.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kcrg-Tv9
Pamela Pudzuvelis
Cedar Rapids
Reader misses Dave Barry humor in contrast to Ivins
A reader from Vinton compliments Dave Barry and says Ivins’ pessimism is unneeded noting Jan 2 as last day they read Molly Ivins columns. The writer cites balance and humor as a preferred tone. John Stiegelmeyer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dave Barry
Molly Ivins
Ivins
Barry
John Stiegelmeyer
Vinton
Green space dream vs landfill concerns in Marion
A letter writer shifts from opposition to supporting a 144 acre landfill site in Marion citing potential benefits. The piece argues Cedar Rapids pushes waste problems outward and questions who bears costs and land loss if the plan proceeds, urging better regional solutions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Marion
Cedar Rapids
Pastor’s Dec 13 letter cited. author urges biblical context
Reader responds praising the pastor’s Bible use yet argues the text was misapplied. He notes Old Testament punishment before Christ and emphasizes worship, love for God, and understanding the laws. He states Jesus’ birth, life, and death fulfilled Scripture and carried sins away. Lighted tree on Edgewood lifts spirits as lights on Pine tree brighten the area.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
God
Sonya Slabach Kalona
Jesus
Edgewood
Not My God. A Jewish Voice on Christians and Christmas
A Jewish writer explains that respect for Christianity does not require accepting Jesus as divine. He cites shared values, warns against government faith entanglements, and notes Jewish belief while affirming reverence for Christian faith and scripture.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Gazeette’s
Ibrahim Hooper
Washington
Hooper
Illinois
Post-Dispatch
Jesus
Islam
God
United States
Missouri
U.S. House
Senate
Also Mentioned on This Page
Edgewood Road
O Avenue
The
Solid Waste Agency
Ciara
Doms. Cope
Christ
Abraham
Moses
Jesus of Nazareth
Eric Mink
Hasette
Mark Bowden
Gazette
Doug Neumann
Dave Storey
Kim Hefley
Peg Schmitz
Scott Swenson
Public Gazette
Joe Hladky
Chuck Peters
Ken Slaughter
Gazette Samunications
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