Puerto Rico Status Vote Falls Short of Statehood Push
Editorial notes the House passage of the United States Puerto Rico Political Status Act by 209 to 208 but warns the slim margin likely ensures Senate action is unlikely. It argues statehood remains far from reality and stresses that final status will require multiple congressional votes and broad public understanding.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hough
Puerto Rico
House of Representatives
House
Senate
Commonwealth
United States
District of Columbia
Congress
Preservation push eyed for fading national treasures
Federal officials warn Washingtons Smithsonian flag and other national treasures face deterioration. A Clinton budget priority seeks 100 million over two years to fund preservation of items from the Star Spangled Banner to the Declaration and Civil War monuments.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fort McHenry
Baltimore Harbor
Francis Scott Key
Washington
Smithsonian Institution
Clinton
Congress
Mary Young Pickersgill
U.S
National Archives
Gettysburg
Topeka
Kan
Thomas Alva Edison
Abram Joseph Ryan
Iowa Taxpayers Rights Amendment Debated in House
The Iowa House will debate the Iowa Taxpayers Rights Amendment this month to cap the growth rate of state taxes and spending. The measure has 42 sponsors and would let Iowans vote on the limits, with no sponsor from Bill Brand. A call to action urges contacting a state representative at 515 281 3221. Laurence Fish, Urbana.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
State of
House
Gazette letter submission guidelines from The Gazette
The Gazette outlines a 300 word limit for letters. Include name street address and daytime phone number. only name and hometown will publish. Mail to Cedar Rapids Gazette Box 511 Cedar Rapids Iowa 52406 or fax 319 398 5846 or email gazette fyiowa infi.net.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Gazette
Local option sales tax debate stirs reader opinions
Readers in Cedar Rapids and Linn County weigh in on proposed local option sales tax. Voices urge spending the saved money on churches, United Way, arts, kids education, and local services, while others question distribution and impact on rural residents. The exchange includes cost projections, pork barrel concerns, and calls for tax reform.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United Way
Linn County Trails Association
Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids Symphony
Gazette
Wendell Clifton
Marion
Andy Rooney
Des Moines
Linn County
Alvin J. Cummings
Walker
U.S. Supreme Court
Congress
Midwest
Experienced teachers and student outcomes in math and science
Anne Thing of Cedar Rapids argues for higher teacher pay and better resources to improve math and science achievement, linking veteran teachers' insight to student success and critiquing early retirement tactics discussed in The Gazette and Cedar Rapids School Board debates.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joanne Jacobs
the Gazette
Teachers Union
Cedar Rapids School Board
Cedar Rapids
Funnel week stalls bills on mental health parity in Iowa
Claudine Harris of Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Iowa urges open legislative discussion as funnel week ends with many bills stalled. She notes 15 states have parity laws and reports no adverse insurer impact, advocating broader debate on mental health coverage in Iowa.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
General Assembly
Iowa
Claudine Harris
Alliance For the Mentally Ill of
Iowa City
Balancing Help for the Blind With Practical Cost
Walt Stromer argues that providing Braille or large print ballots and daily newspapers for the blind is noble but costly. He notes Iowa data on Braille demand, discusses hand tabulation and lighting needs, cites transit bumps debates, and urges consideration of money and practicality alongside accessibility.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
State Library
Des Moines
Iowa
Washington, D.C
Transit Authority
Newsweek
U.S. News
Nation
National Review
NPR
Also Mentioned on This Page
Baby Spice
Joe Hladley
Ken Slaughter
Uver
Dale Larson
Jerry Elsen
Mark Bowden
Laurence Fish
Urbana
GOCR
Dan Hoffmann
Bob Olson
Mike Kettering
Troy Mills
Anne Thing
Walt Stromer
Mount Vernon
Cornell College
Stromer
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