Editorial calls for clear rules on legislative pay during absences
The Gazette urges Iowa lawmakers to set guidelines for when to forgo compensation during absence from the Senate. It notes State Senator Steve Bisenius worked in Washington and drew both state salary and per diem while seeking federal work, then plans to resign. The piece argues lessons from his case should shape future expectations for earning the $13,700 annual pay.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Steve Bisenius
Cascade Republican
Washington, D.C
Federal Environmental Protection Agency
Bisenius
Washington
Iowa
Senate
Reagan Plan Aims at Cutting Job Training Costs
The Reagan administration proposes a 1.8 billion two year plan to run job training for youth. Most funds would cover actual training with stipends and many admin costs removed. State governors would allocate funds to area councils to reduce bureaucracy.
Williams Case Provokes Reflective Critique of Public Trust
A columnist critiques Harrison Williams of New Jersey over Abscam tapes, calling his conduct sleazy and degrading for lawmakers. The piece argues both lawmakers and FBI agents erred in encouraging illegal acts and stresses a lasting doubt about government integrity.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Harrison Williams
New Jersey
Williams
FBI
Entrapment and Abscam Echoes in Political Fear
A Democratic president and FBI entrapment worries loom over the Abscam cases. The author argues FBI targets and potential executive overreach threaten the legislature, noting Pressler’s tarnished reputation and Harrison Williams’ likely acquittal on entrapment grounds. Fear rather than justice clouds the affair.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
FBI
Abscam
Larry Pressler
South Dakota
Harrison Williams
Senate
Executive Branch
Legislative
Nonpartisan information access after PIO closure
Letters to the Gazette argue that moving PIO duties to the House chief clerk risks reducing information for citizens. Mona Martin of LWV Iowa says the change hurts public access, especially outside legislative sessions, and will not match prior PIO services.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
House Public Information Office
House
League of Women Voters of Iowa
LWV Iowa
Mona Martin
Des Moines Register
PIO
General Assembly
Call to cut presidential benefits to aid education
A letter urges Congress to trim Reagan era spending arguing that funds for the president’s private home, travel, and post-presidency fringe benefits divert resources from education and social programs. It cites costs for White House housing, flights, Camp David travel, Nixon’s New York office, Truman flowers and Ford watering, and calls for broader budget cuts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
White House
Camp David
California
New York City
Nixon
UNI band rehearsal praise and community commendation
A Cedar Falls letter praises University of Northern Iowa students seen during a two hour band rehearsal. The writer notes no drug use or disorder and lauds education funding, Robert Dean and UNI musicians. Also thanks for the Follies production and memories from Rich and Micki Sievert.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls
Robert Dean
UNI
Process Theology questioned by Biblical omniscience
A reader rebukes a March Outlooks column on Process Theology, arguing an all knowing God cannot be limited. Citing scriptures from II Timothy to Malachi and Isaiah, the note asserts God’s unchanging nature, foreknowledge, and prophetic accuracy, while denying deterministic control over human choices.
Tragedy Hits St Patrick’s Parade Society Leader Ed McGinty
The St Patrick s Day Parade Society mourns vice-president Ed McGinty who died last week. The message to his wife Jean and daughter Lori speaks of irreplaceable memories and his humor and grace. The note honors his legacy as the emerald stripe painter and beloved Irish friend.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ed McGinty
Jean
Lori
Concept of God in Fran Elsen’s Outlooks column
A reader critiques Fran Elsen’s March 9 Outlooks piece claiming she presents herself as omniscient. The letter rejects her Process Theology view that God is not determining events yet is involved in everything as shallow and contradictory compared with common beliefs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Job of Old
Hell
Fran Elsen
Earth
God
Also Mentioned on This Page
J.F. Hladky, Jr
Board of
Joe Hladky III
John Donnelly
John Robertson
Art Heusinkveld
the Gazette
Ceta
Labor Department
Nixon White House
Congress
Tom Braden
Los Angeles Times Syndicate
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Richard Nixon
Patrick Gray
Legislative Branch
Pressler
Bureau
Reagan
U.S. News & World Report
John Hays Hammond
Rich and
Micki Sievert
Pepperwood Hill SE
Malachi
Isaiah
Saul of
Tarsus
Amatio
Nicaragua
Nica
SaPaDaPaSo
St. Paddy
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!