When I was first elected to Congress, I promised that I would focus my energy on finding solutions to the challenges facing our families, farmers, businesses, and rural communities.

I don't throw spiders on my wife even though I would get a reaction. I'm kind. She's not like Mary Lou. Dawn likes snakes but not spiders. She once grabbed a fox snake off of the pitcher's mound at a Hansell Redlegs game so they could get underway. We both joke about how if you don't like snakes it's because you like mice. It's logical to like snakes if you don't live in the South.

Everywhere you look, you can tell it’s late summer in Iowa. The corn is coming along, beans are filling and the State Fair has just wrapped up. Our kids and teachers are heading back to classrooms and feeling all the hope, anticipation and joy that comes with a new school year.

Everywhere you look, you can tell it’s late summer in Iowa. The corn is coming along, beans are filling and the State Fair has just wrapped up. Our kids and teachers are heading back to classrooms and feeling all the hope, anticipation and joy that comes with a new school year.

About 55 years ago I went away to college.

Strong families are the foundation of strong communities. As a husband and father of four, it is important to me that we advance policies that strengthen families and support children, especially those in need. That’s why – during my time in Congress – I have worked as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee to uplift our families and support our children.

We had the kids for a few days. Darby is 8 and Henry is 6. Darby is a girl, unlike the Darby in the essential Disney movie, “Darby O'Gill and the Little People.” Darby is named after Darby, Montana, where her dad lived upon his escape from mom and dad after high school. We gave him our old Dodge van but nothing else and he survived. (Every kid should do that upon graduation, by the way.

I was recently creating a pamphlet highlighting the different services that Franklin County (the governmental entity) offers to its residents & visitors and thought it would be good information to share here. Some of the things you’re probably aware of and some you might not be.

Emory Ray Fiz passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Special Care Center at the age of 87 in Des Moines.
Emory Ray Fitz was born September 9, 1936, in Hampton, to Ray Foster and Mildred Marion (Heideman) Fitz. He was raised on their farm in Southwest Franklin County. Emory went to school in Dows, Iowa, graduating in 1955.

At the end of July, our national debt officially topped $35 trillion. This development comes just seven months after our country surpassed $34 trillion in debt and less than a year since our national debt eclipsed $33 trillion last September.

A couple weeks ago, I touched on how the county brings in revenues and discussed the different ways that money is brought into the County (other than property taxes). So, I thought this week I’d share some of the things that we have to expend money on that you might not expect.

Family farmers I know say we’ve been under the thumb of corporate ag bosses and the big meatpackers for too long.  Political affiliation doesn’t seem to matter -- they all agree something needs to be done to make our agriculture markets more open, fair and transparent.

The trades people I know still have trouble finding good help, and have plenty of work. Maybe that's about to change. Maybe not. Layoffs at John Deere due to a 20% drop in sales are high profile and most of us aren't affected. But Gates Company in Newton, who supplies Deere with hydraulic hoses is closing, costing 41 jobs. Our 12-year old loader tractor has a notice under the floor mat that says it was painted in Allison.

The right to vote forms the bedrock of our democratic republic and gives an important voice to the people — of which, by which, and for which our country was established, and President Lincoln so eloquently put during his Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. Men and women in uniform have sacrificed their own lives to ensure that our nation could be free and that we all have the right to participate in our system of government.

Money….it’s always a controversial topic, don’t you think?! It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about how much someone should get paid, how much something costs, etc…you can find anyone with an opinion about it all. Well, unfortunately, Franklin County needs money to provide services to you, the residents and tax payers. What do you mean services?!