Are greenhouses gasses bad? Is oxygen a pollutant? We know that oxygen is essential for life. So, if the answer to: "Is oxygen a pollutant?" is no, then carbon dioxide is not and cannot be a pollutant as well. Oxygen is produced by plants. To thrive plants need water, soil nutrients, sunlight and carbon dioxide. Some would suggest we need to reduce the carbon dioxide (plant food) in the air. Some say greenhouse gasses are bad.

Contributions from Daniel P. Finney (Why requiring the national anthem in Iowa schools isn't enough), although delivered in a tone of irony that many of your readers might not grasp, certainly enhances the quality of your editorial page.

In 2023, the passing of HF 718 dealt a heavy blow to local communities by eliminating local levies and stripping away the right for communities to resource their values. While HF2442 appears to be a step in the right direction, it fails to address crucial issues and falls short of providing a comprehensive solution for the 97 library levies lost as well as the many other levy supported services across the state of Iowa.

We will be kicking off our office’s third VITA tax prep season on Feb. 27. Our schedule is steadily filling up, so if you or someone you know is eligible for the VITA program, please encourage them to call our office at 712-262-2264. The VITA program provides free tax preparation as well as electronic filing and is available to low-to-moderate income Iowans.

I have long been a proponent of ensuring our border is secure. I have been told that is not a very humanitarian stance to take. I have even been told that it isn’t a Christian stance. While migrants flock over our border illegally by the thousands each day, our country is bombarded with the many problems associated with people coming unchecked through our borders.

China poses the greatest threat to America’s economic and national security.

Keeping students safe in schools is a top priority.

This week, the Public Safety Committee advanced House Study Bill 675 to ensure students have the protection they deserve.

HSB 675 has two parts, the first addresses the need for school resources officers inside buildings and the second creates a professional weapons permit and with extensive training for school employees.

February is American Heart Month. Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. since 1950. Regular exams are encouraged. I have thanked the Lord often when praying for a patient at our local hospital while serving in the volunteer chaplaincy program.

Exports have become an important but unreliable component of our agriculture commodity demand. Yes, the world has to eat every day and the productivity of U.S. Agriculture is an important contributor to the items on the global menu. The amount of farmland available for crops in the U.S. has been put into production. Land utilized for agriculture purposes in the U.S. has actually been trending in reverse for some time.

Thursday night, while attending the Iowa Newspaper Association Conference in Des Moines, I was presented with an award which literally left me speechless a rarity I know. One of the highest honors one can receive among Iowa journalists, the Master Editor-Publisher Award recognizing up to three recipients annually for multiple decades.

This fall, the House and Senate held a joint interim committee to discuss the continued fight against human trafficking. The committee consisted of representatives, senators, law enforcement, county attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, the judicial branch and others working to stop this abhorrent crime.

Being in recovery, especially in the early stages, has its ups and downs. Dating is not necessarily a top priority for everyone, but many choose to pursue romantic relationships. Valentine’s Day tends to bring up different emotions and a longing for a relationship.

Happy Valentine’s Day, almost! Whether you have a special someone to celebrate with or not, here is your opportunity to do something for yourself. Give yourself the gift of trying something new or doing something different. How about trying a new recipe, cleaning out a closet or joining a new group. Set a goal, sign up for a class or scour the internet.

Chocolates and roses are synonymous with Valentine’s Day. They are always a welcome gift but maybe this is the year you decide to give your Valentine something different.

Consider an indoor plant with heart-shaped leaves or flowers. Anthuriums are an easy-to-grow long blooming indoor plant. The red, pink or white heart-shaped flowers rise above glossy green leaves. Grow it in a brightly lit location out of direct sunlight and water when the soil is slightly dry.

During the fourth week in the Senate the pace continued to build as we are fast approaching the deadline to get policy bills through subcommittee and standing committees. Three bills I am working on passed out of standing committees:

• SF 2153 regarding the Insurance Commissioner’s authority concerning insurance producers, business entity producers, and preneed sellers (Commerce).