May 2nd marked the final scheduled day of the 2025 legislative session, but lawmakers are heading into overtime to finalize budget agreements and address remaining issues.

Letter: Hendrickson’s ideas will not help economy
Opinions/Editorials · May 07, 2025
A recent West Branch Times guest opinion, “In defense of Trump’s tariffs and trade policies,” by John Hendrickson is an example of ersatz economics written by someone who is not an economist and who (apparently) has never read an intermediate or advanced textbook on international economics.

Guest column: In defense of Trump’s tariff and trade policies
by John Hendrickson · Opinions/Editorials · April 30, 2025
“I believe in the protective tariff policy and know we will be calling for its saving Americanism again,” stated President Warren G. Harding.

82nd Indivisible Group: SAVE Act designed to suppress millions of voters across nation
Opinions/Editorials · April 30, 2025
In April, Congress voted to pass the SAVE Act, which requires everyone to show proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.

Your Capitol Voice: Bill offers incentives to firefighters who stick around
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Opinions/Editorials · April 30, 2025
Session is beginning to wind down.

The Gruenhagen Gazette: Guard members may use funds for more education
by Kerry Gruenhagen, Iowa Senate District 4 · Opinions/Editorials · April 30, 2025
The fifteenth week of the legislative session has been focused on advancing the bills that met previous deadlines and finalizing the budget.

The Gruenhagen Gazette: Bill requires supermajority to raise income taxes
by Kerry Gruenhagen, Iowa Senate District 4 · Opinions/Editorials · April 23, 2025
We are now over 14 weeks into the legislative session, and last week was a busy and productive debate week in the Iowa Senate.

Your Capitol Voice: Retired police, fire will get more cancer coverage
by Bobby Kaufmann, State Representative · Opinions/Editorials · April 23, 2025
This week, a bill I have been pushing for years finally got passed by both Chambers and is sitting on the Governor’s desk.

82nd Indivisible: Like Hitler, US defunding welfare, healthcare, basic public services
Opinions/Editorials · April 23, 2025
While Congress continues to refuse vital funding for healthcare, Medicaid, and essential human services that millions of Americans depend on, it has approved a staggering $175 billion for immigration enforcement — 22 times the previous ICE budget.

Soapbox Philosophy: Three holidays more important than Juneteenth in West Branch
by Gregory R. Norfleet · Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
Regarding Juneteenth: The city administrator asserted on March 17 that it is the most important holiday in West Branch’s history.
But I don’t think he meant it.

Q&A with Adam Kofoed on autism
Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
Public Management Magazine posed several questions to West Branch City Administrator Adam Kofoed about his recent diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder:

Social cues: Unmasking autism in public leadership
by Adam Kofoed, WB City Administrator · Opinions/Editorials · April 16, 2025
How do you wake up one day and realize you’re autistic?