26 Jan 2013

2013 Doodle 4 Google Contest

By Robert Haus

The Google "doodles" are the fun versions of the Google logo that you see on the Google homepage throughout the year in celebration of special events and people. Once a year, the company gives K-12 students across the U.S. the chance to display their own Google doodle on www.google.com through the Doodle 4 Google contest.

Google just announced the 2013 Doodle 4 Google contest, with the theme "My Best Day Ever..." This is a chance to give students a blank canvas to exercise their creative imagination and doodle about their best day ever -- be that in the past, present or future. Google is excited to see moments or thoughts that range from very small and personal to broad and far reaching -- maybe even out of this universe.

The stakes are high: in addition to seeing their doodle displayed on Google's homepage in May, the winner will also receive a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for their school. Last year, Google received a record 114,000 submissions.

Students can submit doodles until March 22, and Google will announce a winner from every single state on May 1. Last year's Iowa winner was Alexis Zaugg, from Southdale Elementary School in Cedar Falls, IA.

You can find the full blog post announcing the contest below. More information, including all contest rules, is available at google.com/doodle4google. Please also feel free to use the videos I've included to help your story come to life, and I'm happy to provide images of past years' winning doodles.

Please let me know if you have any questions. We're hoping to get the word out to students across Iowa, so we'd appreciate your help in communicating about the contest.

11 Jan 2012

American Cancer Society Announces 2012 Legislative Agenda

By Robert Haus

"We plan to redouble our efforts in 2012 to help make Iowa in fact one of the healthiest states in the Nation."

Peggy Huppert, Iowa Director, American Cancer Society

DES MOINES, IA - The American Cancer Society (ACS) announced its legislative agenda for 2012 at its annual Legislative Breakfast today at the Capitol.

Joining Huppert at the ACS Breakfast was Gail Orcutt, a Des Moines resident who spoke about the deadly toxin in our homes, radon gas.

"While many Iowans know that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and the most preventable cause of death in the state, most don't know that the second leading cause of lung cancer is radon. It's an odorless, colorless, tasteless toxin that threatens them where they feel the safest...their homes," Huppert stated.

ACS distributed free radon testing kits to those in attendance. "Testing is simple, and with these kits, free. But until you test, you won't know if this killer is lurking in your home," Huppert noted. "Iowans have been living with this threat for years without knowing about it, and with new test kits, Iowans can take steps to rid their homes of this silent killer."

Radon gas seeps into a house from the soil around and under the home; through cracks in the foundation, floor or walls; through hollow-block walls; and through openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps.

Governor Branstad proclaimed January as "Radon Awareness Month" with a proclamation dated January 5th, 2012. As many as seven out of 10 homes tested in Iowa have radon levels that exceed federal guidelines for exposure.

Huppert praised Governor Branstad for his proclamation. "Governor Branstad has made it a goal of his Administration to make Iowa one of the Nation's healthiest states, and bringing attention to this silent killer is an excellent step in that direction," she noted.

Huppert outlined there are other steps ACS will take to help the Administration achieve its goal of making Iowa one of the healthiest states in the Nation:

  • Establishing a consumer-friendly Iowa Insurance Exchange;
  • Closing the casino exemption in the 2008 Iowa Smokefree Air Act; and
  • Securing adequate funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

"Iowa should move forward on establishing its Iowa Insurance Exchange in the 2012 session, so the federal government doesn't do it for us," Huppert noted. "We have great leaders in the health care and insurance industries in Iowa, and we need to direct our own future and design our own plan tailored to the specific needs of our citizens."

"We also plan to continue our efforts to eliminate the casino exemption from Iowa's Smokefree Air Act. Iowa's casino employees should no longer have to choose between their job and their health," Huppert stated.

"And finally," she noted, "last year the Legislature dealt our efforts to reduce teen and adult smoking a severe setback with budget cuts of over 65%. The tobacco companies haven't reduced their sales by 65%, and we'll be seeking to solidify Iowa's prevention and cessation effort."

"Through our efforts, we will redouble our efforts in 2012 to make Iowa, in fact, one of the healthiest states in the Nation," Huppert concluded.

###

11 Jan 2011

Iowa State Trooper Funding & Staffing Levels

By Robert Haus

Ensuring Iowa's Safety: A Plan to Rebuild the Ranks of the Iowa State Patrol

I have been fortunate to be a member of the Iowa State Patrol for over twenty years.  I work alongside dedicated and professional public servants, my fellow Iowa State Troopers. My colleagues have honored me by electing me the President of the Iowa State Troopers Association, a volunteer position I undertake in addition to my official duties.

In the capacity as ISTA President, I speak with many of my public safety colleagues around the state.  There is a growing awareness that recent state budget cuts have been so severe that the safety of Iowans is on the verge of being critically compromised.

Today, there are 371 troopers in the Patrol - a forty-five year low. A lot has changed on Iowa's roadways in those 45 years. There are more cars, more trucks, and a more sophisticated, organized contraband trafficking network on our highways.

Our Troopers today are some of the most technologically proficient law officers in the field. Working in concert with the Department of Public Safety, the Patrol utilizes systems that stretch the reach and effectiveness of each and every Trooper. There is, however, a limit to our effectiveness at today's Trooper strength levels. The number of Troopers has dwindled to a dangerously low level, and action is needed in the 2011 legislative session.

It is not uncommon these days for one Trooper to be responsible for covering a three to four county area.  The coverage area increases during evening shifts or when there is a special event requiring State Patrol resources. During the most recent winter storm, troopers handled nearly 2,543 emergency calls and investigated 64 personal injury and property-related accidents in a two-day period.  Given existing Trooper levels, the State Patrol was stretched to respond in a timely manner to everyone needing help in poor winter conditions.

The Iowa State Troopers Association hopes to work with Governor-elect Branstad and legislative leaders on a specific two-pronged strategy to ensure Iowan's safety on the road:

  • Working to secure funding for 45 Troopers that were paid for by one-time federal stimulus dollars in the last State fiscal year. Given the present strength levels, it is absolutely imperative we keep these 45 Troopers on the road.

  • Starting a planned, and reasonable, program to rebuild Trooper strength to 455, a level we last saw in the 2000 budget year. This can be accomplished by adding 20 new Troopers per year for the next four years. Taking into account retirements and separations, Director of Public Safety Meyers has indicated the number may need to be closer to 30-35 per year for a period of 8 years.

    • While there are no easy answers for Iowa's budget challenges, we have been encouraged by comments from Governor-elect Branstad and other elected officials about the priority of public safety. As the 2011 legislative session begins in earnest, we look forward to working together to determine the best options to fund these shared priorities.

    Working together, we can ensure that Iowa's roadways are the safest in the nation. That has been, and will continue to be, the most important mission of your Iowa State Troopers.

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