The Gazette
October 28th, 2012
Letters to the Editor

I came away from a recent forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters aware that there is a distinct difference between the concerns of the two candidates and between their visions of what life in Iowa should be.

Art Staed’s opponent’s responses focused on tinkering with the organization chart of the state’s government, on making programs and actions fit into little boxes assigned to places on the chart. Her responses primarily did not deal with the people and their …

The Gazette
October 24th, 2012
Letters to the Editor

As a retired educator I’m deeply disappointed in Renee Schulte.

First, Schulte voted to kick 20,000 kids out of Iowa’s successful preschool initiative, including more than 500 children in Cedar Rapids. The last two years she has voted several times to stop any increase in basic funding for our local schools. This puts Iowa schools at a disadvantage and forces local schools to increase class sizes and layoff many of our hardworking and dedicated teachers.

Schulte’s voting record, against education in …

The Gazette
October 19th, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Art Staed is the right choice for House District 66 and for Iowa. During his time in the Legislature, he was a proven leader in education. As a teacher, Staed has first hand knowledge of the challenges facing our students. His passion for education helped him lead the Legislature in providing funds for school improvements and funding for community colleges. He is a tireless advocate for students, and he is what our children in Cedar Rapids need.

Pete Clancy
Language Arts
Cedar …

The Gazette
October 6th, 2012
Letters to the Editor

As an educator, I want an educator representing me in Des Moines. Art Staed has been an excellent educator for Cedar Rapids for a long time. I want someone with his knowledge to represent me.

With all the education “reform,” who better than an educator who knows first-hand what is happening in our classroom to shape the debate on ways to improve an already successful educational system. He knows the challenges that students bring with them. He knows the obstacles …

The Gazette
October 4th, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Iowa’s future is at stake. The lack of discourse between the Iowa House and Senate has led to increased apathy and distrust among voters. It’s time to change the climate in Des Moines. We need to elect a candidate who will work cooperatively across the aisle and restore our faith in government. Art Staed is the proven candidate who will move Iowa forward.

As an educator, Staed understands the challenges we face. He is relentless in his passion for ensuring …

The Gazette
October 2nd, 2012
Letters to the Editor

A review of state legislation enacted when Art Staed represented us reveals progressive legislation whether it be for the economy, health care, education, energy, veterans issues, or public safety. Unfortunately, that cannot be said of the current Iowa House of Representatives. We need legislative leaders who will stand up to the governor and current House leadership.

Where were they when Gov. Terry Branstad signed Executive Order 80 without legislative or public input for stakeholders from the public for participation in …

The Gazette
September 29, 2012
Letters to the Editor

In our country, voting is not just a privilege, it is a constitutionally guaranteed right for all citizens. Art Staed believes this.

His incumbent opponent in House District 66, Renee Schulte, has been a leader in the House rallying support to make it mandatory for all voters to show a photo ID. This despite the fact that there are no proven cases of voter ID fraud in Iowa, and very few anywhere else in the country.

This is a thrust in …

The Gazette
September 25, 2012
Letters to the Editor

I recently heard Art Staed’s opponent waxing on about how she oversaw mental health reform for the state. Unfortunately, her reform lacked enough funding for the last half of this year and next year. Control of mental health expenditures and services were removed from local government and placed in the hands of the state.

Linn County has had a standard of care for mental health that exceeded most of Iowa. People who had been leading a fuller life are now …

The Gazette
September 19, 2012
Letters to the Editor

My husband and I were talking about the state of the economy. We were wondering, if the Republicans had quit saying “the sky is falling,” the large percentage of the American people who have jobs would know that we are better off. Then perhaps they would go shopping, buy merchandise, increase demand, allowing companies to expand, then hire more employees and just like magic, unemployment goes down.

Instead, we, the American people, after giving President Barack Obama two years to …

The Gazette
September 12, 2012
Letters to the Editor

Art Staed is receiving my vote for Iowa House District 66 because he embodies the true characteristics of a leader, compassion, discernment and patience. And as witnessed by his comprehensive campaign of door-knocking across his district, I’ve seen a candidate with energy and one who understands the power of purposeful action.

Cyprian Alexzander
Cedar Rapids