A brief response to Gov. Reynolds’ State of the State address. It was delivered in her predictable style with arguments for policy change that leave me scratching my head.

Her words, “In the face of intense pressure to keep the status quo, we passed one of the boldest school choice programs in the country, kicking off a national revolution”. Why is she praising the passing of a bill which she admits was not popular and faced majority public opposition? Why do we need to start a “national revolution?” Shouldn’t our focus be here at

home and what is good for us?

AEAs are a long-standing system and therefore, in her opinion, needing reform. Her evidence, conversations with administrators, teachers, employees and others. Did anyone know these conversations were happening or who they were with specifically? Were we invited to participate? Evidence-based observations tell us that is not how she works. The process was not transparent, as usual. And now we need to “hold AEAs accountable,” when state money going to ESAs lacks any accountability once it leaves the state coffers.

I know a brilliant educator who shared with me some years ago the problem she had identified with reading instruction. If we listened to our educators we could have been on the path to correction much earlier.

Apparently when national leaders like Bridget Ziegler and Moms for Liberty say something, we listen. I heard Ms. Ziegler as she led a “Science of Reading” webinar. Pretty, but after that session I wouldn’t follow her around the block. Now, if I were so inclined, I could watch a sex video involving her and another woman, except it is exempt from disclosure due to an

ongoing criminal investigation. Let’s start trusting Iowans to take the lead on issues important to us.

And with that thought in mind, it is past time we address the following concerns. Water quality, drought conditions, unacceptably high cancer rates, gun violence, CO2 pipelines, tuition costs, declining rural communities, impaired roads and bridges to name a few. These are topics vitally important to us and it’s time you start listening.