Education is no longer a priority

To the editor:

Gov. Terry Branstad's Department of Revenue is in the process of rewriting its administrative rules to allow large corporations a $37 million ongoing tax cut without approval from the Iowa Legislature. With this loss of income, will Branstad again cut needed funding to public schools?

Iowa's early leaders identified the need for public education for all Iowa's children by investing in town and rural public schools as well as universities. One-room school houses were organized throughout Iowa.

Our federal government offered college education to our veterans after World War II which provided our country with more professionals such as doctors and scientists. Others benefited from the National Defense Student Act of 1958 that provided low interest and easy payment college loans. Our country felt that an educated society was our best defense.

When I was in high school, we were proud that Iowa ranked No. 1 in public school education. Unfortunately, under the leadership of our longest serving governor, Iowa has dramatically slipped in the rankings. While other states have stepped up their investment in public education, Iowa has failed to make education a priority.

Please contact your state legislators urging them to call for a special session to vote on ARC 2178C. Iowa should continue our representative governance and not become a dictatorship.

Julie Stewart Ziesman

Waukee