Gomers -- What's going wrong

RESPECT MISSING: During Monday's legislative hearing about the state higher education budget, Sen. Shawn Hamerlinck, R-Dixon, made remarks to student leaders from Iowa's three public universities that were condescending and disrespectful of the students, who simply wanted to voice their concern about the costs of education and budget cuts. Hey - it was a public hearing, right? Senate Democrat leaders rightly criticized Hamerlinck, but then overreacted by posting videos and issuing several news releases during the week.

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GO FIGURE: The Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster payment policies seem puzzling at times. While FEMA is expected to pay about $1.16 million to rebuild the severely flood-damaged Cedar Rapids animal shelter, the agency said it won't contribute anything toward land purchase at the city's proposed new site isn't so flood prone. Instead, FEMA advises that a new elevated facility could be rebuilt at the old site. Trouble is, the access road frequently floods, too, so that likely would have to be raised - at extra expense. So which option is more cost efficient?

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