You know, I’ve been thinking about this constitutional amendment on the November ballot - the one that requires a supermajority to pass any new tax reforms. The way I see it, the party in power wants to remain in power and affect our state’s financial well-being into the future. They also want to keep those corporate lobbying dollars coming to them.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like this flat tax for income tax. It seems that the upper class is benefiting way more than the rest of us. Those of lower income pay the same percentage of their income as the wealthy - who could really afford to pay more.
Iowa voters will decide on Iowa Amendment #1 during the November 3, 2026 election to determine whether a two-thirds supermajority vote in both the Iowa House and Senate should be required to raise new income taxes.
The current requirement in Iowa to increase or establish a new income tax is a simple majority in both legislative chambers. Majority rules, not supermajority.
We in the Allamakee School District took eleven votes to pass a bond for a new high school and that was a 60% voter approval. They are talking 66% voter approval.
This proposed amendment would require personal or corporate income tax increases to be approved by two-thirds of the majority in each chamber - virtually locking in extreme tax cuts skewed to the wealthy that majority lawmakers put in place between 2019 and 2025.
If this amendment passes it would encourage lawmakers to solve our budget problems by raising the sales tax or other tax fees.
Likely most of us are aware that in approximately two years our Main Street R-O-W (right-of-way) will be reconstructed. You may have noticed in The Standard that from time to time the City Council has approved various contracts with consultants and received reports related to this project.
When will the Mayor and City Council tell us about the project? Hopefully, we will be informed sooner rather than later. It’s not too early to begin actively enrolling us.
Some questions which would be of interest to us are likely the following:
• What is the project concept?
• What is the role of the community?
• What are the time lines?
• What are the challenges?
• What are the opportunities?
• What will be the fate of Main Street between Front Street and 2nd Street?
Others likely have other questions - what are yours?
Do you remember one year ago, in September of 2025, when we wrote a letter of concern about eight of our services being threatened? Our letter listed those eight services and the threat of losing them. They are:
1. No cancer research; 2. No Social Security; 3. No disaster relief; 4. No clean energy; 5. No free lunch; 6. No Medicare; 7. No Medicaid; 8. No SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
Now, in only one year’s time, we Iowans are suffering because six of those eight services are already reduced or taken away, not only here in Iowa, but across the country. We asked the question last year, “Are our Iowa legislators in Washington D.C. representing us or are they supporting the efforts to get rid of these services?”
We have a critical election upon us. The past elections have mainly been between two parties that loved this country but held different views on how to serve the ‘citizens’. That is no longer the case. We now have one party that desires to stay anchored in the America established by our Founding Fathers, anchored in Judeo-Christian values.
The other party is being taken over by those who hate America with the desire to implement socialism, communism, and Islamism. None of these are compatible with the other. They are using each other, along with any group or individual that desires to join as ‘useful idiots’ - a term used by them, to take down the country, ultimately with Islamism prevailing.
Postville High School seniors Alan Ciriaco-Munoz (left) and Jasmin Roman (right) were crowned the 2026 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime of Postville’s Homecoming football game Friday, September 25. Ciriaco-Munoz was selected from a Homecoming King court that included fellow seniors Cedric Navarro, Micah Minikwu and Herman Ixquier Castro. Roman was chosen from a Homecoming Queen court that included fellow seniors Leticia Dahl, Esveydi Palafox-Schultz and Olivia Schultz. Photo courtesy of Postville High School.
Pick up the Wednesday, September 30, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
Students at Waukon High School have selected their Homecoming Court representatives for the 2026 celebration, with the coronation of this year’s Homecoming Queen and King scheduled to take place at the “Burning of the W” pep rally planned for this Thursday evening, October 1, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Waukon High School gym. Pictured in the photo at right are this year’s Waukon High School Homecoming Queen and King candidates from the 2026-2027 Senior class, including: Left to right - Front row: Queen candidates Brynn Weymiller, Kaylin Regan, Blythe Bucknell, Nora Davis; Back row: King candidates Tristyn Crawford, Tade McCormick, Jaxon Regan, Vaughn Stegen.
Valerie Miller ... Valerie Miller, Waukon, operates Steel Cow with her husband Josh, and sons Edison, Harrison and Ellison, and studio dog Cocoa, located in a renovated historic family building in northeast Iowa. Valerie’s original paintings and Steel Cow products can be found in art and design collections worldwide. Submitted photo.
George Blair ... Potter George Blair, New Albin, with some of his work and Shoji - his and his wife, Angela’s dog - named after Japanese potter, Shōji Hamada. Hamada had a significant influence on studio pottery of the twentieth century and was a major figure of the mingei (folk-art) movement. In 1955 Hamada was designated a “Living National Treasure.” Photo by Julie Berg-Raymond.
by Julie Berg-Raymond
The Northeast Iowa Artists’ Studio Tour (NIAST), established in 1998, is Iowa’s first, largest, and longest-running studio tour of its kind. This year, it is being held Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11. Hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NIAST is a free, self-guided, driving tour through the hills and valleys of northeast Iowa for behind-the-scenes visits to both private studios and public galleries. The Tour radiates up to 40 miles in all directions from the central hub of Decorah; winding through scenic northeast Iowa.
The Wow! Who Knew? Summit invites area residents to discover fascinating people, inspiring projects, interesting activities, and unexpected opportunities to get involved right here in their own backyard.
This free community open house will take place Thursday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Works, located at 274 Main Street in Lansing.
Sponsored by Connected For Good, the summit brings together individuals, organizations, and community groups from across Allamakee County and the surrounding region to share what they’re passionate about and to invite others to join in.
Allamakee County Ideas Week 2026 is happening October 5-9 at The Works Coworking & Coaching in Lansing - and every workshop event is free and designed to educate, connect, and inspire local residents throughout Allamakee County, each one full of ideas for all.
Hosted by The Works, in partnership with Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED), this sixth annual weeklong event will feature dynamic speakers, practical workshops, and 1:1 coaching for those looking to make an impact on their communities throughout the county. Workshops and coaching also include refreshments from area restaurants and food entrepreneurs.
