Category Archives: Issues

Primary issues in which Fawkes-Lee & Ryan are involved

Vote NO!

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Marty Ryan

This year’s November 3rd ballot will offer Iowa voters the choice of accepting or rejecting an Iowa constitutional amendment that is similar to an amendment proposal proffered to voters over twenty-five years ago. If the amendment is approved by voters … Continue reading →

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What are you afraid of?

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Marty Ryan

As technology advances, law enforcement agencies seek innovative methods of utilizing newfound technology in the name of public safety. However, any legislative proposal that would change public access to the information acquired through those methods are met with strong opposition. … Continue reading →

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Caught off guard

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Marty Ryan

In 1997, when I was lobbying for the Iowa Civil Liberties Union (the forerunner to the ACLU of Iowa), a bill was introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives that would have allowed school officials to randomly conduct searches of … Continue reading →

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Flaws in the laws – Part VII

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Marty Ryan

Apparently, research at the Iowa Capitol is a thing of the past. Senate File 397 passed the Iowa Senate and House with a total of two[1] “nay” votes between the two chambers and is waiting for the governor’s signature. SF … Continue reading →

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Not even close

Posted on February 8, 2025 by Marty Ryan

I was reading a book entitled Unidentified Woman #15 by David Housewright [First Down and Out Books June 2020 – Copyright @ 2015].  The featured character, Roosevelt McKenzie, ponders the fact that a Minneapolis Star-Tribune “article dealt more with the … Continue reading →

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Home Safety

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Stephanie Fawkes-Lee

A young Des Moines police officer who was helping us with a racoon issue hadn’t yet been indoctrinated into how to handle the perception of crime in our neighborhood. He asked us point blank, “Do you hear gun fire at … Continue reading →

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