State representative Tom Jeneary will not seek another term
Iowa State Representative Tom Jeneary announced on Friday that he won’t seek another term. Jeneary, a Republican from Le Mars, has served in the Iowa House since 2019.
In a statement, Jeneary stated that “it has been an honor to serve my district and the state of Iowa,” and that during his time in office, “we’ve accomplished many great things to move Iowa forward.” House Speaker Pat Grassley stated that he was grateful to have had Jeneary’s leadership in the Iowa House.
Jeneary was first elected to the Iowa House in 2018. During his time in the Iowa House, Jeneary led efforts to improve the Iowa dental industry and expand quality dental services for Iowans. He previously served as chair of the Natural Resources committee and currently serves on the Environmental Protection, Health and Human Services, Labor and Workforce, State Government, and Transportation committees.
Jeneary worked as a funeral director for five years and as a dentist for more than three decades. He is now retired from those careers and lives in Le Mars with his wife, Pam. Together they have two sons and four grandchildren.
Jeneary will serve the remainder of his current term, which ends on January 1st, 2027.
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Trump Administration grants waivers giving Iowa officials flexibility in spending $9.5 million federal funds
The Trump Administration has granted Iowa’s waiver request, giving state officials authority to roll federal funds designated for a variety of education programs into one block grant — and state officials will determine how the money is distributed. U-S Education Secretary Linda McMahon made the announcement Wednesday in Denison.
Governor Kim Reynolds says the waiver lets Iowa focus federal funds on the right work.
McMahon says the waiver fits the Trump Administration’s vision of returning responsibility for educating children to the states.
Iowa is the first state to apply for and get this kind of a waiver. It combines into a single block grant federal funding that had previously been designated for teacher training, English language learners, after-school programs and classroom efforts to improve student achievement. McMahon’s agency has also granted state officials authority to waive some federal requirements for career and technical programs in Iowa school districts.
The Education Secretary and Governor Reynolds made their comments after touring an elementary school in Denison and visiting with students.
(Story via Radio Iowa)
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