Braley leading “Red to Blue program”
From O. Kay Henderson’s blog

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Chris Van Hollen today announced the leadership for the Red to Blue program and additional assistance with incumbent protection.

DCCC Vice Chair Bruce Braley (IA) will join Representatives Allyson Schwartz (PA), Patrick Murphy (PA), and Donna Edwards (MD) as chairs of the Red to Blue Program for the 2010 cycle. The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support. The very successful fundraising effort helped raise more than $26 million for Red to Blue candidates last cycle. Read full story…

The fight for students
From the Daily Iowan

The House passed the bill 253-171. Iowa Democrats Bruce Braley, David Loebsack, and Leonard Boswell voted for the bill; Republicans Steve King and Tom Latham voted against it. I hope all Republicans who voted “no” or are obstructing this important piece of legislation will be held accountable come November. But what’s keeping the benefits of greater financial aid from millions of students are the efforts of a few banks. Read full article…

Move afoot to protect teacher pay
From the Des Moines Register

A legislative plan to spare teacher pay from the chopping block has set the stage for a showdown between cash-strapped school leaders and teacher advocates who pushed for higher pay.

State lawmakers who decided to boost Iowa’s teacher pay in 2007 now want to protect that money from Gov. Chet Culver’s 10 percent, across-the-board budget cut, ordered in October, and similar reductions in years ahead. They also want to shield money for teacher training and efforts to keep class sizes in check. Read full article…