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Oct. 16, 2009 |
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TOPICS Around the district Iowa keeps focus on fiscal responsibility and other priorities Pheasants Forever youth hunt coming up Harvest weight limit exemption Good news for Iowa workers Resources to help students succeed Your input can help improve Iowa’s parks
Around the district
Congratulations to Jones County on the new Regional Education Center in Monticello. This facility, a part of the Kirkwood Community College system, will provide great educational opportunities for many for years to come. I was unable to attend the open house on October 15 due to a meeting at Post 11 in Cedar Rapids.
The Post 11 meeting was a public hearing by the Iowa’s Fire Marshals office on adoption of the International Building Code. One issue of concern is the possibility of mandating residential sprinklers, which some say could increase new home construction costs by $9,000 to $13,000. I have many questions and will continue to monitor this issue very closely.
Iowa keeps focus on fiscal responsibility and other priorities
While the deepening national recession is hitting the entire country, Iowa continues to fare much better than most states. In fact, our fiscal responsibility and sound budgeting are paying off.
In spite of across- the-board budget cuts, we ended the 2009 session with a balanced budget and $441 million in our state’s rainy day accounts.
By keeping our fiscal house in order and making smart investments in job creation, education and quality of life, we’re ensuring that Iowa emerges from the national recession ready to tackle new opportunities for growth.
Here is some of the evidence: ** Standard & Poor’s has given Iowa its highest rating — “AAA” — for the second year in a row. Iowa is one of only 11 states to achieve this best-possible rating.
** CNBC put Iowa 4th on its list of best state for business—up from 9th last year—based on cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life and other measurements.
** Results from this year’s ACT college entrance exam put Iowa second in the nation for the average composite score. That shows our investments in student achievement are preparing students to succeed in college and in the workforce.
** A recent Gallup poll found Iowa is #4 in the country for the well-being of our residents.
National recession hits Iowa families, businesses and state budgetWhile Iowa is faring much better than most states, Iowa families, communities and businesses are still reeling from the economic earthquake caused by the biggest recession since the Great Depression.
It’s clearer than ever that the aftershocks of this deepening national recession will require quick action to balance the current state budget. I’m committed to doing that without raising taxes.
Maintaining our prioritiesIn the coming weeks and months, I will be listening to my constituents, working with Republican and Democrats, and laying the groundwork for another fiscally responsible state budget during the 2010 session that protects our progress on creating jobs, supporting education and maintaining a safe Iowa. As many of you know, I have a huge interest in public safety, and I am committed to finding ways to keep our frontline public safety folks on the job.
At the same time, if we find old programs that don’t work or are no longer needed, we’ll shut them down. We’ll continue targeting our resources to get the biggest bang for the buck. And we’ll look for ways to save tax-payer dollars in all areas of state government.
As chair of the Justice Systems Budget in the Senate, I am having meetings and am constantly on the phone in an effort to find ways to be more efficient. I’ll be passing my suggestions on to the new State Government Reorganization Commission, as it works to trim state government.
While certain programs may be good in sound financial times, when the state has serious budget shortfalls, it’s time to re-evaluate all programs. Hundreds of state employees will face layoffs or actual job loss during the next budget cycle.
Tough decisions lie ahead, but I’m committed to keeping Iowa a great place to live, work and raise a family.
Pheasants Forever youth hunt coming up
Mark your calendar for the Dubuqueland Pheasants Forever Youth Pheasant Hunt on October 24.
The event takes place at Ringneck Ridge located 2 miles south of Worthington on Highway 136. Sign up for either the morning session (8 to 11 a.m.) or the afternoon session (1 to 4 p.m.). Each session is limited to 20 boys and girls ages 11 to 15 on a first-come-first-served basis, so sign up soon by calling Bob Moldenhauer at 563-543-0468.
All hunters must bring a completed Youth Hunt Waiver Form signed by both the hunter and a parent or guardian. The form can be downloaded at www.dubuquepheasants.com/youth/youth_hunt.html.
Harvest weight limit exemption
In an effort to help farmers move this year’s large corn and soybean harvest, Governor Chet Culver will sign a proclamation tomorrow granting a temporary weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads. The proclamation increases the weight allowable for shipment of soybeans, corn, hay, straw and stover to 88,000 pounds gross weight without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.
The proclamation directs the Iowa Department of Transportation to monitor the operation of the proclamation, assure the public’s safety and facilitate the movement of the trucks involved. Farmers who are transporting grain are also required to follow their vehicle safety standards on axle weights.
The Governor’s proclamation will apply to loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system. Trucks cannot exceed a maximum of 88,000 pounds gross weight, must comply with the legal maximum axle weight limits of 20,000, and must obey the posted limits on roads and bridges.
The exemption will be granted for 60 days beginning on October 1, 2009.
Good news for Iowa workers
Do you qualify for an extension in unemployment benefits?Iowa Workforce Development recently reported that the state’s unemployment rate for August was at 6.8 percent.
During this downturn in the economy, one of the best safety nets we can offer Iowa’s working families is good unemployment insurance. Unemployment benefits help families make ends meet and help communities get back on their feet.
That’s why Iowa has opted to extend unemployment benefits for many jobless Iowans. Nearly 5,000 Iowans are eligible for up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment insurance.
To find out if you qualify for extended benefits, contact your local Workforce Center. Their contact information can be found at www.iowaworkforce.org/ui/contacts.htm. Resources to help students succeed
Preparing for career successThe Iowa College Student Aid Commission recently launched a new online resource to help students transition from school to the workplace and to provide tools for adults seeking education and employment opportunities.
At www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov, you can find information to help you create a career plan, match your interests and skills with education and employment opportunities, prepare for standardized tests, research financial aid and scholarship options, build resumes, and more.
College transferring made easierAs college costs increase and the national recession continues, parents and students must make tough decisions when it comes to college affordability. To save on tuition and living expenses, more students are attending a community college close to home for their first two years, and then transferring to a 4-year public university.
A new Web site, www.transferiniowa.org, can make figuring out which classes and credits will transfer a whole lot easier. By following the “Transferring Your Credit” links, you can discover how community college credits might transfer to Iowa’s state universities. Additional links include information on the transfer process, distance education and existing statewide transfer agreements
Your input can help improve Iowa’s parks
The Iowa Parks Foundation wants to know how Iowans use the many parks throughout the state. You can provide your input through an online survey. Just go to www.iaparks.org and click on the Iowa Parks Foundation logo on the right side of the page. Survey results and other input will help identify recreational interests, patterns of park use, quality and condition of state park facilities, and user priorities for future park improvements. |
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