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On September 29, a study
committee examining the care of companion animals by commercial
breeders had its first public meeting at the Statehouse. We
heard testimony from many organizations, including Iowa Voters
for Companion Animals, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, the
Humane Society, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the
Iowa Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Animal, and the Iowa Pet Breeders Association. For
more on the work of the committee, go to
www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Committees/
Committee.aspx?id=486. |
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Iowa’s nurses are an essential
part of our health care system. Experts say there are good
reasons to be concerned about a shortage of nurses in our rural
communities.
On September 1, I visited the outstanding nursing program at
Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg to learn more about
what Iowa is doing to increase the number of nurses while
providing Iowans with good job opportunities. Other legislators
and I talked with nursing students and faculty about their
desire to work in a field where they really make a difference in
the health of Iowans.
At the state level, we are encouraging more Iowans to go into
nursing by improving and expanding student loan forgiveness
programs. You can learn more about state, federal and private
loan forgiveness programs for nurses at
www.iowacollegeaid.gov/commissioncentral/
loanforgiveness/nursing.html.
Pictured from left: Berni Wise,
director of nursing, Jane Palmer, practical nursing coordinator,
Tara Rochleau, assistant professor of nursing, State Senator Daryl Beall of Fort Dodge, Senate
President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg and I. |
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I
recently joined Representatives Chuck Isenhart and Tom Schueller in
hosting an "Economic Development" tour of Dubuque and rural
Jackson County.
Legislators from across the state were very impressed with what
they saw here in eastern Iowa. They praised the work of the
Greater Dubuque Economic Development team, which has had
tremendous success in recruiting new business, while taking care
of the established businesses here in the greater Dubuque area.
We also toured farms in Jackson County, where we talked with
local farmers who are doing it right: they care for the land,
the water and their livestock. But due to economic conditions,
they’re losing money. In the short term, they need help from the
USDA, but over the long run, they just have to wait for market
conditions to improve. |
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State Senators Amanda Ragan of Mason City, Mary
Jo Wilhelm of Cresco and Pam Jochum of Dubuque listen to debate
early on the morning of April 25 before casting a vote at 3 a.m.
The Iowa House and Senate worked long days and made tough
choices to balance the state budget without raising taxes during
a national economic recession. Legislators ended the 2009
session by approving a major bonding bill that will help restart
the Iowa economy, recover from last year’s natural disasters,
and keep commitments to education, health care and increasing
Iowa-grown renewable energy. |
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Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg and Senator Pam
Jochum of Dubuque congratulate the family of Arnold E. and Agnes
E. Bruggeman for donating the Bruggeman Conservation Easement to
the Dubuque County Conservation Board. This generous land gift
was recognized during "Gift to Iowa's Future Day" at the
Statehouse April 6. |
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I had the opportunity to meet with French exchange students from
Divine Word College in Dubuque in the Senate chamber on Tuesday.
They were in Des Moines for the day to get an inside look at
state government and the Iowa Legislature. |
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U.S.
Representative Bruce Braley spoke to our caucus on February 17. He discussed the opportunities for Iowa in the
recently passed federal stimulus bill. He said the
legislation will create 37,000 Iowa jobs by rebuilding
crumbling roads and bridges, investing in passenger rail and
putting people to work on aviation, water and flood control
projects.
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Three community college students visited the
State Capitol on February 4 to thank lawmakers who supported
Iowa’s wind energy expansion efforts. Students Spencer Baak,
Kary Haglan and Grant Erickson talked with me about continuing
support for Iowa’s community colleges and the Iowa Power Fund. A
two-year program at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville
to train students to learning to build and maintain wind
turbines will grow from 71 students this year to 102 students
next year. Graduates typically receive 10 to 20 job offers when
they complete their courses. |
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I took the oath of office
at the Iowa Senate on January 12, the first day of the 2009
session of the Iowa Legislature. I expect this year we'll stay
focused on managing our tight state budget, expanding Iowa’s
energy economy and rebuilding flood damaged communities. |
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I attended a two-day orientation for new
state legislators at the Iowa Statehouse in the Des Moines on
December 10. I met with Senator-elect Kim Reynolds of
Osceola and other new
members of the Iowa House and Senate. We talked with state
leaders, including Governor Culver and Chief Justice Marsha
Ternus. Presentations by legislators and state staff
touched on everything from how an idea becomes state law to the
history of the Capitol.
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