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Iowa’s universities help build our economic future

February 11, 2012

Steve Leath, the new president at Iowa State University, visited the Statehouse on January 18 to discuss the importance of supporting Iowa’s public universities and keeping tuition affordable. In order from left: Sen. Daryl Beall, President Leath, Sen. Steve Sodders, and Sen. Matt McCoy. State government is a partner with our public universities in promoting [...]

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Cutting taxes for working families

If new legislation becomes law, more than 260,000 Iowa households could see an increase in their state tax return, including the families of 37 percent of Iowa’s children. The Senate Ways & Means Committee has approved Senate Study Bill 3116 to increase Iowa’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 7 percent of the federal EITC [...]

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Money Smart contest offers cash prizes to students

February 10, 2012

Students in sixth through eighth grade can now enter the Money Smart Kid Essay Contest for the chance to win $1,000. Students can enter the contest by writing an essay of 300 words on what to consider when deciding to borrow money. Essays are due by April 2. For more information, visit this link at the [...]

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Supporting our local schools

This week in the Senate, we approved a 4 percent increase in basic state support for local schools for the 2013-2014 school year. These funds are used for textbooks, heating bills, technology and other necessities required for students and teachers to be successful. For years, the Legislature has set state support for local schools well [...]

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Gronstal on Iowa Press this weekend

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal will be the guest on Iowa Press on February 10.

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What do you think about passenger rail between Chicago and Omaha?

The Federal Railroad Administration and Iowa Department of Transportation are conducting a planning study for a Chicago to Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System. An online open house on February 13 will be the first opportunity for the public to participate in the study, which is intended to determine a preferred Chicago to Omaha route, evaluate [...]

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Iowans deserve a state budget that helps create new jobs

February 9, 2012

This year, the state budget must help Iowa workers and businesses recovering from the national recession. That means doing all we can to encourage new jobs. The plan we’re working on in the Senate balances the state budget without raising taxes. It includes: A commercial property tax cut that is especially helpful to Iowa’s small [...]

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Visual smoke detectors available

The State Fire Marshal has received a $40,000 grant to purchase and install electric smoke alarms in the homes of deaf and hard-of-hearing Iowans. The Fire Marshall will provide Kidde smoke alarms that use sound and strobe lights to alert people to fire in their homes. To request installation of one or more of these [...]

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(VIDEO) Leadership Press Conference, Feb. 9

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal hosted the weekly statehouse leadership press conference on February 9, 2012

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WHO TV on bipartisanship at the Statehouse

Clip from WHO TV discussing bipartisanship among legislators.

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