World Class Education

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 [...]

Supporting our local schools

February 10, 2012

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 [...]

Quotes on increased funding for Iowa schools

February 8, 2012

Cost of Living Adjustment For Schools IowaPolitics.com “That’s sort of the cost-of-living adjustment for schools. That’s the inflation adjustment,” said Mary Jane Cobb, executive director of the Iowa State Education Association, which represents more than 34,000 educators. “ … “We’ve been living under zero percent allowable growth this year, 2 percent next year. Four percent [...]

Video from Senate debate on increasing support for local schools

On February 7, the Iowa Senate approved a four percent increase in basic state aid to Iowa’s K12 school districts across Iowa. These dollars help pay salaries, buy textbooks, fuel school buses, and help avoid large class sizes.

Don’t make school budgets LESS predictable, sustainable, stable

February 6, 2012

“Iowans have to be asking themselves, ‘Why in the world is Governor Branstad making funding of Iowa’s community schools less predictable, less sustainable, and less stable, when his message was exactly the opposite just a year ago?’ Senate Education Committee chair Herman Quirmbach of Ames

Iowa universities are key to economic growth

February 3, 2012

State Senator Liz Mathis discussed MyEntre.net with University of Northern Iowa faculty members Maureen Collins-Williams and Randy Pilkington on January 31st at the state capital. Iowa’s state universities are engines for economic growth. Business support specialists from the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University recently talked with legislators about how the universities contribute [...]

Governor signs National Guard tuition assistance

February 2, 2012

On January 31, Governor Branstad signed the first bill of the 2012 session. Senate File 2007 provides an additional $1.3 million to keep the state-funded National Guard Tuition Assistance for returning soldiers. The first bill passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor this year will help our National Guard soldiers get the college [...]

A strong Iowa economy starts with strong local schools

The quality of local Iowa schools is central to our state’s economic opportunity. From day one, a good education prepares Iowans for the workforce and assures businesses that Iowa has the talented employees they need. That’s why we care so much about investing in student achievement and maintaining our great local schools. Governor Branstad was [...]

Senate Budget Priorities Focus on Job Creation

The leaders of the Iowa Senate have released an outline for a state budget focused on helping Iowa workers fill existing job openings and helping Iowa businesses create new jobs.

Let’s keep job training affordable

January 29, 2012

Iowa is known for our quality education and highly skilled workforce, but we can’t afford to move backwards when the jobs of tomorrow require more training than ever. We must invest in workforce training and help more Iowans get the skills they need to take on 21st century jobs. That’s why we are concerned by [...]