Jobs for Main Street

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 [...]

(VIDEO) Working mom helps tax cut pass Senate Ways and Means

February 8, 2012

Last Thursday, Senate Democrats invited Julie Heck of Pleasantville — a single mother of three — to speak at a statehouse news conference to tout the tax break that’s geared toward low-income Iowans.

Senate Budget Priorities Focus on Job Creation

February 2, 2012

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.

(VIDEO) Pass working family tax cuts FIRST

January 31, 2012

“This year I’m confident that no tax cut will pass the Senate Ways and Means Committee before the working families tax cut is passed for the third time by the Senate, is passed for the third time by the House, and finally signed into law by Governor Branstad.”

Making Iowa more friendly for employee-owned businesses

January 30, 2012

Making employee-owned businesses at home in Iowa is the goal of a new bill approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee. The bill, Senate Study Bill 3014, provides incentives for businesses to develop their own Employee Stock Ownership Plans. These plans are qualified retirement plans for employees under the Internal Revenue Code. Encouraging employee stock [...]

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 [...]

Helping Iowans fill existing jobs

January 28, 2012

We’re working hard this session to ensure all Iowa workers and businesses are part of our state’s economic recovery. That’s why we’re listening when business leaders and economists say that a shortage of skilled workers limits the growth of the Iowa economy. And this problem is expected to get worse in years to come. Consider [...]

(VIDEO) Iowa Success Stories

January 25, 2012

  Jamia Peeples of Cedar Rapids participates in the PACE pilot program at Kirkwood Community College.  She worked part-time as a night cook while attending nurse aide classes and managing a family of four on her own.  She earned her certification in December 2011 and was promoted in January 2012 to a nurse aide position.  [...]

New Iowa attraction to boost job creation, economic opportunity

As Iowa rebounds from the national recession, there are exciting and creative economic growth opportunities happening all over the state.

Mayors: Senate commercial property tax cut protects homeowners

January 24, 2012

Mayors across Iowa are asking the governor and Legislature not to cut commercial property taxes in a way that shifts property taxes from commercial property owners onto the backs of homeowners.