RSSThe 2013 Legislature is in overtime. While the Iowa House and Senate have agreed on how much to spend, we still need to hammer out the final details of a balanced state budget that makes smart investments in Iowa’s future. The path to a dynamic economy is to strengthen and grow Iowa’s middle class. To [...]
Read the full story >>While I hope the 2013 legislative session wraps up soon, I won’t vote to adjourn until Iowa has a balanced state budget that will help strengthen and grow our middle class. We can do that in a fiscally responsible way because Iowa’s state budget is in good shape, thanks to sound bipartisan management. The state [...]
Read the full story >>Small businesses want to expand Iowa’s middle class by attracting and retaining the best workers. Providing good health care benefits is one way to do that. Unfortunately, health care is the fastest-growing expense for small business owners. On average, small businesses pay 18 percent more than large businesses for the same coverage, and health insurance premiums have gone up three times faster than wages in the last 10 years. To ease this financial burden on our small businesses, the Senate passed Senate File 449 with bipartisan support.
Read the full story >>Iowa start-ups have created 600 new jobs with the help of a state economic development program, a new study shows. The “Iowa Demonstration Fund” helps small and medium-sized Iowa companies in advanced manufacturing, biosciences and information technology. Businesses with a high-growth potential get help to develop their products so that they can ultimately attract more [...]
Read the full story >>Iowa’s lack of skilled workers is our biggest challenge when it comes to jobs. Fortunately, Iowa’s community colleges are nationally recognized as leaders at helping families get ahead. The problem is that state funding for community colleges has not kept up with demand for all that they have to offer. Students cover an increasing share of [...]
Read the full story >>A $250 million commercial property tax cut won bipartisan support in the Senate on April 15. Senate File 295 cuts commercial property taxes for every Iowa business, starting from the bottom up. That means most of the benefit goes to local small business owners, the biggest job creators in our communities. Iowa’s commercial property tax [...]
Read the full story >>Iowa’s main streets are the heart of our small towns and urban neighborhoods. For almost three decades, “Main Street Iowa” has helped communities revitalize their local economies by capitalizing on what makes them unique. This year, we want to increase funding for this proven program that turns historic commercial districts into thriving centers of commerce. [...]
Read the full story >>This legislative session is all about expanding the middle class. That means working for policies and budgets that put Iowans back to work, help businesses create jobs and improve Iowa’s economy. The Economic Development budget we’re putting together this year will do just that. Senate File 430 provides incentives to attract businesses to Iowa and [...]
Read the full story >>Our community colleges give thousands of Iowans the opportunity to improve their skills and build a better life for their families. They’re also helping to solve one of the biggest problems facing Iowa: the skilled worker shortage. All over Iowa, businesses are struggling to find the skilled workers they need. Yet compared to other states, [...]
Read the full story >>On Wednesday, April 3, the Iowa Senate voted to approve Senate File 430, the economic development budget. This legislation invests $78.5 million next year in helping grow Iowa’s economy in variety of ways. This is an increase of $40.8 million over FY 2013 and an increase of $5.6 million compared to the Governor’s recommendation. Using [...]
Read the full story >>
