RSSThe Senate has approved an Economic Development budget that will help Iowa businesses create new jobs and put more Iowans back to work. House File 2337, as amended by the Senate, now includes incentives to create jobs by attracting businesses and helping them expand. Our plan also supports Iowa’s state universities by investing in partnerships [...]
Read the full story >>Finally, President Jack Kibbie gets his wish: the Iowa House has agreed to conference committees to settle differences between the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate. In JUNE of 2011, agreements were hammered out only after legislators met in conference committees. For example, compromises were found on four major budget bills just 36 hours after they [...]
Read the full story >>Senator Steve Sodders urges the Iowa House to pass Senate File 516 the wind and solar tax credits for home and businesses. Iowa is a leader in wind and ethonal production, adding solar energy to the mix will create high quality jobs for local Iowa businesses.
Read the full story >>On April 10th Senate Bill Dotzler defends the right of Iowans to meet with workforce development professionals instead of using kiosks.
Read the full story >>A new survey shows small- and medium-sized businesses in Iowa are more optimistic about job growth. According to the Hamilton Survey, more than 55 percent of those surveyed said they are somewhat or very optimistic about future job growth. This is an increase from 47 percent in the previous quarter, which means that more businesses [...]
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Unemployed Iowans will continue to get the help they need, thanks to an agreement by the Senate, the House and Governor Branstad to restore funding to Iowa Workforce Development and ensure all remaining field offices stay open through the end of the current fiscal year. Senate File 517, approved with overwhelming, bipartisan support during the [...]
Read the full story >>Democratic leaders in the House and Senate held their weekly press conference at the Statehouse on Thursday March 29. Among the topics discussed were the legislative solution to the recent Supreme Court ruling invalidating Governor Branstad’s use of his line-item veto power and investing in education.
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We share Governor Branstad’s education goals of raising academic standards, improving the effectiveness of educators and using innovation to enhance learning. As we choose the best ways to reach these goals, we are listening to parents, teachers, students and concerned Iowans. Their suggestions are the basis of the education reforms contained in Senate File 2284. [...]
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The recent report of rising state revenues is another sign that Iowa’s response to the national recession is working. Our economy is improving, and now’s the time to strengthen the foundations of a lasting recovery. When the deep national recession hit, we reduced the annual state budget by hundreds of millions of dollars by reforming [...]
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The Iowa Supreme Court has found that Governor Branstad’s veto of funding for workforce field offices last year was illegal. Senate File 517 included specific funding to keep open dozens of local workforce offices, which help Iowans search for jobs, prepare for interviews and improve their skills, while helping businesses find the qualified employees they need. The legislation was approved with overwhelming, bipartisan support during the 2011 session.
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