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 >>The Legislature has approved changes that will make getting your Iowa driver’s license a lot faster and easier. SF 224, signed into law May 1, lets Iowa veterans get their veteran status marked on their driver’s license or state ID when they go in for a duplicate rather than waiting until they come up for [...]
Read the full story >>The Iowa Senate has passed a package of bills that will lower taxes for Iowa citizens, employers and property owners. These initiatives will revitalize our communities, allow businesses to expand, create jobs and grow our middle class. I hope this is the year that Iowa increases our state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 20 [...]
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 >>Directory 0:00 Sue Dinsdale, ICAN executive director 1:30 Michelle Bartusek, Provider of income tax help to low income Iowans 3:46 Melody Webb, an Ankeny resident who benefited from the EITC 7:14 Sen. Joe Bolkcom Senator Joe Bolkcom, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee Prepared remarks for April 29, 2013 news conference “When it comes [...]
Read the full story >>Iowa’s Workers’ Memorial Day ceremony will be held Friday, April 26 at 11 a.m. at Iowa Workforce Development, 1000 E. Grand Avenue, Des Moines. This is a day to honor and remember Iowans who have died in the past year in Iowa’s workplaces and serving in our military. Forty-six Iowans have died on the job [...]
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 >>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 >>Iowa’s financial outlook is bright, according to the state’s nonpartisan Revenue Estimating Committee. The continued rise in state revenues shows that our response to the national recession is working. The rebounding economy means the state budget can again be balanced without raising taxes. That puts the Senate’s focus squarely on growing Iowa’s middle class. Increasing [...]
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