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 [...]
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When it comes to investing in Iowa’s public universities, Democrats in the Iowa Senate and Governor Branstad are on the same page. Taking action now to keep college affordable is important to Iowa families and to Iowa’s economy.
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 >>The Senate has joined the fight against hunger by creating a state emergency food program, something that 38 other states have already done. More than 382,000 Iowans report that they are unable to afford the food they need. This includes seniors and working parents whose budgets have been squeezed by the national recession and rising [...]
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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 [...]
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Year-round farmers’ markets will soon come to Iowa because of House File 2092. After all, why not encourage Iowans to purchase Iowa-produced farm products in any season? This is a great way to support local jobs and economic growth, provide new markets for farmers and artisan food producers, and help Iowans purchase nutritious, locally grown [...]
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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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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