Senate Journal: Page 3: Monday, January 9, 1995

         Welcome to the 76th General Assembly.

         My remarks will be brief.

         First, I want to welcome our new Senators and staff.  It has been
    said that this  Senate is a little like a large family--sometimes at
    odds on issues, but a place where experienced hands help new ones along,
    and where we always treat each other with respect.  I think youll find a
    lot of truth to that, and you will not only feel good about your policy
    accomplishments, but will enjoy working with the people here.

         My door is always open to each of you if I can help in any way.

         What do I see ahead for us this session?

         This year, we have 110 days to accomplish all we can in such key
    areas as:

         crafting a balanced and priority driven budget for the next fiscal
    year

         fighting crime

         providing continued economic growth opportunities

         examining our tax laws

         reforming government operations such as welfare and health care
    regulations

         supporting education excellence

         and other important issues.

         While we will not always agree on the details,  as far as I can
    tell, these priorities are shared by most of the members of the
    Legislature and the Executive branch leadership. With that shared set of
    priorities, and the healthy mix of experience and new faces in the
    Senate, I am optimistic we will continue to make progress this year in
    all these areas.

         Mr. President, Im ready to get started.



                         REMARKS BY THE MINORITY LEADER

         Senator Rife addressed the Senate as follows:

         Mr. President, Fellow Senators, Staff, Family and Friends.

         The Iowa Legislature is back to tackle the issues that face the
    state in 1995.  As the Minority Party in the Iowa Senate, we are here
    and ready to resolve these issues in the best interest of our
    constituents.  I look forward to a cooperative, productive working
    relationship between our caucuses and between the House and Senate.

         We have many issues staring at us.  The M & E tax, income tax and
    property tax relief, ICN and our states budget.  The Senate Republicans
    have been an integral player in helping to retire the states debt.
    Because of this, we are now able to operate our budget with a surplus.
    With a surplus now on our books, we are looking at possible income tax
    cuts.  This is good news for all Iowans.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: Senate Journal (76th General Assembly: Session 1)

© 1995 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments? sjourn@legis.iowa.gov.

Last update: Sun Jan 14 23:40:00 CST 1996
URL: /DOCS/GA/76GA/Session.1/SJournal/00000/00003.html
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