Senate Journal: Page 4: Monday, January 9, 1995

         Education funding will be one of the first major issues we address
    this session.  We must ensure that we provide a level of funding for our
    K-12 school districts which gives them the resources necessary to
    prepare our children to lead us into the 21st century.  We must work
    together to meet the allowable growth deadline of February 10th so
    schools will have sufficient time to complete their budgets and
    collective bargaining.

         Economic development will be advantageous to all of us.  With the
    elimination of the machinery and equipment tax, we will be opening our
    states doors to expand manufacturing businesses -- bringing with it new
    and improved jobs.  It is my hope that this will be one of our
    accomplishments during the 76th General Assembly.

         Once again the telecommunications issue will be before us. This, in
    and of itself, is a big enough project to keep many people occupied for
    an entire session.  It will be my personal goal to make sure that this
    operation does not grow out of control for the taxpayers who will be
    financing the project.

         I also expect the General Assembly to move ahead on individual
    health care reform.  Although Congress was unable to reach consensus, I
    hope that we can agree on some basic concepts so that all Iowans can
    have access to high quality, affordable health care.

         Hammering out a new mental health funding formula will be quite a
    task.  We must be sensitive to the groups who need services, and to the
    financial burden on taxpayers and counties.

         The Legislature also needs to make real progress towards reducing
    crime in Iowa.  Juvenile justice, the death penalty and sentencing are
    key issues that deserve our careful thought and consideration.

         In the last two General Assemblys, the Iowa Legislature has reduced
    its rate of increased spending, balanced the states books and, as a
    result, built up a positive ending balance in its general fund.  At the
    same time the Legislature forced cities to freeze their budget for two
    years, forced many municipalities to borrow in the bond markets and
    reduced the ending balanced in their general funds.  At this point, the
    state has a more than adequate revenue stream to attend to its needs.
    It would be my hope that just because we have balanced books, we will
    not start spending our surplus on new and expanded programs.

         Agriculture is a major source of income for Iowa.  Livestock
    confinement facilities have been in the news almost daily.  Hog industry
    representatives are concerned that emotion and hysteria will drive the
    legislature to increase regulations on these facilities, which would in
    turn drive the industry out of the state.  Rural homeowners and
    residents of sprawling urban centers are concerned that the smell and
    the potential pollution of water sources will ruin their quality of
    life.  The decision will be how best to regulate these facilities with
    all concerns taken into account.  Senate Republicans will be there to
    help make these decisions.

Iowa General Assembly

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

© 1995 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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