Senate Journal: Page 51: Tuesday, January 10, 1995

         Iowa is one of a shrinking number of states that has no death
    penalty under any circumstances.  I believe we need to restore the death
    penalty for serial killers, lifers who kill again, and rapists or
    kidnappers who murder their victims.  An overwhelming majority of Iowans
    support this action and they should no longer be ignored.

         No criminal should go free because we are short of prison space.
    The state i building a new 750 bed prison and I am recommending we add
    another 750 bed prison this year.  Even though we may not be able to
    repeat the bargain we got with the Clarinda prison, we should see to it
    that we get the most for our money again.

         When a violent criminal is given a sentence, they should serve
    their time. Parole for the most violent criminals should be eliminated
    to keep hardened criminals in prison and out of our communities.

         One of the most frightening trends in Iowa and throughout the
    nation is the dramatic increase in crimes committed by juveniles.
    Juveniles who commit adult crimes should be tried as adults.  We need to
    take a tough love approach that holds them accountable for their
    actions.

         Taking a gun to school should be a felony and anyone convicted
    should lose their firearms rights for life.  School officials and
    teachers should be given the authority they need to maintain discipline
    and order.   To do that, it's time toget rid of the 24-hour notice for
    locker searches.

         New options in the prevention of juvenile crime must also be
    explored.  I am recommending the establishment of a truancy pilot
    project.   Kids that fail to lie  by the rules in school or at home need
    a more structured  environment  where they   learn  the  meanings   of
    respect   and responsibility.

         Fourth, we must continue to reform our welfare system to make it
    work even harder.  Iowa has been at the forefront in welfare reform.
    Our emphasis is on making  work pay, and today we have more welfare
    recipients working than any other state in the nation.

         We must strengthen our emphasis on work and accountability that
    reinforce our Iowa values.  Welfare should not promote dependency or
    divide families.  Our family investment policy is designed to instill
    the values of hard work, parental responsibility, and self-sufficiency
    to those in need.

         We can develop a strong work ethic by encouraging teens, whose
    families receive public assistance, to work.  If a teenager is in the
    full-time pursuit of a high school diploma, any earnings from a
    part-time job should not cause his or her family's assistance to be
    reduced.  Young  people need to learn that work is a good thing.

         Parental responsibility is something young people must have
    instilled in them at an early age.  Teenage parents should be required
    to attend parenting classes and live with their parents. Kids who have
    kids  don't  have the experience of life to guide them  through the
    challenges of parenthood.  All teenage parents should be required to pay

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.

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