Senate Journal: Page 53: Tuesday, January 10, 1995

    world's brightest minds so that Iowans are getting an excellent higher
    education at a reasonable price.

         Iowa's independent colleges and universities attract students from
    Iowa and out-of-state.  Seventy percent of those students remain in our
    state to live and work.  With the increase I am recommending in the Iowa
    Tuition Grant, more Iowa kids will have access to the Iowa college or
    university of their choice.

         Iowa's community colleges have become key partners in both our
    education and economic development strategy.  They have proven to be an
    invaluable resource in technology and job training as well as lifelong
    learning.

         There are other key action steps that I am asking you to take in
    this ambitious agenda for Iowa's future.   We should improve access to
    affordable health careby:

         Allowing farmers and other self-employed Iowans to deduct all of
    their health insurance premiums on both their federal and state income
    taxes;

         Reforming our medical insurance malpractice system to reduce costs
    by preventing  unnecessary lawsuits and capping certain damage awards;
    and

         Putting a safety net in place so that all Iowans are assured access
    to a standard insurance policy at an affordable price.

         Our ethics and campaign finance disclosure laws also need to be
    strengthen requiring state officials to make a full financial disclosure
    and limiting the size of contributions from special interest PACs and
    individuals.  And, anyone who is being compensated to influence public
    policy should be required to register as a lobbyist and disclose all
    compensation received.

         The condition of the State of Iowa in 1995 is strong and getting
    stronger.  The Reverend Robert Schuller, a native of Sioux County, says
    that tough times last, but tough people do.  That certainly describes
    Iowa in the 1980's. Those tough times didn't last, but the tough people
    of Iowa did.

         And in 1994 those people spoke.  We, as their servants must respond
    in 1995. We must cut taxes, reduce the size of state government, help
    create better jobs, crack down on criminals, reform welfare, and give
    our children the best education  in the world.  That is our mission for
    1995 -that is our agenda for the future.

         Remember the warning given by the American philosopher, George
    Santayana:

         Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

         In the past, there were those who put government first and the
    people second.  We must put Iowa families first in our minds, in our
    hearts, and in our actions.

         As your Governor, I plan to focus all of my energies, all of my
    efforts, on getting this job done. This is no time for politics; it is
    time for, governing for the good of our people.

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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