Senate Journal: Page 4: Monday, January 8, 1996

         Fellow Senators, staff, families and friends.  Welcome to the Iowa
    Senate and the beginning of the 1996 Legislative Session. I am sure that
    this body will once again look at many topics that will touch everyone
    in the state of Iowa.

         During the 1995 interim, I had the opportunity to visit with many
    of my constituents and Iowans across the state.  The topics of
    discussion ranged from hog lots to prisons; federal funds to education;
    and speed limits to the ICN.  All of these are very important issues
    that will touch at least one person in our families.  I will highlight a
    few of the items that I see as significant issues for this legislative
    session.

         Initially, the increase in responsibility for state governments
    over their constituents has arrived and will continue to do so. Before
    we address the tasks ahead of us, I want to remind everyone that we have
    been handed a full-deck of cards by our federal legislators.  They have
    given more power back to the states through block grants, yet perameters
    and scope have only begun to be defined.  With this, I am willing to
    work with my fellow colleagues in the Iowa Senate and House to make sure
    that these block grants are used for the better of all Iowans.

         This sessions high profile issue and number one priority will be
    addressing hog lots.  This issue will be a major test of this bodys
    ability to both -- resolve conflicts and find the proper solution for
    all parties involved.

         Education is always one of my priorities.  It is our duty as
    legislators, and some as parents, to provide for our states future.
    During the 1996 session, we need to look at the rapidly increasing cost
    and enrollment of Special Education.  In FY 1994 alone, expenditures for
    this exceeded revenues by $13.5 million.  For FY 1995, they are
    projected to exceed $15 million.  We need to remember these kids in our
    budget for FY 1996 with adequate funding.  This will only better these
    citizens to cope and live in Iowa as prosperous adults.

         In talking of appropriations and the FY 96 budget, the State of
    Iowa is in an advantageous position of deciding what to do with budget
    surpluses -- a position many other states envy.  There are several
    directions that we can go regarding this surplus. No one argues that
    there are very serious capital improvements that need to be done all
    across the state.  The longer the state delays repairing roads and
    buildings the more expensive the repairs will be in the future.  The
    building that we are sitting in is a perfect example.

         Another direction the state could choose to go is tax relief.
    Income tax and property tax reductions have been the subject of much
    media coverage and constituent concern.  Many have argued that with a
    surplus and the states finances in order, tax relief is the next step.

         Finally, the state must consider the effect of the federal budget
    changes.  At this point, no one, including the budget negotiators, knows
    what the final budget will be.  We would be wise to wait to learn of the
    final impact of the federal budget before we commit funds to other
    areas.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: Senate Journal (76th General Assembly: Session 2)

© 1996 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments? sjourn@legis.iowa.gov.

Last update: Fri Jan 12 20:45:07 CST 1996
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