House Journal: Page 15: Monday, January 13, 1997

 income Iowans earn 50 percent of the income and pay 62 percent
of the income taxes. That's not fair. Democratic tax cuts will
give every taxpayer their fair share.
We believe that a well-educated workforce will be our greatest
asset as we enter a new century. To succeed in the next century,
every child must have some education beyond high school, whether
in a vocational trade school, at a community college or at one
of our public or private colleges or universities.
To prepare for the next century Democrats propose the "Iowa Wins
Scholarship" program. "Iowa Wins" would offer every recent high
school graduate a one-year, $1,000 scholarship for tuition at an
accredited post-secondary school in Iowa. Students placing in
the top 25 percent of their class would be eligible for a $2,000
scholarship. A better-educated workforce, fewer dropouts, better
test scores and a future of good-paying jobs, all result when
"Iowa Wins."
Democrats will continue our fight to put health care decisions
back where they belong _ with families and their physicians. We
pay insurance companies to help us limit financial risk but we
trust our doctors for our health care advice. Insurance
companies must not be allowed to make decisions, such as gag
rules for providers and drive-by mastectomies that are not in
the best interest of our families.
We have built prisons to take violent criminals off the streets.
This year we need to focus on juvenile crime and treatment for
troubled youth. Democrats will work to provide appropriate
punishment and treatment for youthful offenders. Today's system
of waiting lists and delayed punishment isn't working _ we can
do better.
Our Democratic agenda addresses the problems facing Iowa and
looks ahead to build future successes. We are thankful for this
time of prosperity in Iowa, but we believe things can be even
better. Mr. Speaker, Democrats are ready to go to work.
REMARKS BY MAJORITY LEADER
Siegrist of Pottawattamie offered the following remarks:
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Iowa House.
Good morning and welcome! It is always a pleasure to be in the
Iowa House of Representatives on opening day. One reason is
because it means I was re-elected. It also reminds me of the
first day of school when we see old friends and meet new ones.
It is always rewarding to look around this chamber and see 100
members who recently stood for election. I know that each and
every one of us comes into this session wanting to do what is
best for the citizens of Iowa.  We will have many differences of
opinion over the next several months as to what is best for our
state, but I believe we are all united in our efforts to move
Iowa forward.
To the twenty-one new members _ a very special welcome. You are
embarking upon a job that will most likely be one of the most
rewarding, exciting and at times frustrating experiences of your
life. The new members, combined with the rest of us, make up a
very diverse group of people which truly makes this a citizens'
legislature.
As we begin our work here today, I stand before you with a
request and a challenge. I offer this not just to the Republican
members of my caucus, but to all 100 members of this body. I
further extend this challenge to the Senate and the Governor.
The request is very simple _ we must remain committed to our
respective goals and principles, but in the truest sense of
legitimate legislative debate, we must seek to work together and
create a new spirit of bipartisanship throughout Iowa. Let us
have our honest differences, but let us also put the interests
of Iowa above all else.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: House Journal (77th General Assembly: Session 1)

© 1997 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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