Senate Journal: Page 39: Tuesday, January 13, 1998

  The committee waited upon Governor Branstad and escorted him
  to the Speaker's station.

  President Kramer presented Governor Branstad, who delivered
  the following Condition of the State and Budget Address:

  President Kramer, Speaker Corbett, Lieutenant Governor Corning, Chief
  Justice
  McGiverin, Justices and Judges, Senators and Representatives, State
  Officials,
  Distinguished Guests and Friends.

  One score and five years ago, I sat in this chamber as a freshman
  legislator, awed
  by the ornate surroundings, humbled by the responsibility given me by my
  constituents, and yet eager to do the people's work.

  Today, on this, my 15th report to you and the people of Iowa on the
  condition of our
  state, I stand, as your Governor, just as awed, just as humbled, just as
  eager to get on
  with the people's work.

  My passion for our state has grown with every day I have served it.  My love
  of our
  people is deepened with every act of kindness and goodness I have
  encountered.

  I am truly blessed to serve as your Governor.  I thank God every day for
  this
  opportunity and pray for the wisdom to make the right decisions.  And I'm
  not done
  yet.

  I am more pumped up about the future of our state than ever before.  Now,
  don't
  worry all you gubernatorial candidates - I'm not announcing for re-election
  here.  But I
  don't plan to go gently into that good night either.

  I will spend every waking moment of my final year as Governor pushing and
  pulling, speaking out and working behind the scenes, all to make this great
  state the
  best it can be.

  We've come a long way.  We've weathered a farm crisis as searing as the
  Great
  Depression.  We've seen hardships as well as bounty; economic uncertainty as
  well as
  prosperity; natural disaster as well as nature's benevolence.  The heart and
  soul of our
  state has been tried and tested, reinvigorated and renewed, seasoned and
  strengthened.

  Iowa's story is best described by something once said by a prominent
  American
  businessman:  "Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind
  the
  stronger the trees."

  Today, we stand together stronger and taller than ever before.  I am proud
  to
  report, the condition of our state is as good as we've ever had it.
  Consider just a few
  facts:

  ? In 1997, unemployment fell to the lowest level in history and the number
  of
  working Iowans rose to the highest level in history.

  ? (np)
  ? In 1997, the number of jobs created by new businesses rose almost 19
  percent.

  ? In 1997, we had one-third fewer Iowans on welfare than four years ago.

  ? In 1997, Iowa land values increased for the eleventh consecutive year.

  ? In 1997, we created one of the best student-to-computer ratios in the
  nation
  and within a year, every Iowa school district will be hooked up to the
  Information
  Superhighway.

  ? In 1997, we ended the year with a state budget surplus of over $800
  million -
  the state's best fiscal position ever.

  This record of achievement didn't happen by magic.  It took a lot of hard
  work by
  Iowans all over this fertile prairie all pitching in to build a better Iowa.

  And the people in this chamber, yes, you the members of the 77th General
  Assembly did your part too.

  A year ago, I stood in this very place and challenged you to take bold steps
  to make
  our state more competitive.  You answered that call.  And today, every Iowa
  taxpayer is
  paying 10 percent less in state income taxes.  The elimination of the
  inheritance tax for
  family members will help Iowa families pass on their piece of the Iowa Dream
  to loved
  ones.

  On behalf of all Iowans, I would like to thank you for taking those actions.

  But our job's not complete.

  As we stand on the cusp of a new century, we face unique challenges brought
  on by
  our own successes.

  ? We need more and better trained workers for a growing economy.

  ? We need even stronger schools to educate our children for the rigors of a
  world
  marketplace.

  ? We need new and more housing to provide shelter for a growing work force.

  ? We need to give all parts of Iowa a share of our growth by processing
  agricultural products here in Iowa instead of shipping out our valuable
  commodities.

  ? We need to protect Iowans from the few who break our laws and threaten our
  communities.

  ? We need to continue sanding off the edges of uncompetitiveness that burden
  our people and the state's long-term growth.

  The sun has indeed been shining on our state - but there are storm clouds on
  the
  horizon.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: Senate Journal (77th General Assembly: Session 2)

© 1998 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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