House Journal: Page 7: Monday, January 11, 1999

	Ron, as Representative Grundberg has noted has been Speaker now for the past two sessions of the General Assembly having first taken office in 1995. He has 

those qualifications of experience that has helped to put this state in the position it is today of having the largest surplus in Iowa history and a remarkably low 
unemployment rate. The prosperity we enjoy today is due in part to Ron Corbett. Finally Mr. Speaker I second the nomination of Ron Corbett for Speaker of the 
House because he has what it takes to lead this House. He has what it takes to lead Iowa. Thank you.
Schrader of Marion seconded the nomination of Ron J. Corbett for Speaker of the House, preceded by the following remarks:
Mr. Speaker I wish to second the nomination of Ron Corbett of Linn County as Speaker. During previous sessions, Ron serving as Speaker of the House has 
demonstrated a deep commitment to the House, its members and to the history and traditions of this great institution. During difficult times when we are most 
tested, Ron has recognized the intense feelings on the issue of the day to not be allowed to override the legislative process which has developed through time and 
tradition and has served this House well. Ron's judgement as a leader has been good. It's my pleasure to second the nomination of Ron Corbett of Linn County as 
Speaker of the House.
In accordance with the foregoing motion, the Acting Chief Clerk cast the votes of all the members of the House of Representatives 
for the Honorable Ron J. Corbett as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Seventy-eighth General Assembly. The 
Honorable Ron J. Corbett of Linn County, having received all of the votes cast for the office of Speaker of the House of 
Representatives of the Seventy-eighth General Assembly, was declared duly elected to that office.
Grundberg of Polk moved that a committee of two be appointed to escort the Speaker to the chair.
The motion prevailed and the following committee was appointed: Grundberg of Polk and Chiodo of Polk.
PRESENTATION OF SPEAKER
The Honorable Ron J. Corbett was escorted to the Speaker's station and, having been sworn, assumed the chair.  Temporary 
Speaker Gipp of Winneshiek presented Speaker Corbett with the gavel and congratulated him on his unanimous election.
Speaker Corbett thanked the House for the honor bestowed upon him and offered the following remarks:
Thank you so much for the honor and responsibility to be your Speaker for the next two years. Even though this is my third term as your Speaker, I still get awe 
struck ^seeing the Capitol as I turn onto I-235. And, as I walk up these steps and into this chamber, I still need to pinch myself. What a wonderful opportunity we 
have to mold, shape, and set public policy. 
There was a guest speaker that came to Cedar Rapids to give a talk on how business will be successful in the future. He said it's not the big versus the small, or 
the strong versus the weak, but rather the fast versus the slow. Those quick to change will have the advantage. Government has never been known for being very 
swift. But, as I look out into this chamber, I don't see any timid souls. I see people who are here to make a difference. In my 12 years here, this chamber has never 
been known as a "do nothing" chamber, and from the looks on your faces, this year won't be an exception. 
So, what's ahead? We have some opportunities, some challenges, and some problems to address.
Opportunities...We have many. I would like to highlight one. We have a 900 million dollar surplus and revenues are running ahead of projections. The taxpayers 
deserve a raise. There are three ways we can increase the take-home pay of Iowans: We can mandate what employers have to pay, but that's not very practical. We 
can increase educational and job training opportunities so people can get a better job, which we will do this year. The third way is to cut the taxes on Iowa families. 
We have an opportunity to eliminate some inequities in our tax system and increase people's take-home pay.
On December 23rd, I was riding around Cedar Rapids with one of our city planners. He was showing me some of the Tax Increment Financing projects in Cedar 
Rapids. We drove by three men who were out laying pipe in the bitter cold, making sure someone would be able to get water out of their faucet when it was turned 
on. Last Thursday, I dropped Nicolas and Anna, my two youngest, off at their pre-school program. Two ladies were there working, taking care of the seven or eight 
babies in the nursery. These people could have been from any town in Iowa. They're working and contributing to the economy. It's their 900 million dollar surplus. 
I know that over the next few months, you'll be told to "go slow," and be given all kinds of reasons why Iowans don't deserve an increase in their take-home pay. I 
want you to think of those pipe fitters working in the sub-zero weather and those day-care providers changing the kids' diapers. We have an opportunity to give them 
a raise. You and I both know they deserve it.
Challenges... We have many of these too. Let me talk about the most important one, improving education. I think it's great that we are not satisfied being one of 
the best in the country. We want to be better. I made the statement a month or so ago that I want Governor Vilsack to be successful in his efforts to improve 
education. The reporter looked at me with a skeptical eye. Why do I want Governor Vilsack to be successful? I have four children. One is in the first grade and 
another is in kindergarten. If we improve education, my kids will benefit. Your kids and grandkids will too. If we don't improve, our kids suffer. 
Jeremy's in first grade in a class of 27. Matthieu is in a kindergarten class with 22 children. Mrs. Frischcorn and Mrs. Kollander, I don't know how you do it. All I 
can do is say thank you.  There are thousands of Mrs. Frischcorns and Mrs. Kollanders all over our state. I want to congratulate you, Majority Leader Siegrist, for 
initiating a recognition program honoring teachers here in the House. 

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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