House Journal: Page 17: Monday, January 11, 1999

Third is methamphetamine.  Methamphetamine use is a growing scourge on Iowa.  In a bipartisan manner, we intend to work with Democrats in the House, the 

Senate, and Governor Vilsack to fashion a package that will make a difference in putting a stop to this horrible drug.  Included in the package, there needs to be a 
methamphetamine strike task force made up of state troopers and drug enforcement agents, and a Prosecutor Posse, which will be made up of prosecutors who will 
go where they are needed across the state to try drug cases.  It is also imperative that we find resources for treatment and education to solve this problem.
And, yes, we will send Governor Vilsack his top priority in this area - life imprisonment for dealing meth to minors.
As we attempt to keep our young people in the state and entice people to move to our state, recreation, tourism, and quality-of-life issues must come to the 
forefront.  Programs we passed last year to help with historical sites in Iowa, biking and hiking trails, the recreational grant program, and the Restore the Outdoor 
Plan have all been successful in enhancing our quality of life.  
This year, we need to fund the Community Attractions and Tourism Fund to encourage Iowans to dream of projects and make them become a reality.  If it is a 
new arena or a race track, a rain forest, or a world-class zoo, the State of Iowa must help communities all across the state - urban and rural - make this a better 
place to live.  
At the same time, we must enhance the environmental quality of our state by providing funding to cap ag drainage wells to protect our ground water, to continue 
to fund the R.E.A.P. program and soil conservation programs, and it is time for Iowa to take a big step in protecting an unique geological treasure that in the United 
States is only found in Iowa - the Loess Hills.  It is imperative that the state help protect the Loess Hills for future generations.  
Lastly, workforce development and the shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue facing our state.  This chamber has already taken steps to address this 
problem with the passage of the apprenticeship program last year and various other workforce development programs.  But more needs to be done.  I applaud 
Governor Vilsack for putting Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson in charge of this very important area.  House Republicans look forward to working with the 
administration to make significant progress in attracting and retaining skilled workers in Iowa.
The other day when I went to pick up my kids at the sitter's house, I saw the local paper on the table with my picture on the front page.  It's a picture that is five 
years old that they continue to use even though I sent them a new one last year.  I said to my son, Evan, "Who's this a picture of, Evan?"  And he said, "That's you 
Daddy, but it's a bad picture.  You're older than that."
That comment made me reflect on the fact that I am humbled today to be starting my 7th year as Majority Leader and 15th year in the Iowa House.  I think back 
to the '80's when the General Assembly was making promises that they didn't keep, like funding R.E.A.P. at $30 million a year.  Or the early '90's when we had 
across-the-board budget cuts for schools because we were in debt.  Then, I thought proudly about how, in a bipartisan manner, we worked to eliminate the debt, 
reduce taxes, and build up the largest budget surplus in the history of our state.  That's a pretty good record of accomplishment.  But, the best is yet to come.  
Working together, we can make Iowa a place where our kids and grandkids will be proud to call home.

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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