Senate Journal: Page 4: Monday, January 11, 1999

  legacy for this legislative session.  I look forward to working with each
  and
  everyone of you to accomplish that goal.



  REMARKS BY THE MINORITY LEADER

  Senator Gronstal addressed the Senate as follows:

  Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate:

  First, I'd like to welcome all of you to the Iowa Senate.  For the new
  members
  who have just been elected, I think you may be surprised to learn that the
  Senate
  is a pretty congenial place and that the vast majority of what we deal with
  is not
  partisan.  After a contentious campaign, it is hard, at times, to forget
  that
  elections are about defining differences between ourselves and our
  opponents,
   but governing   is about finding common ground to deal with the issues that
  face our state.

  I would also welcome the returning senators, both the holdover and
  re-elected.
  I look forward to working with each of you as the challenges of this session
  emerge.  We should also welcome the new staff that we see around the
  chamber.
  There have been a lot of changes for the Democratic staff in particular.  By
  the
  way, if you need to be in touch with any of our former staff I think most of
  them
  can be reached downstairs.

  The elections certainly produced results that both parties can take some
  satisfaction in and also some disappointment.  As you know, Democrats are
  understandably excited to have the opportunity to work with a Democratic
  Governor for the first time in 30 years and I would say to the Majority
  party that
  for 14 years the Democrats worked with the Republican Governor.  So if you
  need
  any advise on how that works we would be happy to share some of our
  experiences with you.  On the other hand, based on your experiences working
  with a governor of your own party perhaps there will come a time when we
  will be
  seeking your advice.

  Last session was supposed to be the education session.  Let's resolve to
  fulfill
  the promise of last year with bipartisan cooperation this year.  The danger
  signs
  for education could not be more ominous.  Iowa's first in the nation status
  on
  college entrance examinations has been lost.  Reading achievement levels in
  the
  early elementary grades have been falling slowly but steadily for the last
  six years.
  Math achievement levels have been declining for six years.  Our school
  buildings
  are crumbling.  The state fire marshal says one third of our buildings don't
  meet
  basic fire safety codes and as many as ten percent should be closed.  Forty
  other
  states assist their local school districts with their buildings needs.  Iowa
  should
  too.

  Last year in my opening speech we proposed what we called the 5 R's of
  Education.  Reducing elementary school class sizes, repairing crumbling
  buildings, raising young childrens' school readiness, requiring students to
  act
  responsibly, and rewarding student achievement and results.  We stand

© 1999 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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