Senate Journal: Page 36: Tuesday, January 11, 2000

  population.  But pointed out that our full employment statistics are
  deceiving.  Even
  with record low unemployment levels across the state, there are Iowa
  populations
  experiencing high rates of unemployment.  African-Americans are unemployed
  at
  double-digit rates.  People with disabilities are unemployed at double-digit
  rates.

  We propose the creation of an opportunity fund that would provide resources
  to
  remove the barriers existing to full employment for those Iowans.

  At the start of the new millennium, let us bring Iowa's promise to all of
  its people.

  But, there is another group of Iowans that we should pay attention to in our
  quest
  for skilled workers-Iowa's at-risk students.  No child should be allowed to
  fall through
  the cracks by becoming a high-school dropout or failing to develop needed
  job skills.
  Our budget provides $9.8 million for alternative schools funding for at-risk
  students.
  We also propose the expansion of a public-private partnership started last
  year called
  Jobs for America's Graduates.  This program, currently thriving in 22 other
  states,
  focuses attention and resources on young people who are in the bottom 20
  percent of
  their class.  It has been successful in keeping teenagers in school to
  graduate, and then
  following through for a year after graduation to ensure their continued
  success at work
  or at the next level of education.

  There is more to do.  We have to complete the good work you did last year in
  creating opportunities for enhanced skills for Iowa's workers at our
  community
  colleges.  There needs to be greater flexibility given to the community
  colleges in
  spending the resources provided for infrastructure on equipment.  Financial
  assistance
  must be extended to those interested in upgrading their skills.  Any
  individual willing
  to work hard enough to obtain new skills and to stay in Iowa and use those
  skills
  should not be shut out by the cost of tuition.  The core program, which
  stands for
  career opportunities and resources for education, proposed in this budget
  will add the
  flexibility and financial assistance needed to make a good program even
  better.

  Our skilled worker shortage also can be eased by making Iowa an inviting
  place for
  those coming to America, drawn by its hopes and dreams.  Had it not been for
  newcomers from other countries, Iowa would have experienced an out-migration
  of
  citizens in the last decade.  We must make sure that Iowa lives up to its
  history of a
  welcoming state.  Too often, difficulties exist for immigrants coming to our
  state and
  for the communities in which they settle.  Many Iowa communities, such as
  Storm
  Lake and West Liberty, are working hard on these challenges.  All of Iowa
  should learn
  from their experiences.  We propose developing a number of centers for new
  Iowans,
  run by Iowa WorkForce Development, to help families and communities seize
  the
  opportunity of diversity.  Let freedom's beacon of inclusion shine brightest
  here in the
  heartland.  At the start of the new millennium, let us bring Iowa's promise
  to all of its
  people.

  Can improving the quality of life for new immigrants and being a leader in
  the new
  economy lead to more Iowans, younger Iowans, and better-paid Iowans?  Let me
  tell
  you the story of the West Liberty Elementary School, where half of the
  students come
  from Spanish-speaking homes.  Many of these children's parents work at West
  Liberty
  Foods turkey processing plant.

  Two years ago, the elementary school began an innovative program, aimed at
  producing bright, bilingual students.  Starting in preschool, students who
  volunteered

© 2000 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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