Senate Journal: Page 978: Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  infrastructure will deteriorate.  The same is true with our universities and
  community
  colleges.  I understand that this is gradual, but it nonetheless takes
  place.  When we
  try to encourage new businesses to come to Iowa or existing businesses to
  expand in
  Iowa, they all tell me they look at our infrastructure, that is, schools,
  hospitals, roads
  etc.  Additionally, when you reduce state programs, invariably costs are
  shifted to the
  local property tax, which is probably the one Iowa tax that is out of line
  with
  surrounding states.  By arbitrarily putting limits on local governments
  beyond what
  now exists, you are hamstringing the government that is closest to the
  people.  Instead
  of limiting local government during the good times of the last ten or so
  years, you
  should have been shifting the cost from the property tax to state revenue
  such as has
  been done with schools.

  I understand that in times such as these your job is difficult.  There is a
  government that is divided politically.  You are besieged by outsiders and
  press who
  know what you should do, but who do not have a consensus among themselves.
  Whatever you do, there will be critics who berate you.  Notwithstanding all
  this,
  remember that there have been times when under such circumstances some of
  our best
  legislation has been passed and that it has stood the test of time.  I
  certainly wish you
  success with the very difficult issues confronting you today.

  Representative Connors presented the Memorial Choir, who
  performed "The Irish Blessing."

  Representative Jacobs moved that the joint convention be
  dissolved at 2:54 p.m.

  The motion prevailed by a voice vote.

  The Senate returned to the Senate Chamber.

© 2001 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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