Senate Journal: Page 4: Monday, January 14, 2002
This session is also an opportunity to get Iowa growing again. We are dedicated to
growing Iowa while halting the growth of government. Later today, the Senate Ways
and Means Committee will start work on the Iowa Investment Initiative, a proposal
which includes suggestions from the Governor and suggestions from us on how best to
get Iowa growing.
This session will also be an opportunity for us to work together in a bipartisan
manner like never before. Fresh in our minds are the tough times that are hitting
Iowa families. But also fresh in our minds are the two very successful one-day special
sessions when we came together and did the hard work necessary to keep Iowa on the
right track.
While we all have strong core principles that never should be abandoned, we also
have to commit ourselves to working together to growing our great state.
These goals that I have outlined aren’t just my goals, they aren’t just the goals of
everyone in this room; they are the goals of the Iowans we represent. I look forward to
working on these issues with each and every one of you.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of the administrative staff and the
staff of the central staff agencies for all the hard work they have provided in the past,
and their efforts in the upcoming session, and also welcome all the new staff to the
Iowa Senate.
REMARKS BY THE MINORITY LEADER
Senator Gronstal addressed the Senate as follows:
Welcome.
This session is about building economic security for Iowans. Job layoffs and
struggling Iowa companies are affecting Iowa families. Moreover, Iowa’s status as a
low-wage state is negatively affecting every Iowan.
Low wages affect a family’s ability to provide medical care, provide decent housing
and feed and clothe the next generation of Iowans. Low wages limit the hopes of our
kids as they face higher tuition costs at our community colleges, state universities, and
private colleges.
Our state’s stagnant economy also limits our hopes as we seek to preserve and
improve our state’s reputation for educational excellence. The decline in state
revenues challenges us to preserve our priorities as we work to balance a tight budget.
The solution is focusing on improving the economic security of Iowans and laying
the groundwork for future growth. There are actions we can take before the end of the
month that will improve the lot of all Iowans and especially help struggling working
families.
Short-term solutions can address short-term needs. But we must also focus on the
future. We risk being left behind with an outdated, low-wage economy that is not
ready to compete and win in the 21st century.
© 2002 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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