Senate Journal: Page 1227: Monday, April 22, 2002
At the same time, we cannot go back on our commitment to our children and
families. Education at all levels is the number one priority in Iowa. To build on
progress in student achievement, reduced class sizes, and job and wealth creation, we
must have an educated workforce, and we must use our colleges and universities as an
engine for economic growth. Even as we work to cut budgets, we must do all we can to
preserve our commitment to education and maintain the educational opportunities for
our children.
To help ensure this educational commitment, I am approving Division IV, Sections
76 through 86, the education portion of Senate File 2326 with the noted exceptions.
While it falls short of my original goals for funding, given our current fiscal realities, it
is likely the best investment we can make at this time. We will continue to work for
additional resources in education through achieving savings and efficiencies in
government. In the end, however, we must look to our educated workforce and our
colleges and universities to be a catalyst for economic growth in our state. In the long
run, education is the key to Iowa’s economic prosperity.
In order for our children to have the best opportunities available to them, they
must also have adequate access to health care. Iowa has the distinction of being the
top performing state in the nation according to The Social Health of the States,
conducted by the Fordham Institute for Innovation in Social Policy. In an effort to
continue the progress we have made in ensuring every child receives the medical
attention they need I am approving Sections 106, which provides funding for the
Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i) program. In a nation as wealthy as ours, no
child should be left out.
Senate File 2326 is, therefore, signed on this date with the following exceptions,
which I hereby disapprove.
I am unable to approve Division I, Sections 1 through 33; Division II, Sections 34
through 45; Division III, Sections 46 through 75; Division V, Sections 87 through 98;
Division VI, Sections 99 through 105 and Sections 107 through 140; Division VII,
Sections 141 through 162; Division VIII, Sections 163 through 167. This action is
necessary as a result of the REC’s lowering the revenue estimates. I intend to work
with lawmakers in a special session this month to take responsible action to reduce
spending, reallocate existing resources, and balance this budget.
I am unable to approve Section 79, subsection 15, paragraph 2. This paragraph
states that it is the intent of the general assembly to cease providing assistance for the
Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program on June 30, 2003. This is a valuable
program that provides direct services to the most at-risk juniors and seniors in local
school districts through direct intervention. These students are worked with
intensively to ensure that they graduate and are successful in obtaining a job or
enrolling in postsecondary training. It is our duty to provide the tools to enable all
students to succeed.
I am unable to approve Section 79, subsection 16, paragraph 2. This paragraph
states that it is the intent of the general assembly to cease providing assistance for the
Americorps After-School Initiative on June 30, 2003. Americorps is an after school
program aimed at middle school students located in schools with high rates of juvenile
crime, violence and drug abuse. This is an important tool in linking people across Iowa
willing to volunteer to improve a child’s life.
© 2002 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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