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Representative Ro Foege
Report from the Iowa Legislature
June 1, 2003
The Special Session
What was once a promising measure to improve the quality of life in Iowa has
disintegrated into something that I can no longer support.
After convening in special session last Thursday, very little was
accomplished in the Iowa House of Representatives. Any hope of quickly
resolving differences between the House and Senate on an economic
development package soon disappeared. As a result, except for a small group
of legislators, the session was adjourned until this week.
Although the session last Thursday was very frustrating, it is a promising
sign that leaders have not thrown in the towel. So what went wrong?
During the regular session, House Democrats and Republicans were able to
work together to create the Iowa Values Fund. The bill provided a plan to
spur growth, better use university research, improve parks and create new
cultural opportunities and improve school buildings throughout the state.
Businesses leaders, labor unions, the Farm Bureau and newspapers applauded
the House plan across the state as an ambitious and bold proposal worthy of
passage. Plans like this are one of the ways that we can help businesses
expand, improve the quality of life in Iowa and help keep young people here.
Unfortunately, the Senate Republicans did not agree. Their version of the
plan would provide one-third less money for business development, no
resources to promote regional economic development, and very little money to
improve our parks and quality of life including cultural arts opportunities
in Iowa. It would cut income taxes for the wealthiest Iowans and would
increase residential utilities taxes. Their regional economic development
plan separates Linn from Johnson County – ignoring the fact that the I-380
corridor is one of the best economic engines in Iowa!
We are waiting now for the Senate Republicans to work with the Governor to
reach an agreement.
I am honored to represent Iowa on the National Family and Children's
Advisory Committee of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Unfortunately, an
important meeting of that group takes place in Seattle when the legislature
is scheduled to meet this week.
Legislators from eight states are a part of the Casey Advisory Committee and
it is a boon for Iowa to have representation. For instance, the Casey
Foundation was extremely helpful to our efforts of developing Community
Empowerment, the early childhood education legislation we enacted in Iowa
several years ago. During the meeting this week, I will be focusing on the
need for improved childcare as an economic issue as well as job training in
a shifting economy.
This work is especially important at a time when the legislature will be in
Des Moines stripping common sense economic growth measures.
You can write me at the P.O. Box 128, Mount Vernon, IA 52314; or e-mail me at
ro.foege@legis.state.ia.us.
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