Budget focuses on small businesses, families

By Sen. Roger Stewart

With the 2010 legislative session just around the corner, I’m keeping my focus on helping middle-class families and small businesses, creating good-paying jobs and balancing the state budget without raising taxes.

In spite of tough times, we can protect the progress we’ve made in these areas by continuing to change state government to make it more accountable.

The first major review of state government operations in nearly 25 years is already producing results. Republican and Democratic legislators and the governor have put together cost-saving proposals that will provide better services to Iowans while reducing bureaucracy and saving taxpayer money.

The governor has already issued an Executive Order to implement new practices that could save the state more than $700 million over the next five years.

In addition, the Legislature’s bipartisan State Government Reorganization Commission has unanimously approved a number of cost-saving recommendations, including increasing oversight and accountability for corporate tax credits, e-government innovations and consolidating purchasing.

Big corporations receive tax credits and other incentives that total hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Those tax credits should be re-evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that our investment is creating high-quality jobs for Iowans.

The commission’s recommendations — and many of the governor’s proposals — will be considered by the full Legislature when the 2010 session opens on Jan. 11.

I want to thank all my constituents who submitted suggestions for saving money and improving state government. Keep the ideas coming.

With your continued interest and support for reform, we can make real changes immediately and develop a long-term plan for improving our state.

Local schools to get new classroom technology

Local school districts will soon receive thousands of dollars for the purchase of new computers and software to help provide a cutting-edge education to students.

The money comes from a class action settlement with Microsoft that is making $60 million in technology vouchers available to Iowa schools beginning in January. Eligible schools are those with a significant percentage of low-income students.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, here is a general idea of what our qualifying local school districts will be getting:

Delwood — $18,280.84

Andrew — $51,940.52

Northeast — $55,299.55

East Central — $63,214.48

Bellevue — $72,292.62

Maquoketa — $277,278.63

Clinton — $700,845.95

The funds will be used on computer hardware and software to help students get the 21st century skills they need to succeed.

Iowans pull together in tough times

I know many Iowans are struggling these days. Families are tightening their belts, and concerns about jobs and the economy abound. The recent snow storm and subsequent cold spell have only added to the stress.

I’m confident, however, that the sense of community I see among local Iowans will pull us through. I see neighbors shoveling one another out, bringing meals to those in need, offering a ride, donating what they have and volunteering their time.

I’m proud too of how our public employees have gone above and beyond in so many ways, and I want to extend my appreciation to them.

During the recent storms, the Iowa State Patrol did a great job of assisting Iowans. According to the Department of Public Safety, the patrol handled 3,725 emergency calls between Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Wednesday, Dec. 9.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has been working since September to slow the spread of the H1N1 virus, and local public health agencies have done a tremendous job of making sure those at highest risk get vaccinated.

And Iowa Workforce Development is busier than ever. Our state’s unemployment rate is at its highest level since the 1980s, jumping from 4.3 percent in October 2008 to 6.7 percent in October 2009. Workforce Development staff members are putting in the long hours necessary to make sure that thousands of Iowans each week get the unemployment, training and job-search services they need.

Times are tough, but our Iowa work ethic and belief in personal responsibility will surely pull us through and make us stronger than ever.

Small businesses now eligible for DOT contracts

In an effort to include more Iowa companies in state work, the Iowa Department of Transportation will offer small business development contracts beginning in 2010.

The new program will focus on projects of less than $100,000 that require little or no specialized equipment. Projects could include tree removal, pavement patching, joint sealing, sidewalk repair, replacing culvert aprons and pavement painting.



Roger Stewart, a Democrat from Preston, is a member of the Iowa Senate representing District 13.

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