From Senator Amanda Ragan:
As 2013 comes to an end, we cap off a year that has pointed Iowa in the right direction on many fronts. We ensured more Iowans have access to good jobs, great communities, strong local schools and affordable health care—all while balancing the state budget without raising taxes.
These fiscally responsible investments in Iowa are paying off. Last week, the state’s nonpartisan Revenue Estimating Conference confirmed that Iowa’s economy is steadily growing. Our bipartisan effort to expand access to affordable health care, the Iowa Health & Wellness Plan, was approved. Also Iowa children are showing improvements in health, education and wellbeing, according to a new report from Kids Count.
This week, the nation’s leading wind power utility announced a major expansion in Iowa. MidAmerican Energy is buying hundreds of Iowa-built wind turbines from Siemens Energy to be installed on wind farms throughout the state. This clean, locally produced energy reduces our dependence on foreign oil, while creating good jobs and economic opportunities in our communities.
While 2013 is ending with lots of good news, there is more we can do to grow and strengthen Iowa’s middle class. Thousands of Iowans are still struggling to work their way out of the national recession. The number of Iowans in need of food has increased dramatically in recent years, and our state’s childhood poverty rate is climbing faster than the national average.
As we look to 2014, I will make sure we use Iowa’s resources wisely to build on our successes. You can expect to see another balanced state budget that invests in education, worker training and job creation.
If you have ideas that can help expand Iowa’s middle class, please e-mail me. The 2014 session is less than a month away and I value your opinions.
Ragan is a proven liar. I don’t believe a thing she says. Probably a drugger in hiding.
MidAmerican Energy, the nation’s leading wind power utility announced a major expansion in Iowa.
This is another rip off. While we subsidize the windmills with tax dollars from one pocket, we have our electric rates go up to pay for these taxes from the other pocket.
Green Energy should not cost more especially when it is not doing a thing to solve or curtail pollution.
WHAT PLANET ARE YOU LIVING ON?
Ms. Ragan YOU is delusional or just plain lying so you can toot your own horn?
JOBS:
It is Christmas and too many people are unemployed and hurting. Thousands more are without a decent job that pays enough. People are not out shopping like they have in the past. You lady, are in total denial.
SCHOOLS:
Schools have been turned into an expensive self- esteem builder that is producing narcissists by the 1000s. Education is a joke in Iowa.
HEALTH CARE:
Health care is a disaster. Neighbors on both side of me have been cancelled and the health care they are offered is more expensive with higher deductibles and less coverage. Doctors are pissed off and quality health care is going downhill.
TAXES:
Give me a break. Balanced budgets don’t mean a thing when you a taxing Iowans excessively. Get real.
If all of our problems were not so serious your BS would be laughable.
Merry Christmas Ms. Ragan, enjoy your shopping.