From Rep. Sharon Steckman:
We wrapped up the 2012 legislative session on May 9th with progress towards creating jobs and growing Iowa’s skilled workforce. When politics and partisanship were set aside, several bi-partisan initiatives to put Iowans back to work were approved by both the House and Senate.
Some of the highlights include: a new high quality jobs initiative, expanded training at community colleges, tuition grants for students to fill job openings in shortage areas, and several other bills that will increase the use and production of renewable energy.
With Iowa facing a skilled worker shortage, we also took action to grow Iowa’s skilled workforce and ensure every Iowans can get a quality education. In addition to keeping tuition affordable at universities and community colleges, legislators worked together across party lines to expand early literacy efforts, personalize student instruction in our schools, and expand dropout prevention efforts.
Other highlights of the 2012 session include additional support for military families and our veterans, improvements in public safety, a redesign of the state’s mental health system, and improved health care in rural Iowa.
The state budget is balanced next year with over $985 million in surplus and reserves.
I want to take this opportunity to say “Congratulations!” to all the graduates and their families! This is a busy time of year. Please feel free to contact me throughout the interim. I look forward to hearing from you!
they need to do something about the food stamp/EBT/SNAP program. It should be used for nutritional foods, not candy, chips, snack cakes, soda, etc. this is a program that has been in need of reform for a long time.