The following is a legislative update from State Senator Amanda Ragan, representing Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties:
READY TO BUILD BACK BETTER IN IOWA
We kicked off the 2021 legislative session on Monday. Throughout the first week, the Governor, the Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard and legislative leaders laid out their ideas for addressing Iowans’ most pressing needs.
The last year has been bleak:
* More than 4,000 Iowans have died due to COVID-19.
* Tens of thousands of Iowans have lost work and are struggling to pay their bills. In fact, fewer Iowans are working today than 10 years ago at this time.
* Local small businesses face an uncertain future, and many have been forced to close.
* Education at all levels has been disrupted, as families, schools and communities continue to grapple with local health and safety concerns.
We can rise to meet these challenges, and Iowa can build back better than before. I support:
* Enhancing workforce development and skills training so that Iowans can fill immediate job openings.
* Expanding access to child care throughout the state so that parents can go to work with peace of mind.
* Investing in education at all levels—from preschool through career training.
* Making every Iowa community an attractive place to live with quality-of-life improvements.
I believe Democrats and Republicans can find common ground on many of these issues. I’m encouraged by proposals to expand rural growth, job training, child care, high-speed Internet, telehealth and mental health care, as well as to continue criminal justice reform. These long-standing needs have taken on greater urgency over the last year.
Working for you
It’s an honor to be back in Des Moines working for the people of Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties.
I’m available to help if you need assistance navigating state government, and I want your input on the direction Iowa is headed. The best way to reach me is by writing to my legislative email: amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov<mailto:amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov>.
