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Sen. Kibbie: Opening statement, as prepared for delivery
1/12/2009

Contact: Sen. Jack Kibbie, 515-281-5933

Good morning. I would like to welcome you all to opening day of the First Session of the 83rd General Assembly.

We welcome nine new members to the Senate who have been sent by their constituents at a difficult economic time in our nation’s and state’s history. We need your best effort as we face a session where our primary responsibility will be to craft a balanced budget and position our selves for a brighter future.

As Senator Gronstal, Speaker Murphy and I told the press last week, the word that will be most often said is “no”. While we all will work to protect our priorities, we need to focus on those things that help us look to the future. In the near term the nation faces pain, but I am optimistic that the future for Iowa is bright. We have faced economic downturns before and always come out the other side as a stronger state. This time is no exception.

While the budget for FY 2010 will be our major objective, there are a number of policy issues I hope we will address. First, we can no longer put off the challenges to our transportation infrastructure. It is vital that we begin to clear the backlog of projects that play a significant role in future economic development. In my district my constituents, Republicans and Democrats, all tell me that we need to get to work and if the only impediment to that progress is money they are willing to pay a few more cents at the pump. I support efforts that result in a gas tax increase. Success in that endeavor will mean better roads, jobs, and an economic boost to Iowa’s families and communities. While there may be funds for these efforts as part of the federal economic recovery package, we also need to act. It’s time to declare war on the potholes and put people to work.

Second, we should not be afraid to address economic issues that benefit Iowa’s working families. We need to always be aware of the value of the labor performed every day in every part of our state. Policies that enhance the economic security of workers make us stronger. Iowa’s workers need jobs with good wages. Everyday I see workers leaving the state because of low wages. We cannot afford to export the talent and value those workers provide and we should not fear passing Legislation that help workers bargain for a better future.

Third, we must have higher expectations for our young people. We cannot continue to have so many young Iowans leave high school without graduating. Without education, these Iowans face an uncertain economic future. We need serious discussions about raising the dropout age. We must have a greater sense of responsibility to our students and greater focus on making school preparation for life. Skills, vocational training, and a commitment to lifelong learning should be the hallmarks of our educational system and we must do all we can to make schools relevant to those students who see no value. They are resources and we need to keep them involved and interested. At the front end, we need to fulfill our commitment to our pre-school initiative. It will pay long term dividends.

Lastly, on a more personal note, over 20 years ago legislators came to Des Moines and saw the long term neglect of one of Iowa’s premier resources, our State Capitol. They made a multi year, multi million dollar commitment to long term restoration of this unique and beautiful building. During the 2008 interim, restoration of the President of the Senate’s Office was completed. While I occupy this office, it is not mine. It belongs to the institution and the people of Iowa. I invite you all to stop in and see the transformation. I would especially like to recognize the work of Dick Labertew and Mark Lundberg who are the restoration painters who work for the Legislature. They did an outstanding job. I would invite you to stop by the office and see the results.

In conclusion, as we begin this difficult session, I look forward to working with you all and to a successful year. We have many challenges but they present us with unique opportunities as well.

Let’s get to work.

Thank you


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