Capitol Comments by Rep. Curt Hanson

State Representative Curt Hanson, represents Iowa House District 82, which includes most of Jefferson County and Davis and Van Buren counties, in the state Legislature.

The session opened with positive comments from both sides of the aisle.  Our first priority this session will be to develop and approve a common sense budget that promotes middle class families.

The support of families includes a quality and affordable education that provides for a highly skilled workforce that is capable of meeting the needs of our growing economy and the challenges of world competition.

Last year the session ended on a bipartisan note with the historic passage of commercial property tax reform, education reform, and county mental health reform. We must continue our efforts to enable families to improve their ability to meet the demands of an ever-changing workforce through affordable community college programs and reasonable university tuition rates. Rural development and the preservation of the quality of life are on the minds of many Iowans and areas which I think are important as well.

Tuesday, the Governor delivered his Condition of the State Speech to a joint session, the House and Senate members of the Legislature. I was inspired by the Governor?s Condition of the State Address to the Legislature. I stand ready to work together with the Governor and Republicans in building a strong middle class, starting with well-paying jobs. I was pleased to hear the Governor talk about issues such as renewable energy, keeping tuition affordable and connecting more homes and businesses in rural Iowa to broadband technology.

In Iowa, the average income has grown, however, the number of families and children eligible for public assistance continues to grow. This tells me the economic recovery Iowa is experiencing is uneven and many middle class families are sinking into poverty. Being proactive in the creation of well-paying jobs is important to the future of Iowa.

In my opinion, we need to provide more economic security to middle class families through initiatives such as raising the minimum wage, affordable tuition and expanding job training efforts, so Iowans can get the skills they need to land a job that will support middle class values.

Raising the standard of living for the citizens of Iowa will require the consolidated efforts of all of us. Let us start with ourselves! We must raise our expectations and demand more of ourselves and our children.

On Wednesday, Chief Justice Cady reported on the State of the Judiciary. The Chief Justice gave a glowing report of the 8A Family District Court of Judge Owens who serves our area of Southeast Iowa.

Judge Owens, of Ottumwa, presides over one of only six federally funded Family Courts in Iowa. The Family Court of Judge Owens has proven very successful in preventing further destruction of family relationships that often lead to imprisonment.

We gave Justice Cady a standing ovation when he said, ?Success comes one family, one parent, one child at a time. Family treatment courts can reunite broken families and will create a better Iowa for all of us.?

On Thursday I met with Brad Buck, our newly appointed Director of the Department of Education. Buck reported that his emphasis will be on the orderly implementation of last year?s school reform package.

I spoke to Buck about the concerns those of us in rural areas have about the inequity of the education available in rural areas. This inequity is caused by the burden of transportation many rural districts struggle with.

In rural school districts, the transportation costs may deduct $1,000 or more per student from the money available for the actual education of children.

City school districts have a much lower transportation cost per student and are able to spend a larger percentage of their budget on the actual education of students.

In my opinion, city kids and rural kids should have the same educational opportunities. After meeting and speaking with Buck, I think he will have a very positive influence on the leadership of Iowa?s educators and the education of all Iowa?s children.

Some other issues likely to be considered this session include: encouraging the continuation of production and use of renewable energy such as wind, solar and biofuels; improvement of our water quality and the conservation of our soil; expanding access to broadband and WI-FI, especially in underserved rural areas; cutting taxes for middle class families; and expanding preschool.

I am excited about this year?s session and I am driven to accomplish goals that focus on middle class and rural families.

Hanson serves on the House Agriculture, Education and Natural Resources committees, as well as the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

Contact Hanson anytime by email at curt.hanson@legis.iowa.gov or by phone at 919-2314.