Taylor wants another four years

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

State Sen. Rich Taylor, D-Mt. Pleasant, has announced that he will seek a second term to the Iowa Senate.

?I am running for re-election to the Senate so that I can continue to help create more opportunities for the people of southeast Iowa,? Taylor said. ?I will continue to work hard at creating quality jobs in our communities, improving public safety and raising the minimum wage so that we can continue to grow our middle class.?

Taylor represents Senate District 42, which includes all of Lee and Henry counties, along with parts of Washington and Jefferson counties.

The senator said he is determined to represent the people of the district as effectively as possible. ?I must listen to my constituents and work hard at the Capitol to get results and improve the quality of life for the families in Senate District 42.?

He said some of the highlights of his first four years in office included providing incentives to boost production of renewable energy, creating jobs in Iowa that are immune to outsourcing; maintaining basic funding for local public schools; approving the largest tax cut in the state?s history by reducing taxes on all businesses, helping small businesses the most, without shifting the burden to residential property owners; and holding down tuition costs at the state?s community colleges, so workers can get the training needed for 21st-century jobs.

During his first term, Taylor said the most significant tool he has learned is how to forge alliances with the other party and within his own party. ?I learned a lot about who to contact and lobby for support on an issue.?

He said that serving in the legislature has been an eye-opener. ?It is so much more difficult moving a bill forward than I thought. There is so much to it and things going on behind the scenes. If you want to get anything accomplished, you have to reach across the aisle.?

Serving as chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, he also serves on the economic growth, human resources, judiciary and justice systems budget committees.

He served seven years in the National Guard and is a licensed electrician, master HVAC technician and master refrigeration mechanic. Now retired, Taylor worked at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Ft. Madison for 26 years.

Taylor is a member of AFSCME Local 2989, where he has served as a blue-collar steward and treasurer. A lifelong resident of Mt. Pleasant, Taylor and his wife, Annette, have two children. Stephanie is a licensed esthetician and Nicholas works as a refrigeration technician at Pinnacle Foods, in Ft. Madison.

He said he looks forward to continuing to speak with community members through the campaign. ?Listening to my constituents and making sure the state fulfills its commitments to the citizens of Senate District 42 are my primary jobs.

?It is a lot of hard work but fun work because I can make a difference for someone,? he continued. ?I really enjoy the feedback I receive from my district on the issues that are important to them.?

Thus far, Taylor is the only candidate to announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the Senate district seat.