Three candidates seeking Iowa Senate District 45 seat

SANDY GREINER

Sandy Greiner of Keota, who formerly served as the House District 89 representative, is the Republican candidate for Senate District 45 this year.

Greiner said the two primary issues she sees needing to be addressed by Iowa lawmakers are getting the state spending under control and creating jobs.

Greiner said she is outraged at the way the Iowa Legislature has squandered money the last two years.

Greiner feels the current legislature has ?failed miserably.? She said the state budget was balanced by simply not funding things. She also pointed out school districts were shorted $167 million last year, and although the state gave districts the authority to levy for the money they were shorted, she believes that it pushes the funding off onto property taxpayers.

Greiner said tough decisions will have to be made this coming year.

She believes a plan of tax cuts, combined with accelerated depreciation and investment credits, is what is needed in Iowa to balance the budget. She believes tax cuts would give Iowans more money to spend, which, in turn, would provide more sales tax money to the state. She has said the tax cuts could be an incentive that helps get the economy going.

Greiner credited Iowa?s agriculture-based economy as a reason for the state not being hit as hard as others by the national recession. She added agriculture also is a key to getting out of the recession.

?When I first went into office, we were $408 million in the hole,? she ?

BECKY SCHMITZ

Democrat Becky Schmitz of Fairfield is hoping voters will re-elect her to the Senate District 45 seat.

Schmitz said she has learned more and understood more about the wide range of work handled by the state Senate during each year of her first four-year term as a senator.

Talking with her constituents often brings up topics that she?s never had experiences with, and that sends her on learning quests, she added.

Schmitz said jobs and the economy are the top priorities in the 2010 election.

?It?s what people are concerned about,? she said. ?I know people are still trying to find jobs.?

Schmitz encourages businesses to take advantage of what the state of Iowa has to offer. For instance, the Save Our Small Business loan fund, which got under way in August, can help with improvements. The program has received about 50 applications so far, she said.

She also pointed out the state has invested in providing consultation services because businesses that use a consulting service are 35 percent more successful than those that don?t.

?I?m encouraged when businesses use what is available,? she said.

But, she continued, to keep current businesses here and entice new ones to come, ?we have to have a highly educated work force.?

Education is a high priority of Schmitz?s because of her background ? she was a school social worker for 27 years ? and she believes investments in the state?s ?

DOUG PHILIPS

Douglas Philips of rural Keosauqua is the Iowa party candidate for Senate District 45.

The state?s budget, transparency in government and limiting the terms of government officials are issues Philips sees as priorities.

Philips feels the state should control its spending. He explained Iowa used federal government money last year to fill in the gaps left by the governor?s 10 percent across-the-board cut. He does not think federal money will be available to bail out the state next year, and the state will not be able to meet its promises.

One way to help control spending would be for the state to do away with duplication of services, he continued. Too much duplication exists in government, he said.

He also is concerned about the shortfall of IPERS funds, which is the retirement fund for state employees. He explained the fund is based on stock market investment returns, but with the current returns, it will be difficult for the state to keep promises made to government retirees.

?Our fiscal house is in quite a mess,? said Philips.

Philips also said he feels the state?s ?sunshine laws? need work.

?There are too many exceptions to open meetings,? he said. ?There?s a saying ? ?Sunshine is the best antiseptic? ? and I think that is true.?

Philips also added he is in favor of limiting the terms of government officials.

?We need independent thinkers,? he said. ?Leadership is lacking, and I may be part of the solution.? ?

For the complete profiles of the Senate District 45 candidates, see the Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.