Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds, outlined her priorities during the 2019 Condition of the State address on Tuesday morning, and rural Iowa was a prominent portion of her speech. She called for bipartisanship in putting Iowans first and says it is all of their jobs to live up to the examples set by their many constituents who care for their neighbors, and even strangers. Reynolds says the condition of the state is strong.
She adds, however, that she realizes not every Iowan is feeling that success. She called on the legislature to fight for those who are struggling, ensuring the success of all Iowans. Future Ready Iowa is one of those tools in helping match individuals with dynamic careers.
She is also asking the legislature to invest $20 million to fund the plan that was initiated last year. She has outlined a commitment to pre-K through 12 education with a budget proposal of more than $93 million in additional funding, which includes a 2.3 percent per-pupil increase. In addition, she is seeking $11.2 million for disproportionate transportation costs and $1 million in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) funding for a total investment of nearly $3.4 billion. She has created the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative with a focus on connecting, investing and growing rural communities. This, she says will require a $20 million, investment over two years for broadband infrastructure and a doubling in workforce housing tax credits for rural communities with well-planned projects. Reynolds introduced the establishment of the Center for Rural Revitalization. The center, she says, will focus on making rural Iowa an even greater priority and providing a roadmap for successes, like those seen in Jefferson.
The Forge will employ 30 technology consultants, with many of them coming right out of high school in a model of the program introduced in Silicon Valley, Columbus, Ohio, Ann Arbor, Mich. and recently in Des Moines. Reynolds discussed Medicaid, mental health care initiatives, turning potential repeat offenders into productive members of society, protecting victims of crime and voting. She closed by saying the time is now to finish what we have started, and the time is now to deliver on the promises that have been made to Iowans looking for that way up. We will bring you more from this address in upcoming broadcasts.
