• Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Caffeinated Thoughts Gear
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • The Caffeinated Thoughts Podcast

Caffeinated Thoughts

Stimulating Christian Conservative News & Commentary

Social Media Management
  • Culture
  • Current Events
    • Sports
  • Education
  • Faith & Theology
  • Iowa News & Politics
  • State News & Politics
    • California News & Politics
    • Colorado News & Politics
    • Illinois News & Politics
    • Kansas News & Politics
    • Missouri News & Politics
    • Nebraska News & Politics
    • New Hampshire News & Politics
    • Ohio News & Politics
    • South Carolina News & Politics
    • South Dakota News & Politics
    • Wisconsin News & Politics
  • U.S. News & Politics
    • Election Central

The Sinclair Report: The Iowa Senate’s Misplaced Focus

February 14, 2014 By Amy Sinclair



amy-sinclair-clarke-county-students

Students from Clarke County came to the Capitol to discuss their experiences participating in FCCLA.

Five weeks into the 2014 Legislative session, and many topics are being discussed among lawmakers. Fostering an environment that promotes job creation and strengthening Iowa’s economy have not been front burner discussions. This is unfortunate, because when we take our eye off the ball, it impacts all Iowans – and not in a positive manner.

We must create ways to help make Iowa more appealing for businesses looking to expand or relocate in our great state. Jobs are vital to our state. They are critical to those raising families, pursuing the American dream and working to make ends meet.

The people of Iowa are turning to us to make wise decisions. We should be reducing the regulatory and tax burdens on those who create jobs because those who work hard to earn their money tend to spend it more wisely than those who collect it through tax levies. These are the discussions we should be having at the Statehouse.

In the Statehouse this year, we have heard a lot of talk on the topic of minimum wage. I believe this is the wrong discussion to be having. If we, as a state, want to help both businesses and individuals thrive, the conversation we need to be having is, “How can the Legislature help individuals gain the skills they need to succeed in our ever-changing marketplace?”

I have spoken to many businesses that are ready to hire, but are unable to find workers that have the proper training needed to accomplish these tasks. I believe that our community colleges and technical programs are the champions of our state’s future economic success.

Iowa is in a great position to achieve economic success. It is imperative we create policies that embolden businesses and lead to job creation. There is a lot of work still to be done this session on behalf of Iowans, and I give you my assurance I will not give up that fight. That is the government you expect, the representation you deserve, and the leadership you elected me to provide.

In an effort to avoid a crisis, the Iowa Senate approved allocating $2 million in general fund dollars to help low income Iowans heat their homes this winter. With rising home energy costs and the high cost of propane in the Midwest, this bill would allocate money to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and assist those who have signed up for the program. In District 14, those who sign up are most often the elderly and families with very young children.

The frigid temperatures and dangerous wind chills have caused Iowans’ heating bills to soar in recent months. Approving this bill assists those faced with growing costs of heating their homes when they need it most.

Senator Rozenboom proposed an amendment to the bill, which would allocate nearly $3 million to the program, and use existing funds instead of general fund dollars. The proposed amendment would have used money paid back in the form of loan payments to the Grow Iowa Values fund. I supported this proposal as it increased the funding to those in need and did not use general fund dollars or taxpayer money. Senator Rozenboom’s amendment was defeated by a slim majority.

Many Iowa families are experiencing financial hardships as the long, cold winter takes its toll on their heating budgets and bank accounts. Passing this bill in the Senate helps alleviate those struggles for Iowans in need.

  • About
  • Latest Posts

Amy Sinclair

Iowa State Senator Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) represents Iowa Senate District 14 (Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion and Wayne Counties).Prior to her election to the Iowa Senate in 2012 she was on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors for six years.

Latest posts by Amy Sinclair (see all)

  • Kadyn’s Law Falling Short of Expectations - September 15, 2016
  • The Sinclair Report: Gas Tax Increase & Marijuana - February 13, 2015
  • The Sinclair Report: Iowa Senate Rules & Supplemental State Aid - February 6, 2015

Related

Filed Under: Iowa News & Politics Tagged With: business climate, Grow Iowa Values Fund, Iowa Senate, Ken Rozenboom, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Minimum wage, Tax Policy

About Amy Sinclair

Iowa State Senator Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton) represents Iowa Senate District 14 (Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion and Wayne Counties). Prior to her election to the Iowa Senate in 2012 she was on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors for six years.

Get CT In Your Inbox!

Connect With Us!

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe to Our Podcast

Apple PodcastsBlubrry Google Play Music Podbean Soundcloud Stitcher

  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • CT Gear
  • Donate
  • Send a News Tip
  • The Caffeinated Thoughts Briefing

Top Posts & Pages

  • Top Ten Reasons Why Students Need More Literature (Not Less)
  • Update: Reynolds Signs Bill Changing Iowa's Statewide Assessment Developer
  • Family Research Council Hosts Discussion About Online Censorship of Conservatives
  • Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board Sides With Pate, Rebuts AP Story
  • Sioux County Makes ICE's "Name and Shame" List Twice
  • No Mass Shootings: The Myth of Australia's Gun Control Policy
  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Cheap Grace vs. Costly Grace
  • Utopia, And Why It's A Bad Idea
  • Ernst Calls For A Fix to Dysfunctional Budget Process
  • Seven Ways Christians Should Respond to Persecution

Recent Posts

  • Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board Sides With Pate, Rebuts AP Story
  • The Expendables: There’s More to Life than Death
  • Ernst Calls For A Fix to Dysfunctional Budget Process
  • Update: Reynolds Signs Bill Changing Iowa’s Statewide Assessment Developer
  • Family Research Council Hosts Discussion About Online Censorship of Conservatives
  • Episode 38: Carrying Out the Great Commission Among the Unreached
  • Iowa’s NAEP Scores Mostly Stagnant, Sees Drop in 4th-Grade Reading
  • The Iowa Legislature Should Not Delay Tax Reform

© Copyright 2018 Caffeinated Thoughts · All Rights Reserved · Hosted by 4:15 Communications, LLC.