The 2010 legislative session has adjourned for the year and I'm proud of our record listening to your ideas and acting on your priorities. We helped Iowa's children receive a quality education, created good paying jobs and helped Iowa's small businesses, all while balancing the state budget without raising taxes.

You will be receiving a newsletter from me during the interim every other week. I encourage you to contact me with your ideas and suggestions. If you have any friends who are not on the list encourage them to subscribe here.

I look forward to serving you.

Iowa Gets Highest Mark for Fiscal Management, Economy

For the first time in Iowa's history, Iowa Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald announced that the state has received the highest credit rating from all three of the major rating agencies in the country.

Iowa received a AAA rating from Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch. Read More

"Save Our Small Business" Fund Approved

Governor Culver has signed the “Save Our Small (SOS) Business" legislation designed to boost small businesses. After meeting and discussing concerns with small businesses during the session, Legislators developed a small business loan fund, giving businesses access to capital. Iowa small businesses expressed this as a top concern.

Starting August 1, Iowa small businesses will have access to an SOS Business Fund that will provide loans at 3.9%. Administered through the Department of Economic Development and the Iowa Foundation for Microenterprise and Community Vitality (IFMCV) under Iowa State University, the loans will be for Iowa businesses with 35 or fewer employees. Read More

Flood Recovery/Jobs Plan Signed

The Legislature provided an additional $150 million investment in Iowa through the IJOBS initiative, which will modernize our state’s infrastructure, continue our flood recovery and prevention efforts, and create and retain jobs. Governor Culver signed this investment into law on Monday, April 26. It goes into effect starting July 1, 2010.

Over two years, our IJOBS investment in Iowa now totals $875 million, without raising taxes. The funding for IJOBS comes from state gaming revenues. Read More