Democrats’ vision, proposals can spur job creation in Iowa

Editor's note: The Gazette Editorial Board asked state political leaders how legislators can help create more good-paying jobs in Iowa during these difficult economic times. The Democrats' response appears today. The Republicans' response will be published Thursday.

By Mike Gronstal and Pat Murphy

As the 2010 session of the Iowa Legislature begins work this week, we face significant challenges. The national economic recession is still causing pain for too many middle class families and small businesses, as well as the state budget. However, we also have an extraordinary opportunity to help Iowa emerge from this recession stronger than ever with a growing economy that creates good-paying jobs.

As leaders in the House and Senate, that opportunity will guide our work in this year's shortened session. Keeping the Legislature focused on a growing economy and good-paying jobs will be our top priority. There are several pieces to the puzzle that will help us take advantage of this opportunity.

First, we will keep the state's fiscal house in order and balance the budget without raising taxes. We've done this the last three years and we will do it again this year. Compared to other states on the edge of bankruptcy, our economic blueprint has placed Iowa ahead of the nation. The independent, non-partisan Pew Center ranked Iowa the second-best managed state in the nation and we will work to make state government more efficient and accountable. Because of our planning, Iowa has $419 million in our reserves, and we are spending less this year from the state's general fund than three years ago.

Second, we will refocus state job-creation efforts to help small businesses and ensure we are getting results. We will focus our limited state resources on key industries that hold the greatest promise for the future or Iowa. We also will complete a top-to-bottom review of corporate tax credits to ensure they are creating the jobs promised.

Third, we will continue our efforts to put Iowans to work upgrading critical infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges and high-speed Internet access. In addition to a short-term economic boost, a solid infrastructure will help Iowa's economy grow for decades. This effort also means helping communities still rebuilding from the devastating natural disasters of 2008.

Fourth, our work force must have the skills and education to compete for jobs in today's global economy. It means that every Iowa child must get a quality education with the skills necessary to enter the high-tech workplace of today or continue their education beyond high school. It is also essential that experienced workers can upgrade their skills and education to keep up with the rapid changes in our world.

Our vision has begun to pay off. Iowa's unemployment rate has held steady, while other states continue to rise, and there is a 30 percent increase in private workers rebuilding our roads and bridges. A leading business magazine ranked Iowa among the best states in which to do business, up significantly from three years ago. We also remain the world's leader in renewable energy and second nationally in wind energy output.

Our challenge as leaders is to keep the Legislature focused on this opportunity. We can't get sidetracked by politics or divisive issues that won't help middle class families or small businesses. We also can't afford risky plans that benefit big corporations and Wall Street at the expense of small businesses.

Despite these tough economic times, Democrats in the Legislature will not listen to the gloom-and-doom crowd. We will not give up on Iowa's children and our state's future. Instead, we will secure our future by continuing to listen to all Iowans and advancing policies that build a strong economy that creates good-paying jobs so the next generation of Iowans can succeed.

Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, is Iowa House Speaker and Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, is Senate Majority Leader.