Small Town News

The Appel Report

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Keeping college and career training affordable for Iowans: A skilled and educated workforce is key to rebuilding a strong economy That's why we keep investing in the college and job training programs that are helping make Iowa's economic outlook brighter than other states.

To make job training and a college education a real opportunity for more Iowans, I've worked to ensure that higher education remains affordable. For example, this year the Legislature provided $24 million specifically to help prevent increases in tuition, student fees and charges at our state universities.

We're also helping community colleges prepare Iowa students for good jobs. Our community colleges provide an affordable, high-quality education to tens of thousands of Iowans each year. They are the pathway to a better life for many families, helping to build the skilled workforce needed to fill high-wage jobs and attract top-notch businesses to Iowa.

During the 2010 session, we once again provided strong financial support for our community colleges and their programs. This includes:

$5.5 million for Accelerated Career Education (ACE), which allows community colleges to partner with local businesses to provide vocational programs and accelerated training for employees.

$2.4 million for Vocational-Technical Tuition Grants for community college students training for technical careers necessary for Iowa's economic development.

$2.4 million for the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, which provides $2,500 grants for eligible first-year community college students.

$2 million for major renovations and repairs, including health, life and fire safety needs, and for compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

An increase of $825,000 for faculty salaries.

Bipartisan legislative efforts receive high marks for Iowa: CNBC recently released its annual "Top States for Doing Business" report, and once again, Iowa makes the top 10. Our state placed sixth overall, the highest Midwest ranking.

Iowa placed No. 1 in the "cost of doing business" category, which takes into account individual income and property taxes, business taxes, gas tax and utility costs, as well as state workers' compensation insurance costs and rental costs for office space.

Iowa also scored well for quality of life, economy, education, business friendliness and cost of living. For more on the study, go to www.cnbc.Com/id/37516043/.

A second new report is a testament to the sound budgeting we've practiced here in Iowa. According to Moody's Investors Service, our state has the second lowest state debt per capita in the nation.

Despite recent long-term investments we've made to respond to natural disasters and to rebuild the economy, our state has just $73 of state debt for each Iowan. Only Nebraska is lower with a per person debt of $15.

Most states are far deeper in debt. In fact, the median per capita share of state government debt nationwide is $936, almost 13 times as much as Iowa. Connecticut has the highest debt per capita at $4,859.

To contact Senator Appel when the legislature is not in session, call her at home at 515-961-6982. E-mail her at staci.appelC^legis.state.ia.us.



Copyright 2010 N. Warren Town & County News, Norwalk, Iowa. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 N. Warren Town & County News Norwalk, Iowa. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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