Educators to Re-Elect Senator Mike Gronstal

Senator Gronstal had a good meeting with Dr. Dan Kinney, president of Iowa Western Community College, on May 24. We discussed education funding in general and community college funding in particular. The governor’s proposal would drop state aid to 2007-2008 funding levels, even as enrollment continues to go up.
Our community colleges serve traditional college transfer students and those who go directly into the workforce. They offer certificate programs, one- or two-year degrees, and respond quickly to the needs of employers and area businesses. Governor Branstad wants to create 200,000 new jobs in Iowa. Our community colleges can deliver skilled workers for these jobs.

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Dear Friends,

Budget negotiations at the Iowa Capitol have stalled over support for education and job creation.

Our schools and colleges, as well as Iowa’s recovery from the national recession, will be damaged if we don’t reach a common-sense compromise.

To make that happen, Iowans need to get involved. That’s why I’m asking for your help. Please join your friends, neighbors and family members in voicing your concerns about unnecessary cuts to education at every level and the job creation initiatives that are helping our economy recover. The proposed cuts are unnecessary because we can afford these investments at a time when our state’s reserve funds are full at $600 million, and another $300 million will be added by the end of the fiscal year.

Here are 10 areas where Republicans insist on deep, unnecessary cuts that are causing gridlock at the Capitol:

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Dear Friends,

I regularly visit with local business leaders and economic development specialists. Time and again, I’m told that great schools and training opportunities are the best way for Iowa to compete for good jobs at good wages.

That’s why I want to protect Iowa education at all levels from unnecessary, short-sighted cuts—from early childhood to college to job re-training. I stand behind the Senate’s Education Budget, which maintains high standards while keeping education and training affordable and accessible.

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I want to offer my congratulations to Iowa Western Community College, which recently received the largest in-kind corporate contribution in the college’s history. The software that was donated by Siemens PLM Software has a commercial value of $65.2 million. This gift will enable IWCC to begin a design technology program that trains students on top-notch engineering design software and prepares them for available jobs in the workforce.

A group from Iowa Western Community College met with me at the Capitol on February 15th. Community colleges in Iowa are affordable and offer quality education and job training. In my working the Legislature, I want to make sure that does not change.

~~ Mike