In this year’s tax bill I do intend to pursue the option for counties (including Scott County) that have already declared Emergency Medical Service as an essential service, as well as any new counties who have not yet done so, to have access to a higher levy rate and new money. I want to be clear: Cedar County voters would still have to vote and adopt this option. The difference is that counties who already have voted and are adopting the EMS infrastructure would not have to start that process from scratch.
Next I want to address two items in the Governor’s State of the State address. She announced the creation of a new grant to advance healthcare careers in Iowa. The grant will provide an initial investment of $3 million dollars to create a new pipeline of workers to fill high-demand occupations in the healthcare sector. Additionally, discussions are being held to create another fund to help incentivize doctors, surgeons, specialists, etc. to move to rural Iowa and practice in the rural areas. This program, as it is currently being discussed, would look at items such as loan forgiveness. The State has a good track record in this arena as the program that was nurse specific and the program to lure veterinarians to rural Iowa has been very successful. Another program the Governor is promoting is a multi-million-dollar partnership with the University of Iowa medical research department to try and accelerate cancer treatments and cures. We must take seriously the initiative to address cancer rates in this state. I am strongly behind these efforts.
Speaker Pat Grassley formed a new committee called the Higher Education Committee which is tasked with taking a comprehensive look at Iowa’s higher education system. Taxpayer investment should be met with taxpayer return. The state has a vested interest in ensuring state dollars are being used to address workforce shortages rather than enforce ideological agenda. If you are a higher education institution that is doing the right things – you will pass this exam with flying colors.
I have repeatedly stated that no student should know their educator’s political affiliation through their professional duties in the classroom. I do not want professors on the left or the right indoctrinating students.
I also believe there are many degrees that will set students up for failure by sending them out into the world with a degree in subject matters where there is next to no demand. Taxpayers will no longer be footing the bill for degrees such as gender studies which defies biology and common sense by teaching that there are more than 20 different genders. As an American you are certainly entitled to enroll in classes like this but you should be paying for them not the taxpayer.
Listening post schedule for Saturday, Feb. 1
9 a.m.: Muscatine Community College Student Center
11 a.m.: West Branch Fire Station