IOWA SENATE NEWS
For immediate release: October 17, 2017

 

Statement by State Senator Bill Dotzler,
lead Democrat on the Senate Economic Development Budget,
on today’s Future Ready Iowa Alliance recommendations

 

“Building on bipartisan work by the Legislature over the past several years, the recommendations released today by the Future Ready Iowa Alliance lay out a plan to enhance the skills of Iowa workers.

“Senate Democrats have focused on initiatives to help Iowans get the right kind of education and training. That’s what they need to qualify for increasingly technical jobs, especially in our small towns and rural areas.

“Iowa business leaders continually tell us that the #1 problem facing our economy is a shortage of skilled workers.

“Unfortunately, the 2017 Republican budget cut many of the very efforts needed to accomplish the Alliance’s goals. If they continue making such cuts, the state of Iowa will continue moving in the wrong direction.

“The Alliance’s work reaffirms that we must put MORE resources toward ensuring Iowans get the education and training they need.

“By boosting our competitiveness in this way, Iowa workers and businesses will grow and prosper. All Iowa will benefit.”

-end-