Ragan Report

Expanding economy, growing middle class are focus for 2015

     Senate Democrats are preparing for the 2015 legislative session, which runs Jan. 12 through early May.

     After the 2014 election, Iowa will continue to have a divided state government. I will be part of the Democrat-controlled Iowa Senate, which will work with the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Republican Gov. Terry Branstad.

     As we have done in years past, we will continue to work in a bipartisan way to make Iowa a better place to live, work and raise a family. Our state is seeing growth, but there is much more we can do to create lasting economic recovery that will benefit all Iowans. 

     I will continue to fight for Iowa families and small businesses, particularly through my work on bipartisan Senate committees. Legislative committees are where much of the important work gets done in the Senate.

     For the 86th General Assembly in 2015 and 2016, I will continue as an Assistant Majority Leader. I will also chair the Health & Human Services Budget and serve as the vice-chair of the Agriculture and the Human Resources committees. In addition, I will sit on the Appropriations, Natural Resources & Environment, Rules & Administration, and Veterans Affairs committees.

     Every day during the session, I’ll search for ways to strengthen Iowa’s economy and help more families reach a better future. Regardless of party, I am always ready to work with everyone interested in creating jobs and growing Iowa’s middle class. Some of the ways we can do that include:

     • Giving Iowa companies the first crack at state contracts.

     • Keeping college affordable by freezing tuition at our state universities for a third year.

     • Ensuring Iowans are paid for the work they've done by cracking down on wage theft.

     • Giving workers the skills needed for 21st century jobs by expanding training.

     Every election marks a new beginning. I’ll do my best to get Iowa off to a good start by focusing on job creation. If you have ideas or concerns to share with me as I prepare for the upcoming session, please e-mail me at Amanda.Ragan@legis.iowa.govor call me at (641) 424-0874.

• Additional information

     This is a legislative column by Sen. Amanda Ragan, representing Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties. For newsletters, photos and further information, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/ragan.

     To contact Sen. Ragan during the week, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise she can be reached at home at 641-424-0874. E-mail her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.

     Sen. Ragan is an Assistant Senate Majority Leader, chair of the Human Resources Committee and vice-chair of the Health & Human Services Budget Subcommittee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Natural Resources & Environment, Rules & Administration and Veterans Affairs committees.