Ragan Report

By: 
Amanda Ragan

Boost for Iowa businesses and veterans in need
 
     Do our state agencies need to buy digital cameras from a Massachusetts company?
     Why would state government purchase bread and bakery products from Missouri?
     Should the state have hired a New York company to help market and promote Iowa to tourists?
     What if we gave Iowa businesses that employ Iowans, pay local property taxes and produce Iowa products a chance at state contracts while still getting the lowest bid for Iowa taxpayers?
     Senate File 1, known as the Iowa First initiative, can help by giving Iowa businesses priority in competing for state contracts. The bill will allow Iowa companies seeking to sell products and services to the state the chance to match competing out-of-state bids if the projects are less than $500,000 and the Iowa firm is within 5 percent or $10,000 of the lowest bidder.
     Iowa businesses need opportunities to grow and expand if our economy is going to thrive. First and foremost, our businesses need customers for their goods and services.
     In other Statehouse news, the Iowa Senate has unanimously approved a stable income for the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund through designated Iowa Lottery proceeds. The trust fund is currently funded through four veteran-themed games put out by the Iowa Lottery each year. While sales of the games have declined in recent years, the Veterans Trust Fund has seen increased applications for help from veterans in serious need.
     Senate File 323guarantees that $2.5 million in lottery revenues will be transferred annually to the Veterans Trust Fund in place of the four-game requirement. That amount is the average Lottery proceeds received from the four designated games in previous years. The Lottery will promote this connection with the Veterans Trust Fund, and plans to continue patriotic-themed games on occasion. Senate File 323now goes to Gov. Branstad, who is expected to sign it into law. 
     The Trust Fund helps veterans with such things as vision, hearing or dental care, durable medical equipment, emergency home repairs or transitional housing, and unemployment or underemployment assistance due to service-related causes. The Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs reviews applications and approves all expenditures. Learn more about the Veterans Trust Fund or apply for assistance at https://va.iowa.gov/benefits/index.html#Veterans_Trust_Fund.
 
• 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. Email her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.
     Sen. Ragan is an Assistant Senate Majority Leader, chair of the Health & Human Services Budget Subcommittee, vice-chair of the Agriculture Committee and vice-chair of the Human Resources Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Natural Resources & Environment, Rules & Administration and Veterans Affairs committees.

Hampton Chronicle

9 Second Street NW
Hampton, IA 50441
Phone: 641-456-2585
Fax: 1-800-340-0805
Email: news@midamericapub.com

Mid-America Publishing

This newspaper is part of the Mid-America Publishing Family. Please visit www.midampublishing.com for more information.