By Katie Schubert
Omaha, NE – Iowa's Senate Majority Leader says jobs and education will be the Legislature's focus this session.
The Iowa legislature returned to session Monday. During his Condition of the State address Tuesday, morning, Governor Terry Branstad outlined job creation and education improvements as his priorities.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal of Council Bluffs says both parties agree that the Legislature should take steps to keep jobs in Iowa. "We think there's a great opportunity to work, because there seems to be a consensus inside the Legislature that we should take a step towards reducing the burden of commercial property taxes. It's a competitive challenge for the state of Iowa in terms of attracting businesses here and encouraging businesses to expand."
Gronstal says support for new education initiatives will also create jobs. He says the Legislature should do more to support community college programs providing job training.
The Iowa Legislature is scheduled to meet until mid-April.
On the web: http://www.legis.iowa.gov