I want all of you to know that the parking lot at the State Capitol Building is probably the coldest parking lot in the State of Iowa.  We are perched up here on a hill and every bit of winds hits this spot.  In spite of the cold, I was happy to have as visitors this week Ron Farrier, Tom Poeltler and Matt Poeltler, Farm Equipment Dealers from my District.  It is always really nice to see someone from home.

The Economic Growth Committee will be focusing on ten main issues during this session.  These issues are to help move and grow Iowa’s economy, along with encompassing the goals of generating wealth for Iowans and helping to improve the state’s fiscal situation.

The first issue is Statewide Enterprise Zones where we would expand enterprise zone benefits statewide and create "super enterprise zones" in extremely blighted areas.  Second would be in permitting and licensing by creating a one-stop shop for permitting and licensing within the Department of Economic Development. 

Third, in research and development we would like to create a better relationship with the Regents institutions on keeping research and development in Iowa.  Fourth, in the New Jobs and Income Program (NJIP) we would like to create a "junior" NJIP program requiring a smaller capital investment and fewer numbers of jobs created.   Fifth, in the Tort Reform area we could limit non-economic damages to $250,000 for personal injury or death in a health care facility such as a residential care or nursing facility.   Sixth, we could improve the return on Investment Fiscal Notes by requiring fiscal notes completed by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau to note what the return on investment will be to the State, in addition to looking at the cost.  Seventh, tax credits would improve by creating and better utilizing tax credits for ethanol, protein, and biotechnology production.

Eighth, limiting spending, in addition to the current 99 percent spending limitation, to the rate of inflation plus the population growth in one year would be an improvement.  Ninth, allowing Iowa companies to have the first opportunity at a Request For Proposal (RFP) issued by state government would aid our economy.  The tenth and last, but not least issue we will review the current tax structure in Iowa and look for simpler and less complex taxing formulas.

We have received the Governor’s budget, and it appears to be something that we can work with and build on.  For the fiscal year of 2003-2004 Revenues are expected to be flat, while the expenses were budgeted at a 5% increase.  This leaves some options of either cutting expenses, using one time money, or a combination of the two.  This is something that we will be working out in budget discussions. 

We are scheduled to debate and vote on HF 65, lowering the blood alcohol limit to .08 at 5:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon.  I will have more on this outcome next week.

So until then ,