Greetings from Des Moines, another week has come and gone.  The floor action continues to increase as well as the number of bills being discussed on the floor. 

I have had several visitors this week and the individuals are too numerous to name individually.  It is always good to see and visit with friend from back home. 

The only committee meeting I had this week was in Ways and Means.  The work in that committee will continue to increase, also.  This committee deals with tax issues and can be quite divisive at times.  I think we can all agree that our present tax structure is not working and needs to be changed.  However, how we change the structure is where people start having major differences of opinions. 

I believe that when we look at changing our tax laws we need to answer two different questions.  First, is the present law working or not?  That can be answered fairly easily and that is no.  We are driving business, jobs and people from the state of Iowa. 

Secondly, how will the proposed change affect future actions and generations?  If you follow the previous statement that we are driving business, jobs and people from the state, then we need to make the necessary changes that will not only keep people here, but also bring more people here.  The people won’t stay or come back if there isn’t a good paying job here for them to come to.  Therefore, it is imperative that we change our tax, regulatory, and business climate here in Iowa.  There is no better way to spark our economy, create economic growth and improve our business climate.  The time is right and if we can’t accomplish this reform we will see a greater exodus from this state.  

On Monday, March 17, 2003, the United State Department of Homeland Security upgraded the threat level from yellow or “elevated" to orange or “high”.  This is just one step below the most serious of threat level alerts – red or “severe”.  This action was taken in anticipation of pending conflict with Iraq.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has asked the states for assistance in securing approximately 250 critical assets across the country, including two locations in Iowa; the Union Pacific rail bridge in Clinton and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail bridge in Ft. Madison.  The federal government has asked states to coordinate security activities at these sites and work closely with local law enforcement and the owners of these assets to accomplish this.

According to Iowa Homeland Security Advisor Ellen Gordon, Iowa has not received any specific threat information. However, these are the only two sites in Iowa that have been identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as assets needing additional security.  In addition, she urged that these are precautionary measures only.  As always, citizens must be alert and cautious, but there is no need for alarm.

As a result of the increased threat level, Iowans may see an increased level of security at locations such as public buildings and airports, including the State Capitol. The department has notified local authorities statewide of the elevated risk and will communicate additional information as made available.

Our Country is now at war.  We need to continue to keep our President and our troops, which are busy keeping us safe, in our hearts and prayers.  This is affecting us at the Capitol and throughout the State.  It is unknown on how many different levels that this war will impact us on a state, county and local level.  But our President and the armed forces need our full support and anything less than that is most unacceptable.

We need to be thankful for the country that we live in and the republic form of government that governs us.  We should also lift up the people of Iraq that are not under our form of government and have no control or say in its direction.  Their country is getting bombed and many are surrendering.  Let us pray for their safety, too.

Thank you for your support and prayers,

Tom Sands