April 16, 2010
The 2010 legislative session has adjourned for the year and I'm proud of our record listening to your ideas and acting on your priorities. We helped Iowa's children receive a quality education, created good paying jobs and helped Iowa's small businesses, all while balancing the state budget without raising taxes.
You will be receiving a newsletter from me during the interim every other week. I encourage you to contact me with your ideas and suggestions. If you have any friends who are not on the list encourage them to subscribe here.
I look forward to serving you.
Calendar of Events
April - July – 2010 Census Survey may be mailed in; for questions call 866-872-6868; 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Monday – Sunday.
April 17 – Shel Silverstein Festival; Marshalltown Public Library; 1-3 p.m.; Community Meeting Room
April 17 – YMCA Healthy Kids Day; Marshalltown Community Y; 1-3 p.m.; free for everyone; jumbo inflatables, games, prizes, entertainment and food.
April 19 – Prairie Burn; Grimes Farm and Conservation Center; 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.; the exact date is dependent on weather conditions and may be determined on short notice; Call 752-5490 to be notified or listen to KDAO & KFJB radio stations.
April 20 – Wildlife Presentation; Albion Public Library; for more information call 641-488-2226.
April 24 – Pour Out Support; The Harvester, Hwy 330 near Rhodes; wine & beer tasting with silent auction; proceeds to support Iowa Rivers Red Cross programs and services; Tickets are $25, available at the Red Cross office, 709 S. Center St. or at the door.
April – Spring Storytime; Marshalltown Public Library; 10:15 a.m.; Children with family caregivers require no pre-registration. Daycare or program groups with 8 or more children are asked to please pre-register by calling the youth dept. at 754-5738. April 20 & 23 - Catapillars & butterflies; April 27 & 30 – Bark for Books; April 30 – Dia de los Ninos/Dia de los Libros Fiesta; Marshalltown Public Library; 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
April 30, May 1, 7 & 8 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m.; MCT presents CASH ON DELIVERY; Tickets are $10 adults; $5 students; For reservations or more information call Marshalltown Community Theater at 641-752-4164; visit online at .www.mctonline.org.
June 2-4 – Scripps National Spelling Bee, Washington, D.C.; Stefan Peng, Miller Middle School 7th grade student to participate.
Helpful Information
The Central Iowa Art Association offers classes, volunteer opportunities, and art shows every month. Please check their website for a detailed calendar: www.centraliowaartassociation.com .
A new local information hotline regarding H1N1 vaccinations has been established at 641-754-5005. Information is available in English and Spanish.
The 2010 Census will create hundreds of jobs across the State of Iowa. If you are interested or know someone who is, you may call the Census at 866-861-2010. Please mention this opportunity to anyone you know who is looking for a great employment opportunity.
Marshalltown Community Theater offers a wonderful opportunity to see local talent perform in productions throughout the year. To see a complete schedule of coming shows check out their website at: www.mctonline.org .
The Marshall County Conservation Board invites preschoolers who are - accompanied by an adult- to Nature’s Story Hour the first and third Wednesday of each month. Location is the Grimes Farm & Conservation Center, 2359 233rd Street at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Diane Pixler at 641-752-5490.
Iowa River Hospice hosts a Grief Healers Support Group at our new location - 502 Plaza Heights Rd on Feb. 4th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. This group meets at the same time and place the first Thursday of each month. We are open to all individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one. Grief is a healthy and natural response to death. It is difficult to process. Come join us in our journey of healing. If questions, call 753-7704.
Iowa River Hospice hosts a Spousal Support Group at Hy-Vee in Marshalltown on Feb. 14th at 5 p.m. This group meets at the same time and place the second Sunday of each month for a meal, support and socialization (Usually not intended for newly bereaved persons). If questions, call 753-7704.
Iowa River Hospice hosts a caregivers group Common Bonds developed to nurture caregivers on Feb. 15th at 2 p.m. Each day can be a challenge for the caregiver but you are not alone. All are welcome; meets every 3rd Monday at Villa Del Sol in Marshalltown in the 200 Hall Lounge.
NEW Group- Grief Share an informal meet & eat group. Meets the last Monday of each month. Feb. 22nd 5:30 – 6:30pm @ Iowa River Hospice Home-502 Plaza Heights Rd; Marshalltown Enter through the bottom entrance (staff entrance). *Dinner to be provided.
**This group is intended for those dealing with the recent loss of a loved one. There are hosts of agencies to assist with a number of issues that you and your family may be facing. These agencies are often a member of the Marshalltown Area United Way. For a list of agencies, go to www.marshalltownunitedway.org.
Compassionate Friends a support group created to help people following the death of a child meets the first Tuesday of every month. The Marshalltown Group meets at the First Friends Church, at 2409 South 6 Street, Marshalltown, Iowa at 7:30 p.m.
The first Tuesday night of every month, the Marshalltown Cancer Support Group meets at the Congregational Church, 312 West Main. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. Enter through the West door.
Highlights of the 2010 Session; Balanced Budget & Jobs
When the 2010 session began, legislators promised to keep the focus on the priorities of Iowans -- balancing the budget, strengthening Iowa’s economy, and creating jobs. The following is a brief example of the accomplishments that we focused on this year. Links for each committee are listed to the left for a more in-depth look into each specific committee action.
Jobs & Economy
To help Iowans through the national recession, the Legislature worked to create good paying jobs and to help Iowans find work. First, a new $5.2 million small business loan fund is created to help small businesses and entrepreneurs expand and create jobs. Another measure will allow more small businesses to qualify for low-interest loans through their bank and create a website clearinghouse for all technical and financial assistance available for businesses in Iowa.
In addition to reviewing state tax credits to ensure they are creating the jobs promised, the Legislature shifted dollars away from large Wall Street companies and moved some of those dollars to support struggling Main Street businesses whose success will benefit more Iowans.
House File 2522 provides an additional $100,000 for Small Business Development Centers that provide one on one counseling and support to small businesses at 15 locations across Iowa.
The bill also expands the statewide MyEntre.Net program to help accelerate the growth of firms most likely to create jobs in Iowa while improving access to services and capital for hundreds of other Iowa companies.
Another measure approved continues support for over 55 Workforce Development Centers across Iowa that help the unemployed find work and provide job training assistance. The centers also provide services to employers looking to hire employees.
Building on the I-Jobs initiative last year, the Legislature used gaming revenues to provide $14 million for revitalization efforts of Main Street communities and $45 million for flood recovery, prevention, and infrastructure improvements.
Balanced Budget
As Iowa begins to emerge from the national recession, legislators approved a balanced state budget without raising taxes. The fiscal year 2011 budget, which begins on July 1, spends less than the budget last year and even less than the budget approved four years ago.
As required by state law, the blueprint next year spends only 99% of state revenues and puts over $200 million in the state’s savings account.
A Skilled Workforce
As Iowa’s economy begins to recover, the Legislature wanted to make sure our state has a highly skilled workforce that will attract more businesses.
Despite the tight budget, legislators ensured four year olds have access to preschool, good teachers stay in the classroom, and every student graduates with the skills necessary to land a good-paying job in today’s global economy.
School districts will also benefit from an additional $147 million in state aid next year compared to what they received this year.
Contact Mark: mark.smith@legis.state.ia.us
www.marksmithiahouse.com
816 Roberts Terrace
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-750-9278 (Home) 515-281-3221 (Capitol)
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