Posts Tagged ‘Kevin McCarthy’
Author: deanfiihr Published: February 2nd, 2012
House Republicans released their budget for the 2013 year and it hits the state’s job creation efforts and education especially hard. Here’s the response from House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy:
The Republican budget will pull the plug on our job creation efforts next year. House Democrats are committed to strengthening our economy and growing the middle class. We won’t turn our back on economic development efforts to help Iowa Main Street businesses grow while rewarding big Wall Street corporations with over-sized tax breaks that won’t benefit Iowans.
With the future of our economy dependent on a highly-skilled workforce, we also can’t afford to short-change opportunities for Iowans to get the skills they need to land a good-paying job. We’re going to work with the Senate and Governor Branstad to craft a responsible budget.
Tags: budget targets, Iowa Budget, Iowa House Republicans, Kevin McCarthy, Nick Wagner, Scott Raecker
Category 2012 Session Information, Budget, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 9th, 2012
The 2012 Legislative Session convened today at the State Capitol in Des Moines. House Democrats vowed to work together with Republicans to help create good-paying jobs and grow Iowa’s middle class.
Here is the opening day speech from House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy:
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, Ladies, and Gentleman of the House.
Welcome back to all the members. Mr. Speaker, over the last several years both in Iowa and nationally we have seen a deterioration in the civility of our political discourse. In our national congress, gridlock and partisanship have become the norm; because of this they seem incapable of coming together to solve our nation’s problems.
Here in Iowa last session, too often this chamber mirrored Congress. Because of the agenda that was pursued, Iowans were faced with week after week of partisan divisive debates on issues that tear at the very fabric of our society.
That’s the bad news, now for the good news. It doesn’t have to be that way here. We have shown time and time again that we can come together for the common good. We are Iowans. This year’s legislative session does not have to be a repeat of last year.
House Democrats are ready to turn the page; we are ready, willing and able to work in a bipartisan fashion to focus on the important issues before us. To the credit of the Republican leaders, the tone and rhetoric going into this session has been much more positive and House Democrats have enjoyed working with you this last interim on a series of important issues. Let’s continue that productive work as we begin this new session.
This session, House Democrats want to focus on creating jobs and working with the majority party in a bipartisan way. House Democrats are going to show up to work every day with a singular focus: standing up and fighting for those Iowans who work hard, play by the rules, and only ask to be treated fairly.
Mr. Speaker, Democrats are ready to go to work.
Thank you.
Tags: Iowa House, Iowa Legislature, Kevin McCarthy
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 5th, 2012
House and Senate leaders toured the state this week to talk about the 2012 legislative session which begins on January 9th in Des Moines.
With stops in Mason City, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal laid out the Democratic agenda for the 2012 session to include helping middle class families, cutting commercial property taxes, passing education reform, reforming Iowa’s mental health system, and establishing other budget priorities for the next year.
“Democrats will work to make more progress on good-paying jobs this year. Our job creation plan will reduce taxes for small businesses and reform our schools to ensure that Iowa students are prepared for the jobs of the future,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs. “While Iowa’s economy gains steam, we will do all we can to speed up the recovery and put Iowans back to work.”
“Iowans are tired of the partisan bickering and political games. Democrats are going to work to find common ground on the issues that affect the lives of everyday Iowans,” added House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines.
“We will listen to Iowans and act responsibly to keep the state’s fiscal house in order,” added Gronstal. “If Republicans join us in working together and bargaining in good faith, I’m confident the 2012 session will be a success.”
“Middle class families have been hit hard during the national recession and Democrats will work to make sure that Iowans who work hard and play by the rules get a boost. We will also help Iowa small businesses expand and grow while continuing to keep Iowa a world leader in renewable energy,” concluded McCarthy.
The 2012 session of the Iowa Legislature convenes on Monday, January 9th at 10 am.
Tags: Economy, Jobs, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Gronstal, Session 2012
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: June 30th, 2011
After Republicans finally agreed to compromise, the 2011 Iowa Legislature finally adjourned on the 172nd day of session. It was the third longest session in Iowa history.
Here’s the statement from House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy:
House Republicans spent too much time focusing on divisive social issues – which brought Iowa to the brink of a government shutdown — instead of working to help the middle class.
Republicans voted to end the state’s job creation efforts while Democrats fought to help small businesses and create good-paying jobs. Republicans wanted to raise property taxes on homeowners to pay for tax breaks for out of state corporations while Democrats reduced taxes for working families and supported a property tax relief plan that benefits small businesses. Republicans voted to kick 20,000 kids out of preschool and wanted to starve our schools for the next two years while Democrats worked to ensure our kids get a quality education.
Democrats focused on new jobs and opportunities for Iowa families and I’m proud of our work continuing the state’s job creation efforts, ensuring our k-12 schools weren’t starved for the next two years, and keeping kids in preschool next year.
Tags: Iowa Legislature, Kevin McCarthy
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Recent News |
