Ragan Report

Education and job training can turn Iowa’s economy around
     In trying to understand why Iowa’s economy has less growth than expected this year and next, we need to look at the elements that led to slower growth in order to find solutions.
     Iowa employers have been saying for years that their biggest challenge is getting enough skilled workers to fill job openings. We can fix this, but we need to get moving because 68 percent of Iowa workers will need a college degree, certification or industry-recognized credential by 2025 to work in health care, education, finance, insurance, manufacturing, STEM and other high-skill occupations.
     Let’s make working families a priority again by:
     • Investing in K-12 schools and preventing more school closures, especially in small towns and rural areas
     • Keeping down the cost of college and job training
     • Making health care accessible to all Iowans
     • Ensuring women receive equal pay for equal work
     • Making child care more affordable
     • Ensuring small businesses, working families and homeowners can make ends meet
     • Re-examining tax breaks for big, out-of-state corporations
     Punishing stalkers can keep victims safe
     Iowa has an average of one domestic violence murder a month. The majority of victims are stalked by their murderer prior to being killed.
     That is why my colleague, Senator Kevin Kinney of Oxford, wrote legislation to put stalkers behind bars and keep victims safe.
     I voted in favor of Senate File 468, which won unanimous approval in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday. The bill expands the definition of what is considered criminal stalking and prohibits repeatedly using an electronic device to track a person’s whereabouts with no legitimate purpose.
     Being stalked radically disrupts a victim’s life. They may be afraid to leave their home. They worry about the safety of their children. They might be forced to find a new job just to evade their stalker—or even worse, they get fired because the stalker disrupts their workplace.
     Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) serves Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Senate District 27. She can be reached at (515) 281-3371 or (641) 424-0874. Email her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.