Iowa needs a bigger, stronger middle class

Iowa needs a bigger, stronger middle class

Last week, we gaveled in at the Statehouse to begin the 2016 legislative session. Over the next few months, we’ll be working to improve Iowa’s economic growth, education, health care and public safety.

Our top priority is expanding Iowa’s middle class through investments in education and job training that can boost the economy. It’s a commitment we’ve made to Iowa families.

If we want more high-wage, high-skill jobs in Iowa, we must prepare Iowans to fill those jobs. This includes increased state aid that will allow our local K-12 schools to provide more educational opportunities, as well as strong investments in our universities and community colleges.

I’m disappointed by the inadequate funding for our local schools in recent years. It’s resulted in more crowded classrooms, fewer advanced courses and higher property taxes. Keeping our community colleges and state universities affordable is a must if we want to attract and expand businesses that create the kinds of high-wage jobs that help Iowans get ahead.

We must ensure that all Iowans have access to high-quality, affordable health care.

We’ve all come to see Medicaid as the safety net that will ensure we get the health care we need if we fall on hard times. Without the Medicaid program as we know it, a medical emergency or a chronic illness could easily bankrupt Iowa families. I encourage the House to join the Senate in taking up Medicaid oversight legislation this year.

I also hope we’ll agree on legislation to stop the closing Iowa’s remaining Mental Health Institutes. Voting for quality, effective mental health care for Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens is a matter of human decency and public safety. If we don’t invest in a strong mental health system, we’ll end up paying even more for law enforcement, jails and prisons.

These are the issues Iowans are talking about. If we listen to them, we should be able to find bipartisan agreement on what they care about most.

To contact Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm during the week, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-2813371. Otherwise she can be reached at home at 563-547-4156. E-mail her at mary.jo.wilhelm@ legis.iowa.gov.

Sen. Mary Jo Wilhelm

Capitol Update