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I spent the day at Carter Lake Elementary School on
October 7, where I received a warm welcome from Dr. Martha Bruckner,
superintendent of Council Bluffs Community School District. |
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I got to visit several classrooms, where I talked
with students about my job as a state legislator. I'm pictured here
with 4th grade teacher Miss Amy Hector. |
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The students told me about some of their interests,
and we took turns answering each other's questions. I even read a
book with Miss Rachel Meade's 2nd graders. |
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I was honored to be recognized by the Iowa Health
Care Association and Iowa Center for Assisted Living during their
annual statewide convention on September 29.
IHCA and ICAL represent 559 nursing facilities and assisted living
programs across the state, and I'm committed to helping them
continue to provide top-notch long-term care to Iowa's frail and
elderly.
Pictured with me are ICAL Government Relations representative Jen
Kingland, ICAL Director Cindy Baddeloo and ICAL Past President Jean
Palmer. |
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Iowa’s nurses are an essential part of our health
care system. Experts say there are good reasons to be concerned
about a shortage of nurses in our rural communities.
On September 1, I visited the outstanding nursing program at Iowa
Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg to learn more about what Iowa
is doing to increase the number of nurses while providing Iowans
with good job opportunities. I talked with nursing students and
faculty about their desire to work in a field where they really make
a difference in the health of Iowans.
At the state level, we are encouraging more Iowans to go into
nursing by improving and expanding student loan forgiveness
programs. You can learn more about state, federal and private loan
forgiveness programs for nurses at
www.iowacollegeaid.gov/commissioncentral/
loanforgiveness/nursing.html.
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State partners with Microsoft for job training
On July 15, I joined Governor Chet Culver and other state officials
for the announcement of a new partnership between Microsoft and Iowa
Workforce Development (top). Microsoft is providing 5,700 vouchers
to Iowans for free technology training and Microsoft certification .
Microsoft Director of Government Affairs Tony Wilson was at the Iowa
Statehouse for this special announcement (bottom).
Even after all the vouchers are issued, the Microsoft
digital literacy program will be available through IWD’s web site.
Those who don’t have access to a computer should visit their local
Workforce Development Center for assistance.
Learn more about “Microsoft Elevate America” at
www.iowaworkforce.org/elevateamerica or call IWD at
1-800-562-4692. |
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I spoke May 16 at Iowa Western Community College's
graduation. It was an honor. My work in the Iowa Legislature has
shown me that community colleges are a great investment because
community college graduates tend to use their education and training
right here at home. They tend to stay here in Iowa to live, work and
raise a family. |
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On March 24, Timothy Orr was unanimously confirmed by the
Iowa Senate as the new Adjutant General of the State of Iowa. |
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I met with a group from the Iowa Western Community College
Foundation in my Senate office on February 17. We discussed
the steps we've already taken to improve community colleges in the
last two years and what we can do to continue to advance Iowa's role
as a leader in education. |
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Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal spoke today at a
statehouse news conference which unveiled a package of initiatives
to provide more support for veterans and their families. (2/12/09) |
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Three community college students visited the State
Capitol on February 4 to thank lawmakers who supported Iowa’s wind
energy expansion efforts. Student Grant Erickson talked with me
about continuing support for Iowa’s community colleges and the Iowa
Power Fund. A two-year program at Iowa Lakes Community College in
Estherville to train students to learning to build and maintain wind
turbines will grow from 71 students this year to 102 students next
year. Graduates typically receive 10 to 20 job offers when they
complete their courses. |
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I took the oath of
office on January 12, the first day of the 2009 session of the Iowa
Legislature. I expect this year we'll stay focused on managing our
tight state budget, expanding Iowa’s energy economy and rebuilding
flood damaged communities. |
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Senator Mike Gronstal was recognized by the Iowa Health Care
Association and Iowa Center for Assisted Living for his commitment
to supporting long term care for Iowa’s seniors. The award was
presented by ICAL President Jean Palmer, IHCA ICAL Deputy Director
Cindy Baddeloo and ICAL Lobbyist Jen Kingland. |
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Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (Council Bluffs) welcomes
Microsoft to Iowa. The software giant today announced it will create
a $550 million data center in West Des Moines that will employ
approximately 75 workers at an average salary of $75,000 a year.
"Recent decisions by Google and Microsoft to create high wage, high
skill jobs in Iowa are a sign our efforts to strengthen Iowa's
economy are paying off," said Gronstal. From left to right: U.S.
Senator Chuck Grassley, Gronstal, Microsoft General Manager Michael
Manos, and Iowa Governor Chet Culver. |
