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Fiscally Disciplined Government As an owner of a
small business and a board member of several community organizations, I understand the benefits of a budget. Budgets impose
restraint and require prioritization. This ought to be true of our state government as well. I support the Iowa Treasurer’s
recommendations for fiscally sound, long term solutions, not short-sighted spending. I believe Iowa has three world class
assets which must be its priorities: education, agriculture and families.
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Education Education remains the single best tool
for personal growth, development, and income production. Iowa’s rural educational system is suffering from declining population,
inconsistent funding and the breakdown of the family. I support strengthening Iowa’s rural educational system through
adequate and predictable funding, voluntary sharing of services, supporting our Area Education Associations and maintaining
local control.
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Agriculture The land is the physical source of all
we eat and have. We must be good stewards of that land. Agriculture is the engine of Iowa’s economy. Studies show that strengthening
Iowa’s livestock industry improves our rural economy. I support land stewardship and livestock management in the context
of reasonable and scientifically sound regulation. I also support Department of Agriculture oversight and approval of the
regulations impacting farmers.
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Families I have represented many children in need
of assistance in juvenile court. Many of our rural families have eroded through the heartache of dissolved marriages, poor
parenting, low family incomes, loss of community support, increasing tax burdens, and declining personal character. I
support programs and policies that strengthen families, improve parenting, instill character, make our communities safe and
secure, increase personal income and reduce the overall tax burdens on families.
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Support Our Seniors As a state, we must restore the
Senior Living Trust Fund and strengthen community based services so our seniors can have the best opportunity to live independently
at home.
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Rural Economic Development I have been involved in
rural economic development for many years. I want to grow our economy, not our tax bill, through the fiscally sound and long
term funding of the Iowa Values Fund.
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