Unemployment rates have gone up under current leadership.
Consumer Confidence is key
As the financial crisis gained full steam in the Fall of 2008, Iowa's legislators in the 2009 session had a chance to tighten their belt and lead the way for Iowans to have confidence in the future. But instead, Iowa legislators continued to spend more and more taxpayer dollars on programs we cannot sustain in this economy. Failure to address out-of-control spending, while borrowing from our future and relying on one-time federal dollars to balance the budget have set Iowa up for financial calamity. When the one-time funds dry up - the expenses will remain. Consumers and employers see this financial "house of cards" and they're uneasy about the future. The resulting lack of consumer and business confidence is that unemployment is up more than a full percentage point in the last year - just in Polk County alone! (see map above - 2009 unemployment figures are on the bottom, 2010 figures are on top). [source; Iowa Workforce Development web site 9/02/10].
Consumers who still have jobs, are holding on tight to their earnings because no one knows what's around the next corner. And Iowa business leaders are not willing to expand during this kind of economic uncertainty. It's time our Iowa legislators begin to lead the way back to recovery. Higher taxes, more bloated spending, higher fees and more borrowing are not the answer.
Iowa needs to be more "business friendly"
Experts agree that there are billions of dollars in "pent up" desire for expansion in the business community. But unfriendly taxation, regulation and uncertainty about the future, are keeping those dollars from flowing - and especially keeping them from flowing into Iowa. Banks are also hesitant to lend in this type of economic climate, which again hinders business stability and expansion. Add to that Iowa's prohibitive property and income tax structures and you can see why neighboring states can look more attractive to businesses looking to expand or re-locate. Jobs will return when employers want to locate here, stay here, and expand here.
Just as a business or the average home must live under a budget - our State must get spending back in line with current revenues. When "wants" list are long, but the revenue isn't there to sustain it - choices have to be made. Iowa needs to elect leaders who can responsibly prioritize and make the difficult decisions to get Iowa back on a road of prosperity.
If Iowa can add positive business changes, better financial stewardship and longer forecasting to the plan, there is hope to return to financial solvency. And when Iowans recognize the positive things happening - consumers will spend, which in turn will give employers a reason to hire and invest again.
It's time to retire current legislators who think Iowa can "tax and spend" our way back to prosperity -- when history demonstrates time and again that it cannot happen that way. Give Vicki Stogdill a chance to put some fresh ideas to work -- and get more Iowans back to work!
Consumer Confidence is key
As the financial crisis gained full steam in the Fall of 2008, Iowa's legislators in the 2009 session had a chance to tighten their belt and lead the way for Iowans to have confidence in the future. But instead, Iowa legislators continued to spend more and more taxpayer dollars on programs we cannot sustain in this economy. Failure to address out-of-control spending, while borrowing from our future and relying on one-time federal dollars to balance the budget have set Iowa up for financial calamity. When the one-time funds dry up - the expenses will remain. Consumers and employers see this financial "house of cards" and they're uneasy about the future. The resulting lack of consumer and business confidence is that unemployment is up more than a full percentage point in the last year - just in Polk County alone! (see map above - 2009 unemployment figures are on the bottom, 2010 figures are on top). [source; Iowa Workforce Development web site 9/02/10].
Consumers who still have jobs, are holding on tight to their earnings because no one knows what's around the next corner. And Iowa business leaders are not willing to expand during this kind of economic uncertainty. It's time our Iowa legislators begin to lead the way back to recovery. Higher taxes, more bloated spending, higher fees and more borrowing are not the answer.
Iowa needs to be more "business friendly"
Experts agree that there are billions of dollars in "pent up" desire for expansion in the business community. But unfriendly taxation, regulation and uncertainty about the future, are keeping those dollars from flowing - and especially keeping them from flowing into Iowa. Banks are also hesitant to lend in this type of economic climate, which again hinders business stability and expansion. Add to that Iowa's prohibitive property and income tax structures and you can see why neighboring states can look more attractive to businesses looking to expand or re-locate. Jobs will return when employers want to locate here, stay here, and expand here.
Just as a business or the average home must live under a budget - our State must get spending back in line with current revenues. When "wants" list are long, but the revenue isn't there to sustain it - choices have to be made. Iowa needs to elect leaders who can responsibly prioritize and make the difficult decisions to get Iowa back on a road of prosperity.
If Iowa can add positive business changes, better financial stewardship and longer forecasting to the plan, there is hope to return to financial solvency. And when Iowans recognize the positive things happening - consumers will spend, which in turn will give employers a reason to hire and invest again.
It's time to retire current legislators who think Iowa can "tax and spend" our way back to prosperity -- when history demonstrates time and again that it cannot happen that way. Give Vicki Stogdill a chance to put some fresh ideas to work -- and get more Iowans back to work!
