Wilhelm pleased with work of Iowa Legislature

State Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm of Cresco is praising the work of the Iowa Legislature during the just-completed 2013 session.
 
"Iowa is taking significant steps forward in jobs, education, health care, and lower taxes," said Wilhelm.  "We've approved a record investment in helping Iowa workers upgrade their skills; the biggest property tax cut in state history; action to improve K12 student achievement; and affordable health insurance for 150,000 working Iowans."
 
Wilhelm praised the legislature's work on state funding for higher education, noting tuition will not increase at Iowa's state universities for the first time in 30 years.  She also praised the business property tax credit, which she said reduces commercial property taxes-while helping small businesses the most—without shifting the burden to residential property owners or sacrificing local schools and services.

Those local schools will benefit from a 4 percent increase in basic state support beginning this July 1st, and another 4 percent increase beginning in July of 2014, said Wilhelm.  New education reforms will increase standards, improve teaching, and encourage innovation.   And a health care compromise that created the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan means 150,000 working Iowans will finally be able to go to a doctor in their community when needed, she said.

 Most of all, said Wilhelm, the state budget was balanced without raising taxes. Iowa is expected to have a budget surplus of about $647 million when this fiscal year ends on June 30th, as well as $622 million in our reserve funds, the largest amount in state history.