Condition of the State 1990; 1990.0; Gov. Terry Branstad

Oh. Major funding for this program is made possible by friends of Iowa Public Television. The state faces many challenges as Iowans work their way for the new millennium Environmental for. The plight of Iowa's home. Over half of them children and the escalating war on drugs these and other issues are going to demand some tough decisions from Iowa's legislative and executive branch. Just today the governor Terry Branstad sets the course for the coming decade. Patient of his edition of the state address. From Vermont Governor Brown says the condition of the state address. Presented earlier today before a joint session of the Iowa General Assembly. Here is the board. Believe me in a few moments we'll bring you Governor Branstad seventh condition of the State Address delivered to a joint session of the Iowa General Assembly earlier today. This year's address beginning the

final decade of the century contains a retrospective look at Iowa's recent past as well as the governor's usual assessment of the state of the current time. In addition the governor combined his budget proposals with the condition of the State Address this year in the past you recall Governor Branstad to set the state budget to the legislature. About a week following this condition of the state address of the changes in response to Iowa lawmakers desires for a shortened legislative session for 1990. And now Governor Terry Branstad 990 condition of the state address. Madam President. Mr. Speaker Mr. Chief Justice justices and judges state officials senators and representatives distinguished guests and friends. Before I begin this morning I'd like to take a moment to welcome a very special family to these chambers TBN Mary Elena crates and their children. Dan and Ana Maria. The creatures were

born married and had their children in Romania. They were both engineers in Romania. They were more fortunate than many of their countrymen yet TV told me last week they didn't have freedom. A few years ago they fled their homeland as political refugees. And today TV in Mary Lana crates are realizing their dream of freedom here in Iowa. Iowa is now their home. It was thus with horror. That a month ago the creatures watched as thousands of their compatriots were gunned down while marching for freedom. Back in Romania. We can only imagine the joy in their hearts as they witnessed Romania throw off a 40 year yoke of brutal oppression. Finally all Romanians are now realizing their dream of freedom. Just this morning on the radio I heard it said that for the first time in over 40 years Romanians are now

being permitted to travel outside of their country. 1989 was the year that the Cold War melted the Iron Curtain parted the Berlin wall came tumbling down. First it was hungry then Poland East Germany Czechoslovakia Bogue area and finally Romania one by one the brave people of Eastern Europe threw off the mantle of oppression and demanded freedom and democracy. Today we salute all the brave Romanians and other Eastern Europeans that risked their lives to bring freedom to their lands. And please join me in welcoming the creatures to this special place they now call home to Iowa. I mean. You

all. As we enter the 1990s the prospects for peace in the world are greater than any other time during the 20th century and we are one should at least take some pride in knowing that we helped out. We helped make that happen. Our state has always been a force for peace in the world even though it was more than 30 years ago. We can vividly remember when Nikita Khrushchev visited the Roswell gars farm. Near Coon Rapids Iowa and in the 70s. Iowans pushed for expanded trade with the Soviets in the 80s. I was was the first state to establish a sister state in the Soviet Union for Iowa peace means prosperity for the next 10 years offers an extraordinary opportunity to our state. Yes the 90s could well be Iowa's best decade.

Lest we forget the 80s taught us some important lessons. Ten years ago today we just come off a decade of great prosperity. Farm land values had yet to hit their peak manufacturing jobs were at an all time high and inflation induced group growth seemed never ending. Yet there were dark clouds on the horizon. Interest rates were beginning to soar. A grain embargo had just been imposed against the Soviets and the worse wheels of commerce were slowing down. We were not prepared to deal with that result. Those dark clouds rain distress and I was like no time since the 30s. We watched in dismay as the floor fell out of our economy. Land values plummeted. Bankruptcies mounted on employment near double digits and many Iowans moved to other parts of the country in search of jobs. Never again never again will we enter a decade so vulnerable to the shifts in economic trends.

Never again will we become complacent and uncompetitive. Never again will we let our economy rest on a one legged stool. Never. Never again. Thank you. It will. We were yes in the 80s times were tough but Iowans were tough or we weren't. We learned the lessons of the farm crisis and we used them to set a new direction. We set out on a plan and we stuck to it. To strengthen and diversify Iowa's economy to build on our strengths in agriculture and education to improve our business climate and to market and promote Iowa. Now the sun is shining on the horizon. Our strategy is paying dividends. Over the past three years we've seen a dramatic comeback in Iowa in 1909. We saw record numbers of Iowans working and our unemployment remains among the lowest. Of American States. Land values are now up 45 percent

since 1986 and now 40 percent of our firms intend to expand for the first 10 months of 1989. Exports were up 20 percent. In 1989 millions of people learned about Iowa. They saw the care and compassion of Sioux City after the disastrous crash. Of Flight 232 and they marvel that the community of Sioux City could respond so quickly and so well the rest of the nation saw the beauty of Iowa and Iowa people through the movie Field of Dreams. 1989 was a year when Fortune magazine dubbed the Hawkeye state number one in education. Newsweek touted prairie cuisine and Midwest living reported that people were returning from the south northeast in the West to a region that for them was gone but not forgotten.

America is rediscovering Meat Loaf and Midwest values. 1989 proved that Iowa was back on track. But are we ready to take advantage of the opportunities that await us in the 90s. Have we decided the kind of future that we want for Iowa. Let's imagine for a moment what we want I want to be like 10 years from today in the year 2000. We want a growing economy in tune with the global marketplace with quality jobs in the year 2000. We want an education system that is nothing less than world class in the year 2000. We want to state renowned for its rolling hills trees wildlife and healthy human environment. In the year 2000. We want our families to be whole and secure caring and compassionate. To fulfill this vision of our future state

government must lead and facilitate encourage and sustain. But the people who are going to make it possible for us to reach this Field of Dreams for Iowa's future are the people living in every community from river to river and from border to border. Every Iowan must be motivated to get involved in building their communities thus building their state. We can do it. We can be architects of our future. We've already seen islands roll up their sleeves and help their communities become part of our economic comeback. We've seen communities like Bonaparte population 490 raise $100000 to restore their historic Main Street. We've seen communities like Lisbon attract a division of Illinois tool to a new industrial park. Communities like Sac City where one hundred and one volunteers spent hundreds of hours to get a large industrial building ready for

sale. Our program for the 90s begins now. We must keep economic development a top priority. We need a dynamic economy competitive in a global marketplace. It's clear that in the 90s the economy will only be more global than ever before. Iowa is well positioned to forge relationships with people and develop markets for our products throughout the world. We already have three foreign offices and we export over three billion dollars worth of goods annually. As the doors of Eastern Europe swing open we must develop a plan for the trade opportunities in that part of the world. Our European offer should be expanded to accommodate our trade plans both in Eastern Europe and in the eastern and in the European community which is slated to become a United market in 1902. We must also continue to enhance our trade and cultural relationships in Japan.

Iowa sells one billion dollars worth of agricultural goods and three hundred million dollars worth of products other products in Japan each year and with fewer trade restrictions. The Japanese people have already been introduced to Iowa quality beef and pork and we must sell them even more. In the 90s. As we pursue our opportunities in other parts of the world. We must also focus on our largest trading partner our neighbor to the north Canada the United States already has a free trade agreement with Canada and to achieve the full benefits of this relationship. Iowa should join with other Midwestern states and open a trade office in Canada. We can be a model for the states in developing strong vibrant rural communities agriculture small business and healthcare are key components of a strong rural development strategy. And we are addressing each adding value

to our commodities brings higher prices more jobs and a diversified economic base. We are in the midst of an unprecedented three year commitment to strengthen agricultural research and I will state our goal is to develop new products and processes to help our farm. And thanks to the help of our farm and commodity organizations we will keep that commitment. This year we should establish a special fund to provide financing for innovative ways to add value to commodities. Small businesses are the backbone of the Iowa economy and they are especially important in rural communities. The entrepreneurial spirit is part of the fabric of Iowa yet we trail many states in new business formation and growth. To be competitive in the 90s. Our state needs an economy that is conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation. The Iowa futures report. Identified this as a key to our future. And that

report is on target. I'm recommending several initiatives to foster entrepreneurship in Iowa a capital access program to make it easier for small business to get bank loans. A 10 percent tax credit for qualified investments in Iowa startup companies and removal of remaining barriers for small companies to raise capital. Access to affordable health care is also critical is also critical to sustain viable rural communities. Recent adjustments in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements will reduce some of the inequities between rural and urban hospitals. We need to do our part of the state level with financial incentives to encourage doctors nurses and other health care professionals to locate in rural Iowa. We must also provide rural health care planners. We must. Provide rural health care planning grants to help rural communities attract professionals and develop effective ways

to deliver services. The tools of the next decade and the next century will be technology based and we must begin to set the framework for them now. Supercomputers provide state of the art solutions to. For technology development and transfer to keep bio competitive we should allocate funds to develop a plan that will make a supercomputer part of Iowa's infrastructure part of Iowa's science infrastructure in the next decade. In the 90s we will complete the fiber optics network. Which will link Iowa people at home and abroad. Our plan also includes building new livestock research facilities at Iowa State and medical research facilities at the University of Iowa and we. As we invest in the tools of technology of tomorrow. We must also invest in the people who keep the machines of our economy humming. In the 90s

we have a decade of promise for people who want jobs but preparation is key. Ninety percent of the technology in use today was invented in the last 30 years and half of what we will use in the year 2000 hasn't been invented yet. By the end of the decade we'll see a dramatically different workforce. Seventy five percent of all employees will need retraining just to keep up with their jobs. We must focus on helping Iowans to become part of that workforce. A new workforce 90s program will help older Iowans displaced homemakers at risk youth and immigrants for jobs. Businesses will need skilled employees. So our commitment to job training programs must remain firm. Iowa's record in education is outstanding. We can be proud of our leadership in

education through our revised kool aid formula. This year we will commit almost 88 percent of our new resources to Iowa's schools and over one hundred and ninety three million in scholarships loans and grants will be available to Iowa's students attending our colleges and universities in education. Iowa indeed is a model for the nation as chair of the National Governors Association. I've had the honor of working with President Bush and the other governors at the education summit. In our record in education especially our three faith educational excellence program generated a lot of interest among the governors here at home in Iowa. We're not resting on our laurels. A month ago Iowans began the process of developing our own goals for education. Iowans support education goals that call for all I would children to be prepared to succeed when they start school. For all

Iowans to be able to read well for all Iowans to have the necessary skills to get good jobs. And looking to the future of education in Iowa we must continue to support innovation among our teachers. We must also invest in staff development and improve faculty salaries at our community colleges. We must address the needs of the 21st century with instruction in math and science and foreign languages and international education. This budget does that our students must have access to quality and timely undergraduate education at our state universities. We must provide financial aid to students. And I'm proposing increases in the Iowa tuition grant and Vo-Tech programs to help those who attend our independent and community colleges. Iowa has long been a

leader in environmental issues and with your help. The 80s produced landmark legislation to protect our groundwater and on precedented resource enhanced and protection program. Refunds are already at work to purchase more land in the less hills to expand the Yellow River State Forest to develop the Green Island wildlife area and for the renovation of state and local parks across Iowa. In the 90s we have an opportunity to assume leadership in the reuse of resources to make environmental and renewable energy technology a growth industry in our state and of boost our economy through energy conservation. Last summer I asked a group of Iowans with broad experience on environmental issues to help develop an environmental agenda for the 90s. In our state in addition to fully funding the reprogram I'm asking you to join me in making an

additional 4 million dollar commitment to launch this innovative environmental agenda to establish markets for recycled products to establish permanent collection centers for toxic household waste to increase the funding for the Center for the health effects of environmental contamination and I will state and the waste reduction Center at the University of Northern Iowa and to expand environmental education programs throughout Iowa. I want to A. Thank you. Global climate change is an issue of much discussion and complexity. Yet we all know that trees play an important role. In nature's delicate balancing act to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Earth

Day on April 22nd. I'm asking Iowans to help enhance our state's environment by planting a tree this year. Our goal is to plant a tree for every aisle on a tree that will help their quality and improve the beauty of Iowa. Iowa has long been known for our commitment to solid family values. Our goal in the 90s must be to pervert to preserve and strengthen that family structure to ensure that all our citizens have the opportunity to realize their full potential. Drug and Alcohol Abuse devastate family life and the drug problem has not skipped over Iowa. One cocaine baby is born each week here in Iowa and our State Department of Education reports that 10 percent of our youth in grades 7 through 12 are in need of substance abuse treatment. Communities are key to the strategy to combat

drugs but we must give them the tools to do that job. That means stepped up education programs for school children. Increased funds for treatment more narcotics agents tougher penalties for drug offenses more prosecutors and additional resources for the courts. And yes we must have more prison bread's more prison beds to rid our streets of hardened criminals. Thank you Will. Will. We must also provide for Iowans who cannot provide for themselves. Last year we pledged eleven point two million dollars to address at no at risk children. We need to encourage and assist with more adoptions and provide for more foster care homes. This budget includes

inflation adjustments for human service providers and for needy Iowans. The budget supporting this program carefully allocates our resources it takes into account the moderate yet steady growth that we expect in coming years. The budget reflects our commitment to be prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars. We cannot borrow our way to prosperity and we should be wary of spending schemes that would lead us into a deficit. My commitment is to an even handed and balance program. We need to continue to move ahead to achieve the generally accepted accounting principles on schedule and to fulfill our commitment to property tax payers. And we can do this will allow. Will allow OK we can do this

without raising taxes. It will cost quality jobs. A world class education system a healthy environment. Safe Communities strong families all part of our agenda for the 90s. We need action in each area. If we are to realize our full potential we can be proud of the economic comeback that together we helped start in the 80s. But the job is not completed. We must not rest until all Iowans share in our recovery. We can make the 90s the best decade of the 20th century. Will. Thank. Like our ancestors the creatures have decided to call Iowa

home. They like the quiet and comfortable life of our state and the freedom and security that it provides. They understand that this is a special place to live work and raise a family. Former Iowans are coming back realizing that only Iowa can be home. This is a special place where friendliness honesty and kindness are a way of life. New Iowans marvel at our attention to the environment our quality of life and our on parallel commitment to education. All of this we must develop. All of this we must nurture all of this. We must preserve will allow. Will let's not let partisan or personal differences divert us

from this task to make the 1990s. I was decade by decade to come home to Iowa come home to a state that is strong and safe clean and compassion come home to a state with open arms for families like the creatures in search of freedom hope and opportunity. Come home to a state where our children and our children's children can find jobs and family and community come home to a special place. Iowa. A beacon of hope. In the heartland of the world. Thank you very much Will. And with that Governor Terry Branstad completes his seventh condition of the state address in it he called for an emphasis on rural development on health care services and rural areas for

technology enhancement in Iowa an emphasis on education the environment and in strengthening Iowa's families. It was a very upbeat speech. He called for Iowa to really shine in the 1990s. Now if Governor Branstad hopes to fulfill his agenda he must first convince a legislature controlled by Democrats with very likely and of course their own agenda. Here now is Senate Majority Leader Bill HUTCHENS of ought of and. Senator HUTCHENS What did you like least about the governor's speech. Well I guess what if if you might put at least germs disturbs me is that there was much other than lip service in the area of education and environment. Seems to me that he took three lines out of the Democratic majority agenda and put very little money behind those programs. Some of the initiatives that he talks about we done last year and he has vetoed some of those funding programs for their rural house rural economic development.

And now he's coming back again and suggesting that. And so we're not really that thrilled about what he's had to say this time. But what you're saying. You say we thought of the many of these ideas first. He has presented them to us now. That must thrill you that you have bipartisan support then. Well we're glad to see him following our lead in these areas. As you recall it was the Democrats in the legislature that started the clean water effort in 1987. It was Democrats in the legislature that began the re program last year. Democrats have proposed reducing the cost of higher education to medium and low income families. This year it's the Democrats that have proposed an expansion of environmental spending for energy conservation. Back in October of this year. So

we are pleased that he's coming along and I think the shortcoming is that he's not really putting enough emphasis on the funding of those programs. And of course that's going to remain to be seen what happens in this legislative session what do you as the Democrats do with these proposals and thank you very much Senator Hutchinson for joining us. And with that we conclude this rebroadcast of the governor's condition of the state message to see how the governor's proposals fared during the coming months we invite you to join us for I will press each Sunday evening at 7:00 so for tonight I'm dien Borg. Thanks for being with us. Good night. A. Major funding for this program was made possible by friends of Iowa

Public Television.