Remembering Why Labor Day is Important

Submitted by Jerry Behn, Senate Republican Leader

For most Iowans, the upcoming Labor Day weekend and the picnics and community celebrations that accompany it act as a symbolic end to summer. It becomes one last great opportunity to get together with friends before the hustle and bustle of fall harvest and school activities take hold.

Labor Day is also historically a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the American worker and entrepreneur. It was hardworking Americans from all walks in life who built this country into the great nation it has become because they believed in creating better lives for themselves and their families.

Now, as we embark on this Labor Day at a time when many Iowans and Americans are unemployed, underemployed and hurting economically, it’s a good time to lay out what needs to be done to put more Iowans back to work and build a strong economy and therefore a strong Iowa.

Senate Republicans are committed to building a strong Iowa economy, a strong but efficient state budget and strong schools and communities. Here are 12 important steps to accomplish that:

• Promote job creation through tax relief and reform, especially property and income taxes

• Eliminate job-killing red tape and burdensome regulations

• Increase career opportunities by investing in a skilled and competitive workforce

• Send a strong message that Iowa is a place to start and grow a business

• Create certainty with balanced budgets that spend less than we take in

• Save taxpayers’ money by operating an efficient and effective government

• Implement sensible state government pay and benefits

• Encourage a stable and predictable business climate that provides certainty for job creators to begin investing and hiring

• Advance education reforms that offer accountability, innovation and choice for parents

• Promote career readiness and opportunities for future generations to prosper in Iowa

• Fight for Iowa solutions to meet Iowa needs for affordable patient-centered health care

• Preserve the values, freedoms and liberties that are the foundation of Iowa

As you enjoy your holiday weekend with your friends and your family – remember the true meaning of Labor Day and think carefully about what needs to be done so that we can build a stronger Iowa economy.

If we have the right people making decisions who are leading with the right policies, there is no doubt that in the near future, more Iowans and Americans will be back working again.

Thanks for your time and as always, I want to hear from you and I can be reached by phone at 515-281-3560 or by e-mail at Jerry.Behn@legis.iowa.gov

Jerry Behn

Senate Republican Leader

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