GOP Chairman Matt Strawn Promotes Job Security in Cedar Rapids
Posted by iowabrigade on March 11, 2009
Warns prevailing wage legislation will devastate area’s small businesses
Cedar Rapids, IA – In the second stop on a five-city statewide tour promoting Job Security for Iowans, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman, Matt Strawn, today joined Cedar Rapids homeowners and small business owners to speak out against the job killing measures currently being considered by the Iowa Legislature. The Democrat-controlled Legislature has begun work on a series of bills that not only raise property taxes on all Iowans, but could force many Iowa businesses to shut their doors.
Despite over 80,000 Iowans being out of work and many Cedar Rapids families still struggling to recover from the floods of 2008, legislative Democrats continue to promote legislation that would devastate even more Iowa jobs, while dramatically increasing the cost of Iowa rebuilding efforts. Recently, the Iowa House considered House File 333, which would enact a prevailing wage in Iowa. The “prevailing wage” would mandate wage and benefit packages at levels that will raise the cost of public projects across the state and result in higher property taxes for Iowans.
“Iowa currently boasts a very worker-friendly environment that has served our state well for years. It is inexcusable for legislative Democrats and Governor Culver, in this period of economic crisis, to pile additional costs onto the backs of Iowa’s small businesses,” said Strawn.
Cedar Rapids business owner, Cindy Golding relocated to Cedar Rapids from Illinois years ago because of Iowa’s seemingly pro-business climate.
“Even as the economic environment is getting worse, our state legislature is considering several anti-business bills (i.e. prevailing wage, work-comp doctor “shopping”, revocation of “right to work”). We intentionally located our businesses in Iowa and we will choose to leave if the anti-business forces prevail,” said Cindy Golding.
“Republican leaders understand that Cindy Golding, and thousands just like her all across our state, are the ones who create jobs in Iowa. Iowa needs leadership that understands government does not create jobs – risk-taking entrepreneurs and small business owners create jobs and grow our economy,” continued Strawn.
Strawn noted that Iowa Republicans are offering bold solutions at the Capitol to empower Iowans, not government, to secure and create jobs in the Hawkeye State. Strawn specifically referred to GOP proposals providing immediate and substantial job creation tax credits, constitutionally protecting Iowa’s Right-to-Work law, and begin a fundamental debate on Iowa’s hostile tax and regulatory environment.
