OTTUMWA, IA -- Iowans working to improve our state are seeing results. Iowa is now the second best state in the nation in quality of life, up from fifth last year, according to Congressional Quarterly Press.
Iowa’s healthy population, safe neighborhoods and excellence in education make our state a desirable place to live, work and raise a family.
Congressional Quarterly’s annual State Rankings compares states on such quality-of-life factors as economics, education, health, public safety and environment. Here are just a few reasons we enjoy a great quality of life here in Iowa:
Recreational opportunities are key to making our state more attractive for families and young adults. Good recreational opportunities contribute to the economic growth and job creation necessary to keep young people here and to attract new generations of Iowans, especially in rural areas.
Iowa has great natural beauty and many areas where a family can enjoy the outdoors close to home. Investing in natural resources and recreational opportunities is expanding access to rivers, lakes and parks, and making them better.
This year, we increased funding for the Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP) program to its highest level ever. REAP provides state dollars to local projects that develop parks and trails, improve lakes, and promote access to natural resources. To learn about REAP projects in our area over the years, go to www.iowadnr.gov/reap/expend.html.
We’re improving water quality by funding soil and water conservation projects at record levels. This means helping farmers and other landowners install buffer strips, terraces and other conservation structures. It also includes lake restoration efforts and expanding grasslands and wildlife habitat. These efforts are increasing hunting and fishing in Iowa while improving water quality.
Iowa consistently ranks among the top 10 states for the most adults engaged in volunteering. Volunteers in Iowa collectively contribute 89 million hours of service annually. That’s an economic impact of more than $1.7 billion.
This year, the Legislature acted to increase opportunities for young Iowans to volunteer to help our state and improve their own futures.
A new “Green Corps” will put AmeriCorps members to work on major community projects with an emphasis on energy efficiency, historic preservation, and storm water reduction and management. And the “Summer Youth Corps” will help low-income young people learn skills through on-the-job-experience. With additional volunteers authorized through the federal stimulus package, more than 1,400 AmeriCorps members will serve in Iowa in 2009.
In addition, Governor Chet Culver recently announced the “Summer of Service,” an initiative designed to bolster civic engagement, better our communities, and develop creative partnerships for working together. All Iowans—whether seeking to volunteer or in need of volunteers for community service projects—can find out more about Summer of Service at www.volunteeriowa.org or by calling 1-800-308-5987.
This year the Legislature approved smarter, tougher, safer laws for sex offenders and committed $3.4 million for victim assistance grants across Iowa. We’re also in the midst of a long-term project to improve all of Iowa’s criminal laws.
As we continue to invest state dollars in making our communities safer, we’re pleased that the federal government recently approved more than $3.1 million for the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault to combat sexual violence and increase services to victims.
Iowa agencies will be able to apply for this grant money, which will allow them to participate in a multi-year project to improve services for sexual assault victims.
Senator Becky Schmitz is chair of the Education Committee and vice-chair of the Human Resources Committee. She also serves on the Commerce, Economic Growth, and Ways & Means committees, and is a member of the Health & Human Services Budget Subcommittee. She can be reached at becky.schmitz@legis.state.ia.us. To find out more on Senator Schmitz visit www.iowasenatedemocrats.org/schmitz.