State Senator Tom Courtney is currently serving his third term in the Iowa Senate.  He represents Senate District 44, which includes Des Moines and Louisa counties, and five precincts in Muscatine County.

I believe that Iowa works best when Iowans are on the job and our local businesses are thriving. And I made those goals my top priority during the 2011 session.

The Legislature approved several measures to stimulate economic growth and continue Iowa’s recovery from the national recession, including:

** Continuing the Iowa Values Fund, a successful job-creation initiative that invests in long-range economic growth for our state. Attracting and retaining good companies that offer high-quality jobs is a smart move, especially when you consider that Iowa ranks No. 1 in the nation for the lowest cost of doing business.

** Creating a new public-private partnership that will focus on bringing more good jobs to Iowa. The Iowa Partnership for Economic Progress will replace the Iowa Department of Economic Development, offering greater transparency accountability for your tax dollars.

** Maintaining a commitment to economic development initiatives at our state universities, which work with businesses on technology commercialization, marketing, entrepreneurship and business growth.

** Jump-starting innovative companies with a new tax credit for investment in businesses with new ideas to move Iowa’s economy forward.

** Offering greater resources to improve our local communities through tax credits that rehabilitate historic properties, revitalize business and industrial areas, and encourage privately-funded community improvements.

These kinds of efforts are paying off. Iowa’s economy is now 5th best in the country, up from 10th last year, according to CNBC’s annual report on America’s top states for doing business. But there is so much more we can do to stimulate small business growth and job creation in our local communities.

Several initiatives that passed the Iowa Senate with bipartisan support weren’t even considered by the Iowa House during the 2011 session. These include commercial property tax relief for four out of five Iowa businesses, affordable health insurance and low-interest loans for small businesses, industry-approved worker training for in-demand jobs, and consumer rebates for expanding clean energy in homes and businesses.

Iowa workers also suffered a setback when Governor Branstad vetoed legislation to keep Iowa’s Workforce Development offices open. These offices help workers looking for jobs and businesses looking to hire, but the Governor insists on closing 36 offices, mostly in rural areas with high unemployment. He also said “no” to a job-creation tax cut that would put more money in the pockets of working Iowa families with incomes less than $45,000. I support holding a special legislative session to override the Governor’s veto and keep Workforce Development offices open.

Next year, I hope we can take another look at some of these important initiatives to create jobs, encourage small business growth and continue Iowa’s recovery from the national recession. As we prepare for the 2012 session, please contact me with your ideas for creating Iowa jobs and improving Iowa’s economy.

Taking steps against dangerous new drugs

Several “designer drugs” have hit the streets in Iowa, threatening public safety and the health of Iowans. Use of these drugs has resulted in emergency room visits and even death. That’s why we’ve added them to Iowa’s list of Schedule 1 Controlled Substances. That means possessing, manufacturing and distributing these drugs is now a criminal offense in our state.

I supported a bipartisan effort during the 2011 session to outlaw K2 and spice, which are synthetic cannabinoids. We also added salvia, salvia divinorum and “bath salts”—not actual bath products, but designer drugs—to Iowa’s list of Schedule 1 Controlled Substances.

Bath salts can be snorted like cocaine, causing extreme energy, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, chest pain, heart attack or stroke. They can also cause hallucinations, psychosis and paranoia. Under the influence of these drugs, people can become violent or psychotic for a week or longer.

Because the “bath salts” and salvia products have been legal, the Legislature provided a 30-day cushion so that those who’ve been legally selling the drugs can dispose of them without facing criminal penalties. On August 28, “bath salts” and salvia divinorum will officially become controlled substances.

In the meantime, anybody who wants to get rid of “bath salts” and salvia products can bring them to an Iowa State Patrol District Office or to the Iowa Department of Public Safety Headquarters, no questions asked. The drop-off program runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through August 26.

For more information, contact the Department of Public Safety at 515-725-6196.

Beware when buying flood-damaged vehicles

With all the flooding we’ve had here in Iowa this year, many used cars that you see up for sale could be flood-damaged. If you’re looking to buy a car, you’ll want to take precautions because a flood-damaged vehicle can present a safety hazard.

Most used car dealers can be trusted to share information about a car’s history, but not every dealer will give you all the details. In addition, some dealers may not know if a car is flood-damaged.

To protect yourself against buying a flood-damaged car that you may not want or paying too much for one you do want, Iowa’s Attorney General offers these suggestions:

** Have the vehicle inspected by an independent auto technician and body shop before making an offer.

** Test drive the vehicle and look it over closely. Is there corrosion around the engine? Does it smell musty? Is the trunk damp?

** Check the vehicle’s history online at www.VehicleHistory.gov. You can also buy reports from companies such as Autocheck or Carfax.

If you discover that you unknowingly bought a vehicle with significant past damage, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s Office at 888-777-4590, or file a complaint online at www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov.

Iowa ranks 2nd in America for volunteerism

Iowans are some of the most generous people in the nation when it comes to donating their time and talent. In fact, our state has the second-highest volunteer rate in the country, according to a new report from the Corporation for National and Community Service. In 2010, about 38 percent of Iowans devoted time to helping others. They volunteered a total of 93.4 million hours and provided more than $2 billion in services to Iowa. For more on volunteering in Iowa or to see the Volunteering in America report, go to www.volunteeriowa.org.