DES MOINES - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that his staff will return to all 99 counties this summer to discuss how ideas obtained from Iowans last year on how to rebuild the middle class have influenced legislation introduced by Harkin. The mobile office tour begins this month in schools in 30 counties.
"Last year, my staff and I heard from too many Iowans who were working hard, playing by the rules, but still seeing the American Dream slip away. It was clear from those conversations that our country needed a comprehensive strategy to reverse that course," said Harkin. "The Rebuild America Act puts policies in place that will repair the engine that drives our nation's economic growth: the middle class. It creates the good jobs families need now through robust investments in America and will help grow the middle class in the long term by building economic opportunity for families. I am proud that my staff is able to return to areas they visited last year to tell Iowans how legislation they influenced could benefit their families."
The Rebuild America Act, unveiled in March, tackles the problem of the shrinking middle class in four ways: by taking immediate steps to create jobs and kick-start the economy, by investing in our roads, bridges, schools, and other critical infrastructure needs, by implementing policies that will help families achieve financial security and peace of mind, and by paying for these new investments through a balanced tax code that reduces inequality and fosters economic growth. It comes after a year of hearings and events in Washington and Iowa conducted by Senator Harkin, the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and his staff.
This year's mobile office tour will highlight various aspects of the bill, beginning with provisions that modernize America's schools. Harkin has long believed that too many of our nation's schools are not equipped to meet the needs of 21st Century students and teachers. His legislation provides $20 billion in formula grants for the modernization, renovation, and repair of early learning facilities, K-12 public schools, and community colleges.
Each summer, Senator Harkin's staff visits each Iowa County to talk to Iowans about the issues impacting them and their families. Staff will then post information on their visits on Senator Harkin's web site (http://harkin.senate.gov/)
A full list of events for this year's tour is still coming together, but all events will be advised to media by county.
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