To continue Iowa’s recovery from the national recession, we must invest in our workforce and economy. Our state is known for quality education and a highly skilled works, but we can’t afford to move backward when the jobs of tomorrow require more training than ever.

As we hammer out the state budget, education is the biggest area of difference between the Iowa House and the Senate. The budget proposed by House Republicans will shut down worker training programs, eliminate economic growth initiatives, and price Iowa’s middle-class families out of a college education.

House Republicans seek to cut $31 million from our state universities. To keep college affordable for middle-class Iowa students, I support a $27 million increase for the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State and the University of Iowa. Our nationally recognized universities not only educate our future workers and business leaders, but they are economic engines in their own right.

I’ve heard from local business owners and economic developers that access to capital is difficult during the lingering recession.

That’s why the Senate Economic Growth Committee voted this week to expand eligibility for Iowa’s Save Our Small Business Loan Program. Last year, the Legislature set aside $5 million for these low-interest loans that help small businesses create jobs. The loans range from $2,500 to $50,000 and are available to businesses with 35 or fewer employees.

This follows the Committee’s approval last week of a measure to help more communities redevelop their commercial and industrial areas. These efforts are part of our “Iowa Works” initiative that invests in jobs, education and small business efforts to grow Iowa’s economy.