Thursday, April 05, 2007
Governor Culver Signed Generation Iowa Bill Into Law
“The new economy is here … We need to ensure that we have a team willing and ready to play in this new economy.”
(Des Moines) Today, Governor Chet Culver was proud to sign House File 617, better known as the “Generation Iowa” bill, into law. The bill establishes a new Generation Iowa Commission within the Department of Economic Development to advise and assist in retaining and attracting young adults in the state in both urban and rural areas.
“This very important piece of legislation is a step toward building one unlimited future for the State of Iowa,” said Governor Culver. “We need input from young Iowans to take action to make this state the place they envision it should be.
Governor Culver was joined at the bill signing ceremony by legislators and members of Iowa young professional groups who were influential in getting this important bill to the Governor’s desk.
The Governor went on to say, “We are now number one in the country in ethanol production capacity, number one in the country in bio-diesel production capacity, and the 3rd largest wind generating state in the nation. The new economy is here, and it will continue to grow. We need to ensure that we have a team willing and ready to play in this new economy.
“This new generation is our team and they are our future workforce. As the number of skilled workers continues to drop in this state – an estimated shortage of 150,000 by 2012, it is important we focus on ways to keep young Iowans here. This new generation needs to have input, and through HF 617, they can begin to create a dialogue that will inform government, community and citizens.”
To apply to be a member of the Commission, Iowans can download the form and follow submittal instructions from the Governor’s website.