Rozenboom: Lawmakers play key role in our children’s future

Ken Rozenboom (left) shakes hands with Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz (right) upon filing his papers to run for the Iowa Senate (photo submitted)

OSKALOOSA – Decisions Iowa legislators make in the coming years will play a vital role in shaping our children’s and grandchildren’s future, State Senate candidate and Mahaska County Supervisor Ken Rozenboom said.

“For our children and grandchildren to have a brighter future, we must offer them the best education of any state in our great nation,” Rozenboom said. “It is unacceptable Iowa has slipped to the middle of the pack at a time when our kids need the skills to compete in an increasingly competitive global economy.”

However, reforming education isn’t the only answer, Rozenboom said. Iowa must make significant strides to improve our economy to ensure the next generation of workers has opportunities to succeed.

“We need to open our state up for business and economic development and create a climate where entrepreneurs are able to thrive on Main Street, in our industrial parks and on their farms,” Rozenboom said. “Iowans need a climate where they can invest in our workforce and create jobs.”

Rozenboom officially earned a spot on the ballot for the newly drawn Senate District 40 race Friday after submitting 391 nomination petition signatures to the Secretary of State’s office. Rozenboom said he has been speaking with Senate District 40 voters, who reside in Mahaska, Monroe and Appanoose counties, western Wapello County, and the city of Pella in Marion County, and listening to their concerns.

“Talking with voters in our new district, I hear a common theme: people want their government to get the wasteful, out-of-control spending under control,” Rozenboom said. “They know the over-zealous spending will result in higher property taxes.”

Rozenboom and his wife of 40 years Becky have a son, who is an Army paratrooper on his second deployment to Afghanistan, and a daughter and a son-in-law who have three children. Rozenboom, who was elected to the Mahaska Board of Supervisors in 2010, is a farmer and agri-businessman. He was born and still resides in Mahaska County. Rozenboom and his brother operate Rosewood Farms, a family farming operation in rural Mahaska County.

“I am excited to be a Republican candidate for the new Iowa Senate District 40 seat,” Rozenboom said. “In the coming months, my optimistic message will be very clear: the people deserve better direction at the Statehouse so our children and grandchildren have a brighter future.”