Capitol Update from State Representative Dustin Hite: January 24, 2019
Rep. Dustin Hite (R-District 79)
by Rep. Dustin Hite
The second week of session has just wrapped up and we are busy at work at the Statehouse. The committees I have been assigned to include the Judiciary committee, as the Vice-Chair, the Local Government committee, the Ways and Means committee, and the Veterans Affairs committee. Additionally, I serve on the Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee. I hope to use my experience as an attorney as well as a former mayor to provide insight into issues that come up in these committees.
As we start the real work of the people of Iowa, I have already been assigned several bills in subcommittee, including two of which I am the chair. These two bills are House Study Bill 8, which involves allowing clerks of court to do work for more than four counties, and House Study Bill 29, which involves allowing Operating While Intoxicated-3rd and subsequent offenses to count towards our habitual offender law. I plan to have the subcommittee meetings on these bills next week.
I am also proud to announce that Iowa’s unemployment rate remains low. Under the guidance of Governor Reynolds, the state boasted an unemployment rate of 2.4% for the third straight month. The state’s jobless rate was 2.9 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent in December.
“In 2018, four out of every five jobs created in Iowa were in the construction and manufacturing sectors,” said Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Because more Iowans are employed in manufacturing than in any other industry and construction is a leading economic indicator of growth across industries – this month’s jobs report indicates we are moving in the right direction – our manufacturing core is getting stronger and our businesses are focused on development. The challenge we face is ensuring Iowans have the skills our employers need to power their potential. The time is now to invest in Future Ready Iowa, a powerful tool to grow family incomes, meet employer needs and strengthen communities.”
The number of unemployed Iowans remained at 40,600 in December. The current estimate is 8,700 lower than the year ago level of 49,300. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,651,300 in December. This figure was 2,300 higher than November and 25,700 higher than one year ago.
While the shortened week and weather kept many away from the Statehouse this week, I look forward to meeting with more constituents in the coming weeks. I encourage anyone making a trip to the State Capitol to reach out to me via email (dustin.hite@legis.iowa.gov) if you would like to talk. If you prefer to stay closer to home, I will be speaking at Eggs and Issues a couple times this year. The first time is this Saturday, January 26, at 8:30 am at Smokey Row in Oskaloosa. I encourage everyone to come out for the coffee and conversation.
