114,000 Iowans Are Jobless – 6.8% Of Population

August marks another month in a long list in which Iowa’s pool of unemployed individuals grew, despite claims from Governor Culver and legislative Democrats that summer construction projects, created by federal stimulus and “I-JOBS” dollars, would put people back to work.  In fact, Iowa’s unemployment rate increased during every month this summer.   On September 18, 2009, Iowa Workforce Development announced Iowa’s unemployment rate jumped to 6.8%, its highest level since July 1986.  The jobless rate in Iowa last month stood at 6.5% and this month last year it the rate was down more than 2 points at 4.2%.  Currently, over 114,000 Iowans are out of work, nearly 6,000 more than last month and 44,000 more than a year ago.  Iowa’s construction sector lost 900 jobs in August,  9,300 eliminated throughout the past year.  Iowa’s unemployment situation is a disturbing trend that has become the norm.     House Republicans remain committed to working with their colleagues to reform Iowa’s tax code to reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses responsible for creating the jobs needed to reverse the current unemployment trend.

Kent Sorenson Announces Bid for the Iowa Senate

WINTERSET, IA – Kent Sorenson announced today his bid for the Iowa Senate in District 37. Sorenson is currently the State Representative in District 74, which is half of Senate District 37 and covers all of Warren and Madison Counties, along with two precincts in Dallas County.

Sorensen said today, “It is an honor to serve the people of Iowa and I believe I can be a better represent the people of Senate District 37 than the current senator. In the past two years I have listened to voters and worked to provide solutions to problems in state government. The majority party did not like the budget saving solutions offered for taxpayers and today we are in a budget crunch after passing the largest budget in Iowa history. We must work to reduce the over taxation, over regulation, and protect the freedoms of the people before the wants of government.”

Kent Sorenson and his wife Shawnee reside in Indianola with their six children. Kent is a small business owner, soccer coach, and past volunteer firefighter. Small businesses create over 60% of all new jobs in Iowa. In order for these businesses to grow government must cut, not increase, taxes and regulations. Education is of tremendous importance for the Sorenson family, growing up with parents as employees in the Indianola Community School system, Kent understands the best education for students is achieved with parental involvement.

Paul McKinley, Senate Republican Leader, said, “We need leaders like Kent Sorenson because Iowa cannot afford to continue to pursue the same big government agenda and policies advocated by liberal senators like Staci Appel. This race will truly offer a sharp contrast between two different directions for Iowa: If you want more government, more debt and zero action on creating jobs for Iowans – you may want to stick with the status quo.”

Sorenson continued, “It is my job to listen to the voter’s concerns. If you have questions for me all of my contact information is on my website at www.kentsorenson.com. I am here to work for you.”

Rep. Jodi Tymeson was also in attendance at the press conference to endorse Sorenson’s bid for the Iowa Senate.

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Paid for by Sorenson for Statehouse