Steven Adams political profile
Answered by Steven Adams
Education: B.S. in Secondary Education, Northwest Missouri State University; M. S. in Communication, Texas Christian University.
Work Experience: Business Development for two of the largest engineering and architectural firms in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and Executive Director of the Mansfield Chamber of Commerce (Texas 1981-1991), Executive Director Red Oak Chamber of Commerce, Red Oak Industrial Foundation and Montgomery County Development Corporation (1992-1999), Iowa State University Extension and Outreach-Community and Economic Development Unit (1999-present)
Why should voters support you Feb. 10?
I have over 30 years experience in economic and community development raising millions of dollars for businesses and towns throughout southwest Iowa, have served on state boards as an appointee by three different Governors in Iowa (Vilsack, Culver and Branstad) and have been legislative co-chair for the Southwest Iowa Coalition (SWICO) for the past 16 years taking southwest Iowa economic concerns to Des Moines and Washington D.C. I have also already worked to craft legislation with sitting legislators.
Transportation needs are evident in southwest Iowa and throughout the state. How would you want the state to address those needs, specifically regarding funding?
Governor Branstad asked for recommendations from IDOT director, Paul Trombino, on alternative funding for transportation back in 2012 and he provided five options, any one of which is viable. My personal preference is for a road use or fuel tax as it more fairly charges everyone who uses Iowa roads or buys fuel in the state. I also believe that at the state level, we ought to insist that the U.S. Congress pass a comprehensive transportation and infrastructure bill, that puts America back to work and shares the costs for these transportation repairs and improvements. A good transportation system is directly correlated to economic growth, so I would also support the expansion of U.S. Highway 34 to four lanes between Glenwood and Osceola and the further development of the Missouri River as a marine highway.
The viability of small, rural schools is another topic of interest to voters in District 23. What ideas do you have to help local schools thrive in the 21st century?
The numbers don’t lie, our enrollments are shrinking across the district and schools are seeing a budgetary pinch at every turn, which means the current school funding formula is working against southwest Iowa. Options could include changing the funding formula, developing regional school systems, distance learning opportunities, etc. We have to grow our rural economies and thereby grow our population base under the current system, change the system itself, or make hard choices to the detriment of our children. I am not in favor of the latter, so let’s figure something out “collectively” that works for all of Iowa.
How should the legislature help spur economic growth in southwest Iowa?
I think the legislature can “guide” economic development in southwest Iowa with the appropriate leadership, but ultimately, the Governor and IEDA are forging the economic “policies.” I would say that as your Iowa House Representative from District-23, I would oppose any incentive funding to IEDA unless the language for these programs specifically included provisions for leveraged financial advantages for rural areas of the state. The days of a strong manufacturing economy are behind us due in large part to trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA and others, so I believe it is incumbent for us to take a look at economic development programs that will support locally owned and operated small business.
What other ideas will you bring to Des Moines if elected to the House of Representatives?
One out of five households (20 percent) in Iowa fall below the federal poverty level; that in my mind is just plain wrong, especially when we have some of the highest number of jobs per household in the country. That says one thing to me: that Iowans are willing to work hard but they are not making a livable wage. One of my first priorities as District 23 Representative will be exploring a statewide referendum for raising the minimum wage in Iowa. My other focus issue is to continue a statewide effort to maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that supports our ethanol and bio-diesel industries and our farmers. Iowa is working toward energy independence with alternative fuels, wind energy, solar and geothermal and we must maintain that cutting edge mentality.