In a relaxed open forum and debate, the two local state senatorial candidates agreed on the need to allocate more money to Iowa's state universities but differed on where the source for the funds lie.
While munching on veggies and sipping on punch, UI students in I-Envision and Public Interest Research Group also asked Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, and UI Professor Jay Christensen-Szalanski about tuition increases, renewable energy, and the future of Iowa's entrepreneurial students Tuesday at the Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory.
The professor of management and organizations said the state governments needs to be more active in funding for the three state Board of Regents' institutions, saying that 80 percent of state financial aid goes to students at private universities. Bolkcom, the eight-year incumbent, said he wants more federal assistance, citing gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle's support of the $12 million cut in federal need-based funding.
"I think government works best when the city does not tell the state how to run itself and when the state does not tell the federal government how to do its job," Christensen-Szalanski said. "Before we blame Washington, we need to take a strong look at what the state is doing."
Meanwhile, Bolkcom said he supports "strong" state appropriations for university funding.
"But the state can't do it all," he said.
Christensen-Szalanski also touted his Iowa Advantage Fund, which will give employers tax credits to help employees with debt from school, a move he believes will keep Iowa competitive with larger job markets.
Bolkcom said creating an entertaining environment in Iowa is essential to enticing young people to come and stay.
Renewable energy was another topic on students' minds. The lawmakers discussed what they would do to help with global warming and put Iowa in the market for alternative energy sources.
"I think we ought to tell the university to be a leader in energy efficiency," Bolkcom said. "We ought to encourage them to do more."
Touting investing in privately owned wind farms and increased energy efficiency, Bolkcom said the state isn't doing enough to combat global warming and said "Iowa is a pretty wasteful state when it comes to energy consumption."
Adding to Bolkcom's argument on energy consumption, Christensen-Szalanski thinks biomass - energy from agricultural waste - is the future of Iowa's contribution to renewable energy.
"I'm reluctant to tell the university how to run itself," he said. "But at the same time, the UI has a strong interest in dealing with global climate. The state has a rich potential with biomass from corn stalks."
Tuesday's event was sponsored by I-Envision and Public Interest Research Group, in an effort to get 2,000 people registered to vote before the Nov. 7 elections.
"If you haven't [registered] yet, get out there, and do it," I-Envision President Joe Rodemeyer said. "Don't make me break your legs."
E-mail DI reporter Mike Mendenhall at:
michael-mendenhall@uiowa.edu
