I’m writing to ask Iowans to help show our support for the Iowans called to duty during the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq.

I’m a State Senator from Sioux City. My senate district has the second largest concentration of Guard and Reserve members in the state. I am also a Gulf War veteran. I’ve experienced and heard first hand about the stresses our friends and neighbors feel when a loved one is called to serve.

Working with other legislators in Iowa and elsewhere, I have developed a 10-point “Service Member Support Agenda.”

These common sense measures include delayed filing of taxes, helping Iowans called to service deal with leases, tuition rebates for students forced to leave classes for the military, allowing service members to deduct military expenses and the elimination of state taxes on death benefits.

I’ve spent the last month trying to bring these measures up for a vote. I’m disappointed the legislature has not made these issues a priority. Please contact your state senator and urge them to support this legislation. These are low-cost and no-cost measures that would make a real difference for Iowa families in difficult times. You can find the details at http://www.iowasenatedemocrats.org/.

Time is running out because the legislative session is scheduled to end in a month. If you agree that Iowa should offer our troops support they will appreciate, please let me know. My e-mail address is [email protected]. Your messages will help convince the Legislative leadership to make this issue a priority.

Steve Warnstadt

Sioux City Senator