Chuck Gipp, majority whip of the Iowa House of Representatives, said Gov. Tom Vilsack’s continued involvement with the Legislature will improve Iowa.

Gipp spoke at a meeting with members of the College Republicans last week.

“It’s for the best interest of Iowans that we continue to work with Gov. Vilsack,” he said. “We are sure glad that the Legislature is ready to work with the governor to move the state forward.”

Gipp, who will run for majority leader next term, also discussed new actions on issues such as spending, taxes and the methamphetamine problem.

Gipp said both the Democrat and Republican parties have similar goals in mind for Iowa and would like to accomplish the same things.

“We are concerned about education, sustainable spending, the environment, quality of life issues and the methamphetamine explosion,” he said.

Gipp wants to make sure that any money the government gives out can be continued in the future.

“Whenever spending increases … it’s our goal to make sure that whatever we give is sustainable in the future,” he said.

He also said the focus on a new tax bill in progress this year is to “make sure that those that make the money in the state get to determine spending.”

The new packet will cut taxes $700 million during the next five years, “so you can keep the tax that you make,” Gipp said.

When questioned about progress on tackling the state’s meth problem, Gipp said there is no clear solution.

“There are no easy answers,” he said. “It’s going to be a matter of education, interdiction and stiffer penalties; [all will] cost us tremendously over the next few years.”

Gipp said the only way the drug problem is going to be eradicated is if the drug trade becomes nonprofitable.

“There is a minimal amount that we can do because we can’t control the people who use it,” he said.

However, Gipp said more prisons should be built in Iowa.

“We will have to build more prisons but also look at other alternatives besides just putting people in jail,” he said.

Gipp said currently all prisoners have to be able to perform 40 hours of labor a week. The problem is finding jobs for them because they need to have private-sector jobs.

He also discussed the recent dove-hunting bill, a measure he deemed a “divisive issue that really has no business being debated on.”

To improve the Republican Party’s success, Gipp said new ideas and involvement will be needed.

“The Republican Party will need to be rebuilt with people with ideas, to be sure that the Republican Party remains a viable issue,” he said.