Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson spoke about “restoring the luster to our education system” in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union Thursday afternoon.

Addressing an audience of about 26 educators and a few students, Pederson said, “Our plans here are visionary. I believe that Iowa has not seen such a positive blueprint for education.”

Gov. Tom Vilsack and Pederson are focused on bettering education in Iowa.

In his budget address, Vilsack highlighted his initiatives to make Iowa schools No. 1 by again asking for increased investment in key areas — reducing class size, improving reading skills and providing a safe environment for children.

Pederson described Vilsack’s budget address to the general assembly as “inspiring and exciting.”

“There was just great energy in the room,” she said.

In her speech, Pederson laid out the budget she and Vilsack prepared for the Iowa Legislature, mentioning issues such as fighting the drug war of methamphetamines, health care and education.

“Education is our top priority,” Pederson said. “I’m optimistic that we are standing on the dawn of a new day for education in Iowa.”

Vilsack and Pederson are proposing an increase of $6.2 million to fully fund community colleges in order to reduce their tuition costs.

“We want to make sure that higher education is more accessible and affordable to every Iowan who wants to enroll,” Pederson said.

Another proposal on the budget poses an increase in financial aid for students through State of Iowa scholarships and various grants.

Pederson said by adding to “cultural and recreational attractions” in the state, she and Vilsack hope to “keep young Iowans here” after graduation.

“We’re very serious about trying to keep young Iowans here by engaging young people in looking at the vision for Iowa,” she said.

Iowa State will play a major roll in making Iowa the “Food Capitol of the World,” she said.

Vilsack and Pederson plan on pouring $2 million of state funding into a high-tech agricultural research center of plant science at the university.

Pederson said another plan is a three-year grant to enhance local libraries.

The grant would provide a total of about $6 million to “enhance current technology and promote higher levels of service.”

“Libraries are a cornerstone in providing Iowans with lifelong learning experiences,” Pederson said.