New leader says republicans must focust their agenda

A newly-elected leader in the legislature says Republicans must “refocus”their agenda, or risk losing majority control of the legislature in 2000.House Republican Leader-Elect Christopher Rants of Sioux City intends tostage public hearings around the state this summer and fall to guage publicreaction to the G.O.P.’s new agenda.Rants wants Republicans to re-focus their economic message.Rants believes state policymakers should aim to grow Iowa businesses byproviding more venture capital and ensuring rural areas get high-speedtelephone lines.Rants, a 31-year-old, made his comments during taping of the Iowa PublicTelevision program, “Iowa Press.”