Published: August 21, 2008 04:28 pm            

Inside the Iowa Legislature

Rebuilding after the floods



Governor Culver’s Rebuild Iowa Commission has been holding meetings and public hearings to assess the flood-related damage to homes, businesses, public infrastructure, agriculture, and other areas. He has pulled together key staff from various state agencies into a new “Rebuild Iowa Office,” overseen by Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge, to coordinate the relief effort at the state level. A number of legislators have been attending the commission meetings and are also serving on nine task forces set up by the Governor and Legislature to assist the Commission with their work. We don’t yet know the full extent of the flood damage, except that it’s staggering, and we don’t fully know what it will take to rebuild, except that we will do whatever it takes to rebuild better.

The commission’s initial report, due September 2, should help us determine if there is a need to call a special session or if we should wait for the next regular session, scheduled to convene next January 12. Keep in mind that, upon declaring a disaster emergency, the Governor already has fairly broad statutory authority to redirect state resources and temporarily waive regulations in order to respond to the crisis. 

Based upon discussions I’ve had with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other legislative leaders, I think there is consensus that, before convening a special session, we will need to work in advance with Senate and House leaders of both parties to develop a bipartisan agreement on what should be accomplished in special session. It’s essential that our relief efforts not get mired in politics in the weeks ahead.

While awaiting the commission’s initial report, I have encouraged lawmakers to volunteer for cleanup efforts, and I’ve got to tip my hat to Reps. Art Staed, Roger Thomas, Tyler Olson, Dave Jacoby, Todd Taylor, Dick Taylor, and others who have spent whatever time they could spare assisting with flood cleanup efforts in their own communities. I visited Columbus Junction and spent a day tearing out flood-ruined walls in Cedar Rapids, where cleanup efforts are ongoing. While the flood waters have receded, the grueling clean up efforts continue and volunteers are still needed to help. Anyone wishing to volunteer in Cedar Rapids can contact the AmeriCorps/VISTA office at 319-540-4810; in the Iowa City area, call the United Way at 319-337-8657. For volunteer efforts in other communities around Iowa, go to www.flood2008.iowa.gov. The website also has information on disaster assistance available for Iowans.



State’s Economy continues to grow



State Fiscal Year 2008 ended June 30 on a strong note when our revenues beat projections by $40 million, suggesting that Iowa’s economy continues to outperform the U.S. economy. The good news is at least partly due to the growing alternative energy industry in Iowa and other economic development initiatives we’ve approved that brought Google and Microsoft to our state. The additional revenue would normally flow into the state’s reserve accounts, but since those accounts are currently full at $620 million, the extra revenue will go into the Senior Living Trust Fund. Obviously there is concern about how the floods will impact the state’s economy in the next few months and years, but we are entering the rebuilding phase in good fiscal shape with a balanced budget and full reserves.



University of Iowa under scrutiny



I am encouraged that the Board of Regents hired an independent investigation firm to help re-examine the response from the University of Iowa concerning the alleged rape in October, 2007 of a student-athlete by two former members of the Hawkeye football team.  On July 28 the co-chairs of the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee, Rep. Vicki Lensing of Iowa City and Sen. Tom Courtney of Burlington, wrote to the Regents to offer to seek legislative authority to issue subpoenas to induce testimony before the Oversight Committee, for any person the Regents feel is not cooperating fully with the inquiry.  Moreover, Lensing and Courtney have scheduled a special meeting of the Oversight Committee on September 19, to review the results of the reopened investigation in order to help determine if a further legislative response is warranted. 

        

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