Iowa House of Representatives

With gas prices on the rise and families looking for the best value for their vacation dollar Iowans need look no further than their own backyards.  The Iowa Department of Tourism has an EXCELLENT website that links travelers to a number of resources.

Be sure to visit these pages for further information:

Things to Do in Iowa
Travel Tools
Deals & Discounts

House Democrats regularly post stories and information about area attractions in their newsletter.  You can subscribe the newsletter of your state representative by visiting the “Statehouse News” page on the website.  I link is below:

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You never know what you may come across in the great outdoors of Iowa - and some people had sightings of a black bear in northeast Iowa during the first few weeks of June.  A 2007 report from the Iowa DNR detailed how Black Bears were once indigenous to Iowa (H/T to Brenda Friedrich @ enroute365):

“When the settlers reached Iowa, they found [bears] widespread throughout the state … Bears were killed because they would damage crops, harass and kill livestock, and because they were valuable both as food and for their hides.

It seems a bear from Wisconsin has made it’s way on a 250+ mile journey through Iowa. The story from the AP is here:

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - A black bear apparently looking for love has made his way back to a natural habitat after several weeks of roaming Iowa and Illinois.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist Terry Haindfield says the bear’s 250-mile journey probably started as a search for a mate.

The bear was first spotted on June 6 near Lansing, Iowa, a Mississippi River town near the Wisconsin border, and was last spotted in Iowa on June 14 near Goose Lake, more than 100 miles south.

Haindfield says the bear traveled about 20 miles a day, and frequent reports from residents helped him keep track of the bear’s movements.

The bear is now in the woods near Baraboo, Wisc., about 100 miles east of the Iowa border.

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/

Several new laws will hit the books on July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year. Several changes were made during the 2009 legislative session that will impact Iowans, including new restrictions on sex offenders, foreclosure protection, and better health care.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• Foreclosure Protection - Iowans will benefit from expanded services when facing foreclosure, more accurate information from mortgage brokers or bankers, and active duty reservists and national guard members will have new protections from foreclosure while serving (House File 706, Senate File 355, and Senate File 364)

  More →

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been working on reintroducing the Peregrine Falcon to it’s natural habitat throughout the state. Charlotte Eby of Lee Enterprises has the story below (with photo of House Chief Clerk Mark Brandsgard):

Bob Nandell photos/Iowa State Capitol

Twenty years after wildlife officials began efforts to bring endangered peregrine falcons back, the spectacular birds are making a slow but steady return to the Iowa skies.

This year, 13 nesting pairs have been reported in the state along with a new generation of young.
Bird lovers from around Iowa have turned out in recent weeks to see fledgling peregrines leave the nests and test their wings for the first time.
[...snip...]
­Its hard to be casual around these birds or take them for granted because theyll get your attention, said Pat Schlarbaum, a wildlife diversity technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Schlarbaum said the DNR has seen incremental improvement since 10 years ago, when the state had just two nesting pairs. The department has far exceeded its goal of having five nesting pairs in the state, and its taking public comment until July 16 on a plan to remove peregrine falcons from Iowas endangered species list.
One of the most visible Iowa pairs of peregrine falcons calls a ledge on the State Capitol home.

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The Iowa Supreme Court announced their budget saving plan for Fiscal Year 2010 (which begins on July 1). Since the national recession has weakened state revenues over the last 12 months, the courts are reducing expenses by $5.4 million next year. Earlier this month, legislators outlined their plan to reduce the Legislature’s budget by 10% next year.

Here’s the release from the Iowa Supreme Court:

Budget Ax Continues to Hit Iowa Courts
Contact: Rebecca Colton, Counsel to the Chief Justice, (515)281-8205

Des Moines, June 25, 2009 - Today, the Iowa Supreme Court announced another round of cost cutting for the state’s court system-the second round of cuts since January. This latest round of cuts is necessary to balance the Judicial Branch budget for Fiscal Year 2010, which begins July 1. More →

       

Thanks to creation of the Iowa Power Fund and Office of Energy Indepedence two years ago, Iowa is one of the first states in the nation to receive $16 million from President Obama for renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts.  

The U.S. Secretary of Energy came to Iowa to make the announcement on Monday. The $16 million is the first installment of federal recovery funds for energy that will total about $40 million. More →

The State of Iowa has outlined plans to spend $517 million in federal funds for disaster recovery through the Community Development Block Grant program.  Some highlights include $245 million for housing buyouts, $25 million for small business assistance, and  $135 million for new housing.

Read the proposed plan here.

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From Radio Iowa:

Supporters of an Iowa City to Chicago Amtrak route say it could become a reality in two to three years. Rebecca Neades is spearheading the effort for the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Neads says, “We have a very good shot at passenger rail from Iowa City to Chicago. We have all the right people in Washington right now looking at passenger rail and making that a priority. We have our feasibility study that’s done. It looks very very promising.”

She says they believe about 187,000 people would ride the train every year. Neads says the train is a very appealing option. “It’s a quick turnaround. It’s only a five hour ride. The cost is very inexpensive, they’re keeping it down at around 42 dollars and it’s a very safe, economical, and environmentally friendly way to travel,” Neads says.

She says the federal government could pay most of the more than fifty million dollar cost for the route because the midwest is largely underserved, and Illinois and Iowa are working together on the project. Neads says long-term plans include extending the passenger rail line from Iowa City to Des Moines and then to Omaha.

The June 12th edition of the House Democratic “Statehouse News” is available for download:

http://iowahouse.org/statehouse-news/

Fiscal responsibility and balancing the state budget were the top priorities of the Legislative Council that met today at the State Capitol in Des Moines.

“Just as families are forced to tighten their belts, state government and the Legislature are no different. We will do our part by cutting over 10% from the Legislature’s budget next year,” said House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque, who noted that savings include a pay freeze for all legislative employees, reducing travel budgets, and cutting back next year’s legislative session by 10 days.

“We know we are faced with another difficult budget next year so we’ve approved a State Government Reorganization Commission to improve efficiency, eliminate duplication, reduce costs and modernize how government works,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines. “We look forward to working with Governor Culver and the executive branch to find ideas that will not only save money for taxpayers, but also improve service to Iowans.”
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