Cedar Rapids Gazette Applauds Actions by Legislature on Flood Recovery

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The Cedar Rapids Gazette applauded the action by the state legislature on flood recovery efforts.

At the bottom line, more than $400 million was pledged in various ways toward flood recovery, mitigation and future preparation. Clearly, even that large sum pales in comparison to the needs that still exist. But during a year when the state faced serious budget difficulties, we agree with Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, who calls it a "significant victory."

Legislative action includes $56 million swiftly approved in the session's opening days for recovery needs. In the session's final hours, a series of massive bonding initiatives were approved that include $45 million expressly for Cedar Rapids infrastructure projects, including dollars focused on repairs to several government and cultural facilities. Local projects also may receive finds from other portions of the bonding program in the coming months.

Another $100 million in bonds were approved for flood-related projects at the University of Iowa.

Additional housing funds were approved, and tens of millions of dollars in tax credits were authorized to encourage investments in new housing and in the preservation of historic structures damaged by flooding.

The Legislature also poured resources into efforts to prevent future flooding, including millions of dollars to repair flood-damaged soil conservation practices and to expand multiple programs within the Iowa Department of Natural Resources aimed at better managing floodplains and runoff in watersheds across the state.

Iowa House Votes for $56 million for Flood Relief

Yesterday, the Iowa House voted 98 - 0 to spend $56 million for flood relief.

"If this isn't responding to an emergency, I don't know what is," floor manager Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, said about House File 64 that makes $56 million available for housing assistance, the personal needs of individuals and grants to cities to help with flood recovery efforts. "But I want to emphasize this is only the first step. Inaction is not an option."

Representatives had no problem with dipping into the state's $155 million economic emergency accounts to help flood and tornado victims, but minority Republicans sought to improve accountability and prevent an increase in the number of state employees at a time the governor is calling for spending cuts.

Olson hopes the bill wins quick approval in the Senate and lands on Gov. Chet Culver's desk yet this week.

I would like to thank Tyler Olson and other Cedar Rapids/Iowa City legislators for their leadership on this issues.

Energy Solutions are up to Individuals

I stopped at Target yesterday and as I was checking out the person in front of me had 2 large packages of light bulbs. These weren't the energy efficient compact flourescent bulbs. I thought about the energy that could be saved if this person would have replaced these lightbulbs with energy efficient compact flourescent bulbs.

I concluded that no matter how much money we put into a power fund for renewable energy research or how many ethanol and biodiesel plants we build, real change won't happen until individual people take it upon themselves to make smarter decision to save energy and help the environment.

Today's opinion section of the Des Moines Register expresses the same sentiments. They have 2 articles worth reading: Energy Solutions begin at home and Individuals must take on energy-efficiency ethic.

The Register concludes in Energy solutions begin at home...

It makes sense to seek local solutions to energy challenges through conservation and alternative-energy sources. Just as the states are laboratories for democracy, they can be laboratories for developing new sources of energy and finding ways to use less of it. The answers aren't in Washington but right in our own backyards, in the way we build our communities and live our lives.

Government can help encourage individuals to make the choices and promote conservation. The Iowa House passed the Energy City legislation written by Tyler Olson that help accomplish this.

Tyler Olson Introduces Energy City Legislation

Tyler Olson (D-Cedar Rapids) has introduced a bill (House File 773) that would...

...establish an energy city designation program, with the objective of encouraging cities to develop and implement innovative energy efficiency programs.

This bill is scheduled to be debated in the Iowa House on Tuesday, March 20th.

Here is the explanation on the bill...

This bill provides for the establishment by the department of natural resources of an energy city designation. The objective of the designation shall be to encourage cities to develop and implement innovative energy efficiency programs. To qualify for designation as an energy city, the bill provides that a city shall submit an application including the submission of community=based plans for energy reduction projects, energy efficient building construction and rehabilitation, and alternative or renewable energy production; efforts to secure local funding for those plans; involvement of local schools and community organizations; any existing or proposed ordinances encouraging energy efficiency and conservation, recycling efforts, and energy efficient building code provisions and enforcement; and the organization of an energy day observance and proclamation with a commemorating event and awards ceremony for leading energy efficient community businesses, groups, schools, or individuals.

The bill provides that the department shall establish designation criteria by rule, and shall identify and publicize state grant and loan programs relating to energy efficiency. Additionally, the department is directed to develop a procedure for coordinating with other state agencies preferences given in the awarding of grants or making of loans to energy city designated applicants.

This seems like a cheap and easy way to promote energy efficieny in our communties. It seems pretty similar to the Main Street Iowa program. It would be a great step in helping Iowa become the energy capital of world.

Young Candidates Ready to Take Office

One topic that I have written a lot about is how to stop brain drain and keep young Iowans in Iowa. After the November elections, one answer might be to have them run for office. From the Gazette Online (which requires a subscription, so no link)...

Young freshman welcomed into Iowa Legislature: This year, voters elected eight state representatives who are 30 or younger. According to party officials, that includes Republicans Pat Grassley of New Hartford, Steve Lukan of New Vienna and Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley, and Democrats McKinley Bailey of Webster City, Andrew Wenthe of Hawkeye, Tyler Olson of Cedar Rapids, Elesha Gayman of Davenport and Ray Zirkelbach of Anamosa. Some of these young legislators left Iowa to pursue opportunities out of state, but returned because of the people and quality of life.

Congratulations on these 8 for winning and it is good to get some new perspectives out there.