Iowa

President Obama signs expansion of state and federal AmeriCorps into law; landmark act to honor Sen. Edward M. Kennedy

April 21, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver today commended President Obama for his signing of the “Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act,” which passed the Congress last month with overwhelming bipartisan support. Governor Culver was an early and vocal supporter of the act, which was first introduced in 2007.    » read more »

Calls on Legislature to pass IJOBS Plan to further recovery efforts

April 21, 2009 -- IOWA CITY – Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation today to help Iowa homeowners affected by last year’s flood. Senate File 289 reduces the amount of time, from 10 years to 5 years, state-funded Jumpstart Iowa recipients must stay in their homes before their entire Jumpstart loan is forgiven.    » read more »

April 17, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation today to help family members of police and fire fighters who die in the line-of-duty receive benefits.

“Every day, police officers and fire fighters across the state put the lives on the line in order to keep each one of us and our families safe,” said Governor Culver. “If they make the ultimate sacrifice for us, the least we can do is make it easier for their families to receive benefits.”    » read more »

April 15, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement tonight after Senate Republicans blocked the confirmation of three gubernatorial appointees in the past two days. Governor Culver had named Carrie LaSeur to serve on the Iowa Power Fund board, Shearon Elderkin to serve on the Environmental Protection Commission, and Eugene Gessow to serve as Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services. Senate Republicans took down the three appointees without providing specific information on why they would not support the nominees.

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR CULVER    » read more »

State, Entrepreneurs Working Together to Strengthen Iowa’s Economy

April 16, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver today announced awards from Iowa Department of Economic Development for entrepreneurial expansions in Adel, Elkader, and Le Mars and modernization of a wind energy plant in West Branch. Other requests approved today support training and networking to develop the skills of the Iowa workforce.

“I believe that even in a time of national economic challenges, Iowa is a great place to do business,” said Governor Culver. “These companies are leading the way with job retention and creation. Their success is a testament to the strength of the Iowa worker, and the spirit of Iowa entrepreneurs.”    » read more »

Phase I of proposed projects would link Chicago, St. Louis

April 14, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and the governors of seven other Midwestern states have joined in support of high-speed passenger rail projects to link cities in their region, with Chicago as the hub. The governors, along with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him to support plans that have been in place for several years for key rail corridors between cities in their states, including St. Louis to Chicago.    » read more »

Shell Rock, Dyersville, Marion receive funding through state’s RISE program

April 14, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced that the Iowa Transportation Commission has approved grants to three Eastern Iowa communities. Totaling more than $1.8 million, the grants come from the state’s Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) program and will be used for transportation infrastructure projects in the communities.    » read more »

Governor Signs Executive Order Creating Accountability and Transparency Board

April 14, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa is well-positioned to work its way out of the recession by making smart use of federal economic recovery funds and creating its own infrastructure program, Iowa Governor Culver said today. Governor Culver said the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and his I-JOBS proposal will work hand-in-hand to help strengthen Iowa’s economy.    » read more »

Housing Tax Credits Awarded to Projects in Three Iowa Communities

April 8, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced today that the state of Iowa will award more than $40 million in Housing Tax Credits to finance the construction of new affordable housing in Davenport, Des Moines and Waterloo.

“These awards mean that up to 257 Iowa families and individuals will have access to safe, decent and affordable housing in our state,” Governor Culver said. “What’s more, these awards will enable the construction of two new buildings and the rehabilitation of two more, generating and supporting good jobs. I congratulate the developers of these projects and I thank them for their efforts to create new housing and new employment opportunities in our state.”    » read more »

March 26, 2009 -- DES MOINES -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will allocate $10.1 million in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to three Iowa airports in Iowa City, Sioux City, and Waterloo.

“When the President and Congress passed the federal recovery package, they had one goal in mind: to move these dollars out the door and put people back to work,” said Governor Culver. “As this announcement shows, in Iowa we are working to make that goal a reality. This funding will provide much needed help to rehabilitate and renovate these three important facilities, and ensure that they continue to help grow our economy while putting Iowans back to work.”    » read more »

California, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina and Vermont to host regional forums to continue discussion about bringing down health care costs, expanding coverage for all Americans

March 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Building on Thursday’s White House Forum on Health Care Reform, President Obama announced a series of Regional White House Forums on Health Reform that will bring the conversation about health care reform directly to communities across the country. In keeping with the Obama administration’s commitment to a transparent, accountable government, the forums will be an opportunity for Americans from all over the country to voice their concerns and ideas about reforming our health care system.    » read more »

February 28, 2009 -- DES MOINES -- Tonight, Iowa Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement on the reported appointment by President Obama of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Statement From Governor Culver:

"President Obama has made an outstanding choice with his selection of my good friend and colleague Kathleen Sebelius as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. She is the right person at the right time.

Her years as Insurance Commissioner and then Governor of Kansas have given her the expertise needed to not only direct programs so many Americans rely upon during this difficult time - like Medicaid and Medicare, but play a leading role in health care reform.    » read more »

Two Bills Will Mean $63 Million in Additional Funds for Schools, Teachers

February 27, 2009 -- (DES MOINES) – While visiting a government class at Central Academy in Des Moines today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed two pieces of legislation to provide additional funding to education next year. The Governor also spoke about the impact President Obama's economic recovery plan will have on creating and retaining jobs as well as improving schools.    » read more »

Housing Tax Credits Aid Counties Impacted By Natural Disasters Of 2008

February 27, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced today that the state of Iowa will award more than $51 million in Housing Tax Credits to finance the construction of new affordable housing in Waukee, Ames and Keokuk. The awards were made with a special allocation of Housing Tax Credits that the state of Iowa received to assist counties impacted by last year’s historic storms and floods.    » read more »

Iowa Finance Authority Granted Prestigious Funds to Preserve Affordable Housing for Families, Seniors, and Persons with Disabilities in Rural Iowa Communities

February 26, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver today announced that the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) will receive a $2.4 million investment from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The funds will help ensure the preservation of rural affordable housing for an estimated 1,200 Iowa families, seniors and persons with disabilities that are at-risk of losing their homes. State and local governments in 40 states competed for MacArthur’s support, and Iowa was one of 12 recipients to receive funds and launch innovative projects to preserve affordable rental homes.    » read more »