Iowa

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 27, 2008 -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Iowa to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on May 25, 2008, and continuing.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Butler County.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's major disaster declaration issued for Iowa.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:

* Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)    » read more »

Governor Aims to Make Iowa “Healthiest State in the Nation”

May 13, 2008 -- (DES MOINES) – Today, joined by Lt. Governor Patty Judge at the Primary Health Care Center in Des Moines, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed into law major health care reform legislation and appropriations.

Governor Culver devoted a significant portion of his Condition of the State Address in January to the issue of health care, urging the legislature to “take up the challenge of making health care affordable and accessible to all Iowans.”

The legislature delivered on many of the Governor’s key priorities, which he signed into law today. These priorities include House File 2539, which:

* Covers young adults through the age of 25 on their parents insurance;    » read more »

Bill in response to the death of Charles Lovelady eight years ago at a Des Moines nightclub

May 12, 2008 -- (DES MOINES) – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed House File 901, legislation that creates a pilot project in Polk County that requires at least one person trained in special security techniques at Iowa bars and nightclubs. The training would cover techniques for safely removing people, de-escalation, use of force, anger management, civil rights, and the recognition of fake IDs.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- DES MOINES – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation that creates the Iowa Commission on Native American Affairs. Housed in the Department of Human Rights, the commission will focus on the issues facing Iowa’s Native American community. The creation of the Commission was proposed in one of the Governor’s bills filed by the Governor in January.    » read more »

Governor signs two bills brought forward by West Branch Middle School Students

May 12, 2008 -- (Des Moines) – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed two bills into law brought forward by West Branch Middle School Science teacher Hector Ibarra and his students who were looking at ways to take hazardous materials out of landfills and the environment. House File 2668 focuses on recycling used oil filters and House File 2669 addresses recycling mercury thermometers.    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- DES MOINES – Today at the State Capitol, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed legislation to expand infrastructure and access to Iowa renewable fuels.

House File 2689 makes changes to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program that was created in 2006 to expand renewable fuel infrastructure and access to renewable fuels all across Iowa. Specifically, this legislation makes the following key changes to the 2006 program:

* Renewable fuels infrastructure funding is expanded to include blender pumps (pumps that blend ethanol at difference percentages than E-10 or E85);    » read more »

May 9, 2008 -- FORT MADISON – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 2432, the Rebuild Iowa’s Infrastructure Fund Bill, which will provide $20 million for the Iowa Veterans Home.

“The Iowa Veterans Home is a symbol of our commitment to our servicemen and women and their families,” said Governor Culver. “I am proud to sign this legislation and renew our commitment to our veterans. These dollars will turn this facility into one of the best in the nation and give our veterans a home befitting their service to Iowa and the United States .”    » read more »

Chicago, IL - Last week, United States Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) endorsed Barack Obama for president, citing his ability to transcend the politics of fear and division and bring record numbers of people into the process.

Congressman Braley said, "It's hard not to be excited about Barack Obama.

Wiser Older Women for Barack Obama: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)    » read more »

April 28, 2008 - Des Moines -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver has declared Bremer, Blackhawk and Louisa Counties as disaster areas following heavy rains, which have pushed rivers and streams over their banks. This action allowed state assets to help move pumps and sandbags provided by the Army Corps of Engineers to aid local responses.    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- DES MOINES – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 2420, which will secure new funding for Iowa ’s transportation system.

“As Governor, one of my top priorities has been to build on Iowa ’s strengths in education, manufacturing and agriculture and financial services to create jobs in every corner of the state,” said Governor Culver.

Iowa highway: Photo by VideoVik (CC)

“The good news is the jobs are coming, but we must have the infrastructure in place to keep pace and grow our economy. Today, we’re taking another essential step toward doing just that.”    » read more »

In U.S. women, on average, earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men

April 21, 2008 -- Des Moines – Rachel Scott, division administrator of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, and Elisabeth Buck, director of Iowa Workforce Development, will recognize Equal Pay Day at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22 in the Kennedy Conference Room of the Iowa State Capitol with a Governor’s Proclamation and press conference.    » read more »

Trinity Facility to Bring 140 New Jobs to Newton, IA

April 17, 2008 -- Newton, IA – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver, Newton city officials and Trinity Structural Towers, Inc. (TSTI) announced plans to build a world-class wind turbine production facility in Newton, creating 140 new, high-quality, green-collar jobs. Production could start as early as the beginning of next year.

Wid turbine crop circle, Iowa: An image of a windmill is made into a crop formation by Greenpeace and Iowa Farmers Union. The groups partnered with others to call on Congress to look to Iowa for solutions to global warming like wind power. Photo by B.G. Johnson (CC)    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- Des Moines – Today, at the John R. Grubb YMCA in Des Moines, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed into law HF 2393, a bill requiring a “Minority Impact Statement” for any legislation related to a public offense, sentencing, or parole and probation procedures. The legislation also requires that any application for a grant from a state agency must also include a minority impact statement.    » read more »

Legislation will ban smoking in public places after July 1st

April 15, 2008 -- Iowa Governor Culver signs the Smoke Free Air Act into law.DES MOINES – Today, Governor Chet Culver signed House File 2212 – the Smoke Free Air Act -- into law, making Iowa the 14th state in the nation to pass a statewide smoking ban that includes restaurants, bars and workplaces.    » read more »