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I met recently with the Iowa’s Director of Corrections to discuss
the budget and other issues of interest. This next session will demand tough
budgeting decisions. Just as Iowans are tightening their belts a couple of
notches, the state will need to do the same and more.
I believe education, health care, economic growth,
renewable energy and public safety will remain priorities, but some programs
may not see funding at levels they’d expect in good economic times.
I will be meeting soon with my Senate colleagues to
discuss the next legislative session. I am getting a few bills ready to go
for 2009, including one for a tax credit for volunteer emergency
providers. I’ll keep you posted on our
progress and priorities, as we prepare to return to the Statehouse in
January.
Happy Thanksgiving!
And thank you again for electing me to serve another 4-year term.
Last session, the Legislature allocated $1 million to
provide grants to can and bottle redemption centers, which are struggling to
keep their doors, open amid increasing costs.
The grants were recently awarded through the Iowa DNR and
will help redemption centers improve their facilities and services to the
public. Here are the local recipients:
* Dyersville
Redemption Center:
$12,482.56
* Can Do Redemption
Center Manchester:
3,540.50
* Advancement Services of Jones
County in Monticello: $13,485
* Center Redemption in Dubuque: $12,720
Redemption centers provide a basic service to Iowans and
are vital to the success of the state’s bottle bill by promoting recycling,
preventing litter and conserving energy.
I will continue to look for ways to achieve these important goals.
On November 17, the bipartisan Rebuild Iowa Advisory
Commission submitted its 120-day report to Governor Culver.
The report provides 12 recommendations for the long-term
recovery and rebuilding of Iowa
communities:
- Provide
individual services and guidance
- Make
housing a priority
- Provide
incentives for Iowa’s
struggling small businesses, micro-enterprises, and non-profits
- Invest
in infrastructure
- Create
sustainable funding options for local and state rebuilding efforts
- Invest
in local emergency management agencies for the central coordination
function and work in all areas of emergency management
- Enact
policies to make communities sustainable, while protecting Iowa’s quality of
life and cultural heritage
- Lead
and support integrated, regional recovery planning
- Enact
policies that address floodplain and watershed management
- Complete
floodplain mapping for the entire state
- Formalize
the Rebuild Iowa Office and recovery responsibilities
- Lead
communications efforts to educate Iowans on recovery and planning for
future potential disasters
It will be up to the Legislature to address these issues,
and we intend to give careful consideration to all of the Commission’s recommendations
by establishing a new standing committee dedicated to rebuilding a safer,
stronger and smarter Iowa.
The complete report is available at www.rio.iowa.gov/assets/RIO_120_DAY_REPORT.pdf.
This year the Legislature took several steps to make life
easier for Iowa
consumers.
Dealing with insurance issues can be difficult and frustrating. That’s why we established a new state
agency to help consumers. The new Consumer Advocate within the Iowa Insurance
Division has a single, focused mission: protecting Iowa consumers and resolving problems.
This one-stop shop offers assistance on all types of
insurance issues, including health, life, long-term care and property
insurance. Advocates answer questions
and work with you to resolve problems with insurance providers. If legal action is appropriate, cases are
referred to the Iowa Attorney General.
By tracking consumers’ complaints and questions, officials
will recognize problems early on and take action to solve them. For more information or to file a
complaint, call the Iowa Insurance Division toll-free at 877-955-1212 or
go online to www.iid.state.ia.us.
A “security freeze” may help you prevent identity theft
and strengthen your financial security.
Such a freeze prevents potential creditors and other third parties
from accessing your credit report without your approval.
Requesting a freeze is free to Iowans who have been
victims of identity theft. All others must pay $10 to each of the three major
credit-reporting agencies. The freeze
stays in place until you ask that it be lifted.
For more details on obtaining a security freeze, visit the
Iowa Attorney General’s Web site at http://xurl.jp/7ob.
New measures target scam artists who prey Iowa families facing
home foreclosure. Foreclosure
consultants offer to stop or delay foreclosures for a fee. Because of past abuses, this industry is
now under state regulation and consultants are banned from accepting fees or
payments until all services are performed.
They also are prohibited from trying to stop borrowers from accessing
consumer help, such as a lending institution, financial service or government
agency.
In addition, the new law limits how much foreclosure
consultants can charge a homeowner, prohibits them from accepting third-party
payment for services unless disclosed to the homeowner, and forbids
persuading an owner to enter into a contract not in compliance with the new
requirements.
The State also established the Iowa Mortgage Help Hotline
at toll-free 877-622-4866. When calling, you should be prepared to
provide full financial information, which will be kept confidential, so the
Hotline can help you find the best solution to your mortgage problems. To learn more, go to www.IowaMortgageHelp.com.
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