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TOPICS
Town hall meeting on government savings & efficiencies
Tough decisions on education & state government can make Iowa
stronger
Good news for Des Moines
Items of interest
Wednesday, November 18
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Des Moines Public Central Library
1000 Grand Avenue
Please join me for a town hall meeting on making state government
more efficient and lean. I'd like to hear your ideas, which could be
considered during the 2010 legislative session.
Based on projections that the Legislature must cut an additional
$750 million to $1 billion from the state budget, I'm looking for
smart ways to create significant savings while protecting essential
services.
A couple proposals I'm working on are reducing the number of public
school superintendents and taking a more regional approach to
providing local government services.
I look forward to getting your input on Wednesday!
In spite of the best revenue estimates of state budget experts, Iowa
is being hit harder than expected by the national recession.
Many in our communities have lost their jobs. Families are
struggling to make ends meet. Everybody is cutting back — and that
goes for state government, too.
Plans for most state agencies and departments to implement the
10-percent across-the-board cuts have been approved.
In order to keep the current year’s state budget balanced, we’ll see
furloughs and layoffs across state government, vacant positions left
unfilled, and cuts to programs and services. At the same time, every
effort will be made to protect public safety and services to
children and vulnerable adults. For more details, go to
www.governor.iowa.gov/index.php/static/budget/.
In the Legislature, we’ve cut 10 percent from our operating budget
for the current fiscal year. We’re now turning our attention to
preparing the budget for Fiscal Year 2011, which we’ll approve
during the 2010 legislative session.
As many of you know, I’m looking for ways to make Iowa’s school
districts more cost-effective. Administration costs have risen
sharply, despite student enrollment declining more than 30 percent
since the mid-1970s.
When session starts up in January, I’ll propose legislation to
reduce the number of school superintendents to one per county. Fewer
superintendents—plus fewer central school district offices and
staff—could save Iowa more than $60 million annually.
We can lead the way right here in Polk County by having one
superintendent oversee the county’s 16 school districts.
I’ve been talking with a lot of folks from across the state about my
proposal. I recently paid visits to several Iowa school districts,
including Twin Cedars Community School District in rural Marion
County where I met with Superintendent Brian VanderSluis. We
discussed my consolidation proposal, his school district and a
variety of ways to save money.
I want Iowa to maintain the best possible schools for our students,
both rural and urban. By finding cost savings, we can limit the need
for increased property taxes, maintain smaller class sizes and keep
teachers working on the frontline with students.
The process of making our school districts—and all of state
government—more cost-effective won't be painless, but it's what we
have to do to continue to be fiscally responsible and make sure
Iowa’s economy rebounds as quickly as possible.
Your continued input is needed as we move forward with tough budget
decisions.
Please contact me with your ideas for improving state government.
You can also submit your ideas online and read the suggestions of
other Iowans at
www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/SurveyForm/Improving_StGvt/.
Des Moines organizations receive environmental grants
On October 20, the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission approved
funding for a two Des Moines projects to reduce diesel exhaust. The
money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
* TMC Transportation was awarded $680,500 to install auxiliary power
units on 100 flatbed trucks to reduce idling.
* Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority will receive $210,728
to acquire rebuilt engines for nine buses and new engines for three
other buses to meet more stringent emissions standards.
* Johnsrud Transport of Des Moines was approved for $4,875 to
install direct fired heaters on five semi-tractors to reduce idling.
These organizations were selected for the grant based on projected
emissions reductions, cost-effectiveness, percentage of match
funding, and the location where emissions will be reduced. Learn
more at
www.iowadnr.gov/air/RIDE/index.html.
$2 million in disaster aid to Des Moines Water Works
More than $2 million in federal and state funds will go toward
disaster recovery efforts at Des Moines Water Works. The State and
FEMA have approved $2,096,940 for the Des Moines Water Works to
cover repairs to Well number 5 near the Raccoon River. FEMA will pay
90 percent of the cost, and the State will pay the remaining 10
percent. This will save the utility the local match of $314,541.
Housing assistance for Iowans in need
As part of the federal stimulus package, Iowa received $11 million
to help struggling Iowans afford rental housing. Iowa Rental Help
can assist with rent and utility payments for up to 18 months,
moving expenses, security deposits, rental deposits and more. For
further details, go to
www.IowaRentalHelp.com or call toll-free 877-386-9104.
Deadline approaching for energy grants
During the 2009 session, the Legislature established a new community
grant program as part of the Iowa Power Fund effort to make our
state more energy independent. Cities, counties and non-profit
organizations can apply for funding to promote energy efficiency and
renewable energy locally, train for or create energy industry jobs,
establish a community energy efficiency plan and more. For complete
details and a grant application, go to
www.energy.iowa.gov/Power_Fund/CommunityGrants.html.
Applications are due by November 20.
Do you know an outstanding volunteer?
Do you know a fellow Iowan who has made their community, the state,
the nation, or the world a better place through their volunteer
service? Consider nominating them for the Iowa Volunteer Hall of
Fame, the most prestigious state-level honor volunteers can
receive.
The nomination deadline is January 8. Materials are available at
www.volunteeriowa.org/halloffame.html. For more information,
call the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service at 1-800-308-5987 or
e-mail them at
icvs@iowalifechanging.com.
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