FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION

State Senator Rob Hogg, 319-247-0223

LEGISLATORS OUTLINE DISASTER RECOVERY SUCCESSES

TOTAL STATE INVESTMENT IN RECOVERY NEARS $500 MILLION

CEDAR RAPIDS – Legislative Democrats from the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor outlined legislative successes for disaster recovery Wednesday at Sokol Park in Czech Village in Cedar Rapids.

“Disaster recovery was our top priority when we began the legislative session, and it remained our top priority throughout the session,” said Tyler Olson, state representative from Cedar Rapids.  “We changed policies and provided resources with a single goal in mind:  rebuilding Iowa better than before.”

“Working with Governor Culver, Democrats in the Legislature acted decisively to rebuild our state stronger, safer, and smarter after the disasters of 2008,” said Bob Dvorsky, state senator from Coralville.

“We are particularly pleased that we were able to provide funds dedicated to rebuilding the University of Iowa and the City of Cedar Rapids,” said Rob Hogg, state senator from Cedar Rapids.  “All total, the Legislature committed more than $400 million toward disaster recovery and disaster prevention this year.  Combined with Governor Culver’s original Jump Start initiative and the state’s costs for disaster response, state government has now invested nearly $500 million in disaster recovery.”

Some investments in disaster recovery include (complete list below):

• $29 million to expand Jump Start Housing program (HF64 & SF376)
• $15 million in tax credits for qualifying multi-family housing (SF457)
• $45 million for targeted disaster recovery projects in Cedar Rapids (SF376)
• $118.5 million in competitive grants for disaster recovery and prevention awarded by the new I-JOBS board (SF376)
• $50 million in tax credits over three years for the renovation of disaster-affected historic buildings (SF481)
• $22 million for community disaster grants (HF64)
• $100 million over six years to match FEMA assistance for rebuilding the University of Iowa (SF474)
• $1.3 million to establish flood center at University of Iowa for research, education, training, forecasts, modeling, and prevention of flood damage (HF822)
• $400,000 to DNR for stream gages for tracking and predicting floods (HF822)
• $1.6 million for DNR to revitalize floodplain management program (HF822)
• $11.5 million to repair damaged soil conservation practices (SF376)

In addition, the Legislature made significant policy changes to aid disaster recovery, giving disaster-affected cities, counties, and schools more regulatory flexibility in their rebuilding efforts.  Some of the specific disaster policy changes included:

• Authorize cities to establish disaster revitalization zones which require flood mitigation plans and cap property tax valuations for up to five years (SF457)
• Authorize cities and counties to bond for disaster recovery over 30 years (SF457)
• Authorize cities expedited authority to take title to abandoned properties to help flood-affected homeowners and businesses (SF415)
• Allow waivers for disaster-affected cities applying for state CAT grants (SF336)
• Shorten loan forgiveness period for Jump Start from 10 to 5 years (SF289)
• Direct water resources council to assess flood mitigation policies (HF756)
• Require cities to participate in National Flood Insurance Program (HF759)
• Develop standards for community safe rooms and storm shelters (HF705)
• Regulatory flexibility for school districts recovering from disasters (SF81)
• Expedited local option sales tax vote for Linn and Johnson Counties (SF44)

“With these bills, the state has demonstrated its willingness to be a partner with the private sector, nonprofits, local government, and the federal government in disaster recovery,” Hogg said.  “I know we have a lot more to do, especially for buyouts and flood protection.  On those issues, we really need the federal government's help.  But working together, I know we can make Iowa even better.”

INVESTMENT IN DISASTER RECOVERY AND PREVENTION

Original state Jump Start program (HF414)                                                              $40 million

Performance of duty costs (SF478)                                                                       $25.6 million

Expand Jump Start housing program (HF64)                                                            $24 million

Supplemental disaster housing grant program (SF376)                                                $5 million

Housing tax credits for qualifying multi-family housing (SF457)                                  $15 million

Community disaster grants (HF64)                                                                           $22 million

Individual unmet needs assistance (HF64)                                                                 $10 million

Targeted disaster recovery in Cedar Rapids (SF376)                                                $45 million

Ø      $5 million for steam replacement assistance

Ø      $10 million for new human service building for displaced nonprofits

Ø      $10 million for National Czech & Slovak Museum

Ø      $5 million to replace or repair Options of Linn County

Ø      $5 million toward replacement of Cedar Rapids Public Library

Ø      $5 million for recovery and renovation of Paramount Theater

Ø      $5 million to repair or replace Cedar Rapids Public Works

Competitive grants for disaster recovery and prevention (SF376)                         $118.5 million

University of Iowa flood recovery plan (SF474)                                                      $100 million

Business loan and credit guarantee fund – loans up to $25,000 (SF478)                   $1.8 million

Historic tax credits for disaster-affected historic buildings (SF481)                            $50 million

Railroad bridge replacement in Waterloo (HF822)                                                      $1 million

Fire station in Palo (SF376)                                                                                     $0.5 million

Fire station in Charles City (SF376)                                                                         $0.5 million

Fire station in Elkader (SF376)                                                                                $0.5 million

Repair damaged soil conservation practices (SF376)                                             $11.5 million

University of Iowa flood center (HF822)                                                                 $1.3 million

DNR stream gages (HF822)                                                                                   $0.4 million

DNR floodplain management program (HF822)                                                       $1.6 million

DNR flood mitigation and emergency watershed program (SF376)                        $13.5 million

TOTAL OF LISTED INVESTMENTS                                                         $487.7 million