November 9, 2009
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It is an honor to serve as your State Representative. The 2009 Legislative Session is over and I'm proud of the progress we made helping middle class families. We balanced the state budget, helped Iowans rebuild from the devastating floods and storms in 2008, and created good-paying jobs in key industries like renewable energy. During the interim, you will be receiving this newsletter every other week.
If you have any friends who are not on the list encourage them to subscribe here. Please contact me with any of your questions or concerns.
I look forward to serving you.
Capitol Comments
Veteran’s Day is November 11. This day provides Americans with an important opportunity to pay tribute to the brave men and women serving our great nation here at home and around the world. The sacrifices made by our service members and their families should be recognized not only on this day, but every day that they selflessly serve to protect our country. I encourage all citizens of District 18 to participate in one of the Veteran’s Day ceremonies held in our communities this week.
As older Iowans remember, Veteran’s Day was originally called Armistice Day and celebrated the end of World War I. The peace treaty for that war was not signed until June 28, 1919. However, a cessation of fighting, or armistice, began seven months earlier at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In other words, November 11.
One day, however, can not adequately repay the 265,000 veterans living in Iowa. The Iowa Legislature has enacted a number of programs to help those who have served our country. This past session was no exception.
We extended in-state tuition for undergraduate study at one of Iowa’s community colleges or state universities to veterans who move into the state and are eligible for benefits under, or have exhausted the benefits of, the federal Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The in-state rates apply to their spouses and dependents.
We require nursing homes to help residents, who are identified upon admission, as eligible for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs will work with these residents in identifying individuals who are eligible for the VA prescription drug benefits.
We provided $22.6 million of matching funds for construction and other improvements associated with the Iowa Veterans Home master plan. This will provide the State’s total match needed for Phases 2, 3, and 4 of construction and renovation of the facilities at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. The Veterans Home master plan is projected to cost $100 million in total.
Locally, I worked to secure funding out of the Statewide Modernization Agenda to help with an improvement project for Oelwein’s National Guard Armory. $900,000 was allocated to the Oelwein armory as part of an effort to update readiness centers for Iowa’s National Guard.
In 2008, the Legislature directed the Iowa Lottery to create two additional scratch and two additional pull-tab games annually with the profits going to the Veterans Trust Fund. After its first year, this new initiative to expand services for veterans and their families has already raised $2.8 million. These funds are not affected by Governor Culver’s 10% across-the-board budget cuts.
As always, one of my top priorities during the 2010 Legislative session will be to continue to do all I can to take care of our veterans, who have honorably served, and are currently serving, our country.
Figures Show Over 5,300 Jobs Saved or Created
After making updates and adjustments to the data required under the Federal Recovery and Re-investment Act (ARRA), it was determined that 5,323 jobs were created or retain in Iowa. These jobs were reported for ARRA fund expenditures made through the end of September.
The most significant number of jobs created or saved is related to the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF), which created or saved 2,275 jobs in school districts throughout Iowa. Funding for highway transportation projects created or saved 1,326 jobs. Read More
Rental Help Available for Iowans
As part of the federal economic recovery program, Iowa has received $11 million to help qualified Iowa renters pay their rental and utility bills. To qualify, you must be at risk of homelessness and your income must be at or below 50% of the local area median income, although in some areas of the state, the criterion is stricter.
The program, called Iowa Rental Help, can help current renters, and families and homeowners who are moving into rental properties. The homeless are also eligible for help. The goal is to help recipients gain stability and adequate housing. Read More
IPERS Advisory Committee Makes Recommendations
The Benefits Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) has agreed on recommendations to the Legislature to deal with the long-term funding concerns facing the system. One recommendation is to increase the combined employer/employee contribution rate.
In making these recommendations, some members of committee stated their belief that the responsibility of BAC is to make recommendations that protect the fiscal integrity of the fund, while others expressed concern that an increase will cause budget problems for state, county, and city employers. Read More
andrew.wenthe@legis.state.ia.us
PO Box 123
Hawkeye, IA 52147
563-427-4831 (Home) 515-281-3221 (Capitol)
http://www.andrewwenthe.org
Job Training Study Committee Meets
Board of Regents Approves Cuts and Surcharges
Affordable Housing Assistance Provided to Communities
$1.6 Million Available for Water Quality Projects
Farmers Frustrated by Wet Weather
Low-Income Energy Assistance Grants
Road Construction Employment Increased
November is Family Caregiver Month
Potential Gaps in Iowa’s Criminal Code Identified
Getting Ready for Winter Driving Conditions
DNR Provides Customized Training for Disabled Employees
Iowa Businesses Will Continue to Receive Services
Iowa’s Research Facilities Provide Business Successes