Press Release Archive

Monday, February 2, 2009

 

Governor Culver Signs $56 Million Rebuild Iowa Bill

Builds upon $1.5 billion already secured for disaster recovery efforts

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver continued his work of helping communities recover from the disasters of 2008 by signing the Rebuild Iowa Bill into law. The $56 million included in this legislation will be added to the nearly $1.5 billion in state and federal funds secured for Iowa’s disaster recovery efforts.  In addition, Governor Culver signed Senate File 44, which will allow communities affected by last summer’s storms the option of raising additional funds for disaster relief.

“As Governor and as an Iowan, I am proud to sign the Rebuild Iowa bill, the first bill of the 2009 Legislative session,” said Governor Culver.  “This bill passed the Legislature unanimously, and I commend legislative leadership and the members of the general assembly for their hard work and commitment.  I have repeatedly said that this must be the first of many steps we will take together this legislative session, in our common goal of helping rebuild the state we love. I look forward to working with the legislature in addressing the remaining recommendations of the Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission, and continuing to put our state on the long road to recovery.”

During his Condition of the State Address, Governor Culver called on the Legislature to take immediate action on disaster relief legislation. The Legislature approved the legislation unanimously in both chambers – 98-0 in the Iowa House and 49-0 in the Iowa Senate.

House File 64 allocates $56 million from the state’s reserve accounts.  The funds will be used for the following:

  • $24 million to expand the Jumpstart Housing Assistance Program to eligible Iowans with a family income equal to or less than 150% of area median income, which will allow more Iowans access to the program.
  • $22 million for grants to cities and counties based on their storm damage costs. The funds will be available for assistance to nonprofit organizations; public purchase of land and accompanying structures; repair, replacement or upgrade of public infrastructure damaged by disaster; increased costs associated with revaluing property due to natural disaster; small business assistance; and assistance for replacing or rehabilitating housing.
  • $10 million to provide individual disaster grants for unmet needs.  The funds will be allocated through the Department of Human Services, and will provide up to $2,500 for unreimbursed expenses for personal property, home repair, food assistance, mental health assistance, child care, and temporary housing incurred as a result of last year’s disasters. The case management program established by the Rebuild Iowa Office will assist long-term disaster committees in determining eligibility and certification of unmet needs, and help to ensure that the grants are non-duplicative. A system will be authorized to ensure sufficient data collection to discourage and prevent fraud.

In addition, the bill formally establishes in Iowa Code the Rebuild Iowa Office.  The office was established by Governor Culver through an Executive Order immediately following the flooding of 2008 to help address the massive work of rebuilding.  This bill makes the office an official agency of state government through June 30, 2011.

During the ceremony today, the Governor was joined by Lt. Governor Patty Judge, as well as lawmakers from both parties, local officials from disaster affected communities, and Iowans impacted by the floods and storms.

Lt. Governor Judge praised the bi-partisan efforts of both legislative chambers in passing this legislation.

“While it is easy for issues to become caught up in partisanship, House File 64 demonstrates that flood recovery breaks through party lines,” said the Lt. Governor.  “This bill passed the legislature and was sent to the Governor’s desk without a single dissenting vote.  This is just one more sign that 8 months after the disasters, Iowans are as committed as ever to rebuilding this state stronger and better than before.”

Also today, Governor Culver signed Senate File 44.  This legislation allows counties that were declared presidential disaster areas the ability to move up special election dates to seek a one-cent increase in the local option sales tax. Residents could vote as soon as March, with collection of the revenue beginning as soon as April 1; the current law would have begun revenue collection on January 1. In addition, if the local option fails in a community where it is approved county-wide, the community will not receive the additional sales tax revenue. The legislation is designed to provide communities impacted by last summer’s storms the opportunity to decide locally whether to use the option of additional sales tax revenue to assist with disaster recovery.  This law only applies to communities that do not already have a 7% sales tax.