It's "Funnel" week in Des Moines...
By all appearances, the approaching legislative storm is going to inflict even more damage upon Iowa's disaster victims, especially small business owners.
It's been 280 days since the flood today. There's already great fury over the many lost opportunities to support flood-disaster recovery here in Iowa. Democrats proposed $275 million dollars in new spending yesterday and if you're a disaster-affected small business owner, consider yourself "slapped in the face" with virtually zero dollars targeted for job creation and business recovery.
As I write this post, I am "handcuffed" as the General Assembly Web site, where I would usually access the language to HSB 271 is somehow "locked up" and not functioning. Surely this is just a coincidence? Bear with me, I'll stab away at this by memory and some notes...
In Cedar Rapids specifically, major industries and small businesses alike are effectively "handcuffed" to astronomically higher utility rates with STEAM having emerged as a major piece of the rebuilding puzzle. There's not enough steam in this bill to make yourself a cup of tea...the saga of despair continues.
The U.S. Department of Labor has estimated 7500 jobs are at risk in Cedar Rapids if there isn't targeted, specific funds to rebuild the damage to small businesses and infrastructure. For a city that is already in high financial distress, losing this employment and tax base may effectively become the "death sentence" if dynamic leadership fails to emerge.
House Study Bill 271 targets 5 million dollars for daycare relocation assistance, 5 million dollars for green space and recreational trail development and a whopping 15 million for cultural and historical restoration. Adding more bureaucratic loopholes to an already constipated process, there are provisions attached to each spending measure that require a 70-30% funding formula. For each .70 cents of support, this legislation requires .30 cents of local funding. (Cost share contribution) For those who supported the L.O.S.T. vote in Linn County, realize those funds are already appropriated to residential buyouts and property tax relief...there is no "new" money available to use for a matching component.
To be fair, I noted there is money allocated for a serious "Flood Prevention" initiative. I agree this is a component of long term recovery for eastern Iowa. Politics is "perception" however and I can't imagine the "rage" that will occur as flood victims sense our government has already forgotten them and moved on to the future. You might use the analogy, "getting swept under the recovery carpet!"
Is this the most thoughtful, prepared flood relief bill our Democrat legislators can produce after 9 months?
Remember, there was no input from Republicans on this bill, and when asked to add amendments, I'm aware of only one by Representative Renee Schulte (Cedar Rapids) to allow for local Non-Profit agencies to rebuild under one roof. All other amendments, especially those which specifically pertained to small business recovery and JOBS, have been summarily rejected by leadership.
My response to this legislative debacle...It's time for Iowan's to "Muck Out" the statehouse!
As Matt Drudge says it best......DEVELOPING!
Great information, disaster victims deserve all the help that the government can provide.
By the way that is an amazing picture.
Greetings
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