Published: July 30, 2009 09:51 am      

Disaster update: One year later

As required by law, the Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO) issued its quarterly report on July 10.

This report presents a good picture of where the state has been and is going because of the weather related disasters of 2008. As noted previously, the 2008 floods in Iowa are listed as the fifth worst disaster in U.S. history.

To date, over $3 billion in federal and state funding has been allocated for disaster recovery.

Of that amount, almost $2 billion has already been approved for local and state use. The largest amount of federal funding, almost $800 million, has come in the form of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). The report indicates that percentage-wise Iowa has succeeded in getting more money out for disaster recovery in the past 12 months than Texas has done in the past 33 months since Hurricane Rita (September 2005.)

In addition, almost all of the first $35 million in state Jumpstart funds have been approved. About 89 percent of the $56 million approved by the Legislature in January has also been approved for local or state work.

The report does note, however, that many of the federal sources of funding were not created for disaster relief. As a result, they are difficult to administer and often do not meet the needs of disaster victims.

It has resulted in time-consuming checks, which although important, cause delays in getting assistance out to where it is needed. Iowa has been working with federal officials and agencies on changes to improve the system for all future disasters nationwide.

How do Iowans feel?

In the past few months, RIO has been surveying Iowans in disaster-affected communities.

Of the 200 surveys returned, 80 percent agree or strongly agree that Iowa is on the right track. Only 17 percent disagree or strongly disagree.

Property Acquisitions

Federal funding for property buyouts comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This process is one of the slowest but, as of the end of June, 23 property acquisition projects, totaling more the $43 million, have been approved. It is anticipated that eventually, over $100 million in acquisitions will be approved by FEMA. In addition, $200 million in CDBG funds will be used for property buyouts.

Progress on recovery effort

Iowa is one of 16 states the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is following to check expenditures on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).

The GAO released its second bi-monthly report to Congress earlier in July. The report notes Iowa is taking extra steps in making sure funds are spent in an appropriate manner by creating the Iowa Accountability and Transparency Board to provide an additional layer of oversight.

The report focused on eight federal programs where funds have been disbursed. Funds made available as a result of increased Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). As of June 29, 2009, Iowa has received about $136 million in increased FMAP grant awards, of which it has drawn down almost $127 million, or over 93 percent.

Highway infrastructure investment funds

On March 2, 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) apportioned almost $358 million in Recovery Act funds to Iowa. As of June 25, 2009, $319 million has been obligated for 165 highway projects. U.S. Department of Education State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) allocated about $472 million in to Iowa, of which $386 million is for education stabilization.

As of June 30, 2009, the Iowa Department of Education had disbursed $40 million of these funds to school districts.

Starting this fall, the Iowa Department of Education plans to use these funds to maintain spending for higher education at fiscal year 2009 levels, for fiscal year 2010, and for previously approved increases for grades K-12 for fiscal year 2010. The remaining funds will be used in fiscal year 2011.

Partnership announced for free job training

Gov. Chet Culver and Iowa Workforce Development (WFD) have announced the launching of the “Microsoft Elevate America” program in Iowa. The program is a public-private partnership with Microsoft. It will provide 5,700 vouchers through WFD for free technology training to help Iowa meet the demands of the 21st century economy. Additionally, “Microsoft Elevate America” provides unlimited access to a free online basic computer skill-training program.

The “Microsoft Elevate America” program was announced at the National Governor’s Conference in February.

The initiative will provide up to 1 million vouchers nationwide. Iowa is one of four states so far to take part in the program. Others include Washington, New York and Florida. With the future expansion of Microsoft in Iowa, and with IBM and Google already in the state, job training in computer skills will be important for Iowa’s workforce.



Maquoketa Democrat Tom Schueller is serving in the Iowa House of Representatives. He represents District 25, which covers all of Jackson County and part of Clinton and Dubuque counties.