Progressive Democrat Issue 107: IOWA FOCUS

Here is an update on what's going on with the Iowa Democratic Party:

Culver proposes big bump for schools (Des Moines Register)

...The governor's proposal for more than $200 million in new spending for education programs would mean new college scholarships, more money for preschool programs, and higher salaries for teachers and college faculty.

"I am just totally thrilled by the governor's aggressive agenda," said Rep. Mary Mascher, a Democrat from Iowa City. "Education is definitely his number one. It's his focus. It's what he campaigned on."

With a Democratic majority in the Iowa General Assembly, "I think the chances are that about 99 percent of these things will become a reality," Mascher said...

One of Culver's priorities is to bring teacher pay from 40th in the nation to 25th. He said his proposed $70 million appropriation for salary increases in fiscal year 2008 would be the largest single increase in teacher pay ever made in the state...

Salaries for K-12 teachers in the 2007-08 school year would go up roughly $2,900 per teacher. "That's still about $5,000 below this year's national average," Schlapkohl said, "but it sure gets us closer..."

Highlights of Culver's plan for Iowa's schools:

PRESCHOOL: Place more certified teachers in the early childhood education classrooms and reduce waiting lists until all 4-year-olds have access to quality preschool. Proposed new spending: $20 million, with increases over four years.

TEACHER SALARIES: Boost teacher salaries to the national average. Proposed new spending: $70 million.

CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION: Improve the quality of classroom instruction. Proposed new spending: $95 million for the 2007-08 budget year, based on a 4 percent increase in per-pupil spending.

ADVANCED HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES: Offer more courses that are at the level of the first year of college. Called the Senior Year Plus program, it would allow every senior to earn up to a year of college credit, saving families future college tuition expenses. Now, only half have access to any college credit, Culver said. Proposed new spending: $300,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $3 million in fiscal year 2009.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES: Update them so they can train Iowa's work force for jobs in renewable energy, alternative fuels and other fields. Proposed new spending: $12.4 million.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PUBLIC COLLEGES: As many as 5,000 high school graduates, based on financial need, would get up to $2,500 for up to two years at an Iowa community college or $5,000 for up to one year of college at Iowa State University, the University of Iowa or the University of Northern Iowa. It would be called the All-Iowa Oppotunity program. Proposed new spending: $5 million in fiscal year 2008 and then $25 million in fiscal year 2009.

HIGHER EDUCATION: More money for the three regents universities. Proposed new spending: $25 million.

STEM CELL RESEARCH CENTER: Create the Iowa Center for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Iowa. Proposed new spending: $12.5 million.Gov. Chet Culver, as anticipated, made a splash Tuesday with his proposals for revving up Iowa's renewable energy industry by seeking an immediate $25 million down payment on his proposed $100 million Iowa Power Fund.

$25 million sought to start energy plan (Des Moines Register)

Gov. Chet Culver, as anticipated, made a splash Tuesday with his proposals for revving up Iowa's renewable energy industry by seeking an immediate $25 million down payment on his proposed $100 million Iowa Power Fund...

The Democrat's renewable energy proposals include:

- Creating the $100 million Iowa Power Fund over four years to help energy businesses get started or expand. The first installment of $25 million would come in the current budget year as a supplemental appropriation from the Legislature.

- Overhauling utility regulations, including the adoption of higher renewable power standards aimed at giving market access to independent generators of electricity.

- Setting up an alternative fuel vehicle tax credit equal to 20 percent of the credit allowed on federal tax returns.

- Establishing the new post of director of renewable energy...

Culver encourages passenger rail efforts (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

..A proposal to revive passenger rail service over the CRANDIC route between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City has ‘‘incredible potential,’’ and Cedar Rapids could receive additional state aid to counter the loss of revenue if its transit system stops charging fares.

‘‘I don’t think that’s a crazy idea,’’ Culver said of the fare proposal during a meeting Thursday with The Gazette’s Editorial Board. ‘‘You were one of the first to move to biodiesel for your buses. Why not look at other ways you can stay out there and be a model?’’

Culver mentioned the CRANDIC plan as a potential way to get motorists out of their cars in the Interstate 380 corridor. A consultant estimated in December the restoration of downtown-to-downtown service would take $70 million..."

Education, alternative energy and transportation alternatives. Pretty cool!

And this is what Iowa's newest Congressman is up to:

OIL COMPANIES POST RECORD HIGH PROFITS, AS REP. LOEBSACK FIGHTS TO BRING RENEWABLE ENERGY TO THE MARKET PLACE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a time when our country's natural gas and oil companies are posting record breaking profits while hard working people are finding it increasingly difficult to fill up their gas tanks, Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Mt. Vernon) believes we must work loosen the tight grip the oil industry has on our economy through increased exploration of renewable energy sources. Last month Congressman Loebsack voted for H.R. 6, the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007, which in addition to closing tax loopholes and rolling back tax breaks for oil companies, will foster job creation in Iowa through greater investment in renewable energy

"Hard working people in Iowa and across the country struggled to keep their gas tanks full this year because of record high gas prices at the pump, while oil giants like Exxon Mobil Corp. and ConocoPhillips posted record breaking profits this week, $39.5 billion and $15.5 billion respectively," said the Congressman. "The American people have been exploited by these companies, and I am proud to have supported legislation that will roll back tax breaks for these companies and close tax loopholes. Americans should not have to wait any longer for renewable energy technology to be introduced in to the mainstream market place. This is why I support increased federal investment in renewable energy sources."

Last Friday, Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Mt. Vernon) toured the Big River Resources ethanol plant in West Burlington and the Tri-City Energy Biodiesel plant in Keokuk to gain greater insight on renewable energy plant operations. Iowa is a leader in the development of renewable energy resources, including corn ethanol, bio-diesel fuel, cellulosic ethanol and switchgrass. .."

We have to remember that biodiesel has some of its own problems and is not a cure-all for America's energy woes. But, it can be PART of the solution and one that Iowa has every reason to explore. Dave Loebsack had been written off by the DCCC for winning the election against an incumbent Republican. I think we are very lucky that the grassroots rallied behind him giving him an upset victory.

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