Culver says special session likely in September
Posted: Friday, July 18, 2008
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Gov. Chet Culver told a special commission Thursday that it's "very likely" he'll call a special legislative session to deal with this summer's severe weather.
But Culver said he probably wouldn't hold the special session until he has received an initial assessment of damage recovery needs in early September.
"I believe there are significant issues that the Legislature will have to address," said Culver, speaking at the first meeting of a 15-member commission he appointed to oversee recovery efforts from this year's flooding and tornadoes.
Culver said he'd make a decision on a special session after the commission makes its initial assessment on Sept. 2.
"I do not think it will be before the commission completes its report, so that puts us in early September, more likely than an August date," said Culver.
Although Culver and top legislative leaders initially said state lawmakers needed to act to help the state recover, they more recently have stressed the need to convince the federal government to step in with an aid package.
Culver said any special session will have a limited agenda.
One option is for lawmakers to give state agencies more flexibility for spending emergency reserve funds on hand. Culver said legislators also could give more assistance to communities hardest hit by the flooding to keep them operating until the regular legislative session begins in January.
Culver said his timeline for a special session could change.
"If this commission determines there's more immediacy and urgency in terms of having the Legislature taking significant steps, we leave open that possibility," Culver said.
National Guard Adjutant General Ron Dardis heads the special commission, and he said the initial focus will be narrow.
"We're going to stay focused on our short-term goals," Dardis said. "We'll keep our long-term recovery concerns and issue on the radar screen, but we're going to stay very focused on our short term goals."
The panel received an initial flooding damage report, which included: $4 billion in agricultural damage; $1 billion damage to the city of Cedar Rapids; $225 million at the University of Iowa; and more than 40,000 people displaced.
Culver said the flood recovery would take years.
"It's going to take a lot of sweat equity to get this done," Culver said. "There's not really been a natural disaster quite like this one."
Culver has created a new state agency headed by Lt. Gov. Patty Judge to oversee rebuilding efforts. That agency is up and running in suburban Des Moines offices with about 30 workers drawn from other agencies, Culver said.
The special commission will issue a long-term recovery recommendation by Nov. 1.
Culver said he's heading to Washington next week to issue a plea for additional flood assistance. He noted that Congress is in the process of doing initial markups on spending measures.
"We have a very critically important window," he said.
But Culver said he probably wouldn't hold the special session until he has received an initial assessment of damage recovery needs in early September.
"I believe there are significant issues that the Legislature will have to address," said Culver, speaking at the first meeting of a 15-member commission he appointed to oversee recovery efforts from this year's flooding and tornadoes.
Culver said he'd make a decision on a special session after the commission makes its initial assessment on Sept. 2.
"I do not think it will be before the commission completes its report, so that puts us in early September, more likely than an August date," said Culver.
Although Culver and top legislative leaders initially said state lawmakers needed to act to help the state recover, they more recently have stressed the need to convince the federal government to step in with an aid package.
Culver said any special session will have a limited agenda.
One option is for lawmakers to give state agencies more flexibility for spending emergency reserve funds on hand. Culver said legislators also could give more assistance to communities hardest hit by the flooding to keep them operating until the regular legislative session begins in January.
Culver said his timeline for a special session could change.
"If this commission determines there's more immediacy and urgency in terms of having the Legislature taking significant steps, we leave open that possibility," Culver said.
National Guard Adjutant General Ron Dardis heads the special commission, and he said the initial focus will be narrow.
"We're going to stay focused on our short-term goals," Dardis said. "We'll keep our long-term recovery concerns and issue on the radar screen, but we're going to stay very focused on our short term goals."
The panel received an initial flooding damage report, which included: $4 billion in agricultural damage; $1 billion damage to the city of Cedar Rapids; $225 million at the University of Iowa; and more than 40,000 people displaced.
Culver said the flood recovery would take years.
"It's going to take a lot of sweat equity to get this done," Culver said. "There's not really been a natural disaster quite like this one."
Culver has created a new state agency headed by Lt. Gov. Patty Judge to oversee rebuilding efforts. That agency is up and running in suburban Des Moines offices with about 30 workers drawn from other agencies, Culver said.
The special commission will issue a long-term recovery recommendation by Nov. 1.
Culver said he's heading to Washington next week to issue a plea for additional flood assistance. He noted that Congress is in the process of doing initial markups on spending measures.
"We have a very critically important window," he said.
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