Gov. Culver doesn't rule out special session
Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008
DES MOINES (AP) -- Gov. Chet Culver said Tuesday he's using a series of broad emergency powers to direct millions of dollars toward flood relief but hasn't ruled out the chance of a special legislative session.
While not taking the possibility of a special session off the table, Culver ticked off a series of steps that have already been taken to direct money to flood relief.
The state's executive council -- a panel of statewide elected officials that Culver heads -- on Monday directed $4 million to local communities for debris removal. And federal officials have announced the state will get $85 million for housing assistance.
"We are also looking at other ways we can free up financial resources," said Culver. "We're looking at all options on the table in terms of finding financial resources."
In the aftermath of record flooding earlier this summer, legislative leaders and Culver said they planned to bring the Legislature back into special session in September to approve a flood relief package. Since then, both sides have inched away from that stand and the potential of a special session has dimmed as lawmakers note Culver's existing authority to act on his own in an emergency.
Speaking with reporters, Culver said a couple of key decisions in coming weeks likely will decide the issue. Typically, the federal government picks up 75 percent of the cost of disaster recover, but Culver has asked for an increase to 90 percent.
If that's granted, it would make a $112 million difference to the state.
"That means the Legislature and I don't have to worry about $112 million in costs," said Culver. "Those types of things ultimately will have a huge impact on ultimately whether or not we have a special session."
Culver said he expects to learn the outcome of his requests "in the next couple of weeks" and that will weigh heavily on whether he summons lawmakers into session.
"I've said that we're keeping the option of a special session on the table," Culver said. "We've been able to pay for a lot of things through the Executive Council appropriations authority. We're looking at other vehicles as well."
The calendar also complicates the issue of a special session.
A commission Culver has named to assess flood damages is scheduled to issue its report Sept. 2. If that report indicates a special session is needed, the earliest it could be held is the middle of September, less than two months before November's general election.
Democrats control both chamber of the Legislature, but they hold the House on a narrow 53-47 margin and Republicans have targeted that chamber for special attention. Few lawmakers relish the idea of taking time away from the campaign trail for a special session just weeks before the election.
Culver spoke Tuesday on the steps of the Statehouse as he marked the second year of a state-funded college scholarship program. This year, the program will provide $4 million to 627 high school graduates, with awards based on financial needs.
"This is a significant investment in young adults," said Culver, who pushed lawmakers to approve the program.
While not taking the possibility of a special session off the table, Culver ticked off a series of steps that have already been taken to direct money to flood relief.
The state's executive council -- a panel of statewide elected officials that Culver heads -- on Monday directed $4 million to local communities for debris removal. And federal officials have announced the state will get $85 million for housing assistance.
"We are also looking at other ways we can free up financial resources," said Culver. "We're looking at all options on the table in terms of finding financial resources."
In the aftermath of record flooding earlier this summer, legislative leaders and Culver said they planned to bring the Legislature back into special session in September to approve a flood relief package. Since then, both sides have inched away from that stand and the potential of a special session has dimmed as lawmakers note Culver's existing authority to act on his own in an emergency.
Speaking with reporters, Culver said a couple of key decisions in coming weeks likely will decide the issue. Typically, the federal government picks up 75 percent of the cost of disaster recover, but Culver has asked for an increase to 90 percent.
If that's granted, it would make a $112 million difference to the state.
"That means the Legislature and I don't have to worry about $112 million in costs," said Culver. "Those types of things ultimately will have a huge impact on ultimately whether or not we have a special session."
Culver said he expects to learn the outcome of his requests "in the next couple of weeks" and that will weigh heavily on whether he summons lawmakers into session.
"I've said that we're keeping the option of a special session on the table," Culver said. "We've been able to pay for a lot of things through the Executive Council appropriations authority. We're looking at other vehicles as well."
The calendar also complicates the issue of a special session.
A commission Culver has named to assess flood damages is scheduled to issue its report Sept. 2. If that report indicates a special session is needed, the earliest it could be held is the middle of September, less than two months before November's general election.
Democrats control both chamber of the Legislature, but they hold the House on a narrow 53-47 margin and Republicans have targeted that chamber for special attention. Few lawmakers relish the idea of taking time away from the campaign trail for a special session just weeks before the election.
Culver spoke Tuesday on the steps of the Statehouse as he marked the second year of a state-funded college scholarship program. This year, the program will provide $4 million to 627 high school graduates, with awards based on financial needs.
"This is a significant investment in young adults," said Culver, who pushed lawmakers to approve the program.
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I-Know-It--I-Knew-It wrote on Aug 21, 2008 10:02 PM:
I-Know-It--I-Knew-It "