News Details

Response to Fiscal, Natural Disasters is Legacy of 83^rd General Assembly

gazetteonline.com

April 1, 2010

By:  James Q. Lynch

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On top of the fiscal challenges, lawmakers devoted significant resources to helping local communities recover from floods and tornadoes. In 2009, that included tax abatement for property owners who improve damaged properties, authorizing the sale of bonds to finance infrastructure improvements and policy changes to require cities to participate in programs to lower homeowners’ cost for flood insurance.

Their effort continued in 2010, even adding $30 million for flood protection projects at the last moment. Their emphasis in 2010 was on forward-looking protections for communities, including smart planning and allowing local governments to form watershed management authorities.

The work isn’t finished, said Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids. “It will take seven, eight, nine years before the communities have the resources they need,” he said.

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