Winners, Losers from the 2010 Legislative Session

desmoinesregister.com

March 31, 2010

By Jennifer Jacobs, Jason Clayworth and Staci Hupp

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WINNERS

FLOODED CITIES: Targeted disaster relief, flood mitigation and construction projects will get $33.6 million. Flood-ravaged cities can have a library levy vote this year, rather than wait until the next general city election in 2011. New flood plain maps will be created with $10 million in federal money. A flood research center at the University of Iowa will get its second year of funding at $1.3 million. Two flooded Cedar Rapids government buildings will get money: $8.9 million for the county public service building and $6.5 million for the old federal courthouse, which is now tapped for city office space. A proposal to prohibit development in the 500-year flood plain failed. Cities killed the idea, arguing that the location of the 500-year flood plain is uncertain.

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CANCER PATIENTS: Iowans with cancer no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for their treatment - such as blood work, doctors' charges, hospital charges, diagnostic tests - when they enroll in a clinical trial. This mandate applies only to state-regulated insurance plans, typically held by smaller employers.

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