JOHNSTON — Gov. Chet Culver's proposal to divert $50 million from a highway repair fund to the Iowa State Patrol is dead for the year, two key legislators said Friday.
The top Republican and Democrat on the House State Government Committee said a cold, snowy winter that likely will cause significant damage to Iowa's roads was the final straw, ending consideration of a proposal that never was especially popular.
"The roads are bad now and we have yet to go through the rapid freeze-thaw cycle of spring," said Rep. Doug Struyk, R-Council Bluffs, the ranking member of the committee.
Iowa City Rep. Mary Mascher, the committee chairwoman, agreed.
"In Iowa City, people have said please don't touch that. Have you seen what our roads are like in the rural areas? Have you seen what the winter has done to them?" said Mascher, a Democrat.
The two spoke during a taping of Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" program.
Diverting money from the road fund to the state patrol was a big part of Culver's plan for covering a shortfall in the state's general fund. The road fund is financed with a gasoline tax.
Culver said the move makes sense, in part because state troopers are essential to keeping the roads safe. He also noted then-Gov. Terry Branstad made a similar transfer to help balance the budget in the 1980s.
And Culver has pointed out that state and federal stimulus spending has meant an explosion of road work in the state.
But his proposed shift was never popular in the Legislature, even before Iowa was hit with a series of winter storms.
"It's a bipartisan proposal that we're not going to touch the road use tax fund," Struyk said. "There are other ways to take care of the highway patrol."
Mascher said the state is already far short of the money needed to maintain the highway system, and few want to make the situation even worse.
"There's hasn't been a lot of discussion about it," said Mascher. "We are woefully inadequate in terms of our road fund."
Culver's proposal was among recommendations in a consultant's report addressing ways the state could streamline state government.
"If the Legislature does not want to act on a proposal in the efficiency report, the governor expects the Legislature to find those savings somewhere else," Culver aide Troy Price said.
Local News
Iowa lawmakers say no to Culver trooper plan
- Local News
-
-
Moulton-Udell FFA Chapter attends State Legislative Symposium Jan. 30
The event is designed to build character and promote citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism.
-
City delays donation decision for Rathbun Lake Area YMCA
Many spoke out during the public hearing for Highway 2 and 5 lane configuration. Currently, both state highways are three lanes through Centerville.
-
Loebsack rep to hold office hours
Congressman Dave Loebsack will have a member of his staff in Appanoose County for open office hours.
-
Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund moving forward with 2012 plan
Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund Inc. officials held a public hearing last week to talk about their 2012 Housing Assistance Plan. This plan follows the one filed in 2010 and contains several changes.
-
Board of Supervisors set budget and budget amendment hearing Feb. 21
The budget amendment hearing is at 9:30 a.m. and the budget hearing is at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Courthouse.
-
IUB and IDOT provide map of electrical service providers
This interactive resource allows online users to review local electric service information using a statewide map that links to county and then local area maps, in addition to local utility Web sites.
-
Free One Day Business Start-up courses
•IHCC Centerville Campus, Wednesday, April 11 (Room 15) 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
-
10.10.10 Heritage Pride puzzle number six
10.10.10 Heritage Pride puzzle number six and answers
-
Mystic couple’s premature baby comes home after extended hospital stay
Nolan Wendland was supposed to be born Jan. 9. Instead, he came home Jan. 8 — after 11 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.
-
Daily Iowegian publisher’s photo wins third place in INA contest
Daily Iowegian publisher, Becky Maxwell, took third place in the Best Breaking News Photo category at the 2012 Iowa Newspaper Association’s annual convention in Des Moines Feb. 2-3.
-
100 Day Wellness Challenge update
The first update for the 100 Day Wellness Challenge as of Feb. 5 (Day 13) has been released.
-
Pathfinders RC&D secures grant for map training along byway
Pathfinders RC&D is happy to announce receipt of a grant from Central Iowa Tourism Region to plan and host a map training seminar for businesses along the Historic Hills Scenic Byway as well as surrounding communities.
-
COOKIES FOR SALE
Troop No. 665 Girl Scouts Saturday afternoon were at the Centerville Hy-Vee selling cookies.
-
CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW: Centerville City Council looking to appoint six and accept three resignations
The agenda for tonight's Centerville City Council meeting is loaded with resignations and appointments. The council will vote on three resignations and six appointments.
-
Masonic Lodge open house Feb. 20
An open house is going to be held at the Masonic Jackson Lodge No. 42 in Centerville on Monday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in honor of George Washington’s birthday. It is open to the public.
- More Local News Headlines
-
