Hosts Meet and Greet events in Boone, Algona, Garner, and Forest City

DES MOINES, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley took his campaign for US Senate in 2014 to four North Iowa communities today to host informal "Meet and Greet" events with local residents. The events in Boone, Algona, Garner, and Forest City marks his first campaign events in these communities since announcing his candidacy for Senate.

Braley said, "Today in Iowa, the middle class struggles with rising costs and shrinking opportunities. Politicians in Washington ignore the real problems and often make things worse. I'm running for Senate to fight for the things that matter most to Iowans.

"I grew up in Brooklyn, Iowa, and I've never forgotten where I come from. My parents taught me the value of hard work, and I worked hard in jobs like road construction to help put myself through college. In the Senate, I'll work for Iowa to create jobs, help small businesses succeed, and protect Social Security and Medicare. I'll fight for middle class Iowans, because that's where I come from."

Braley is continuing to travel the state to discuss his background and his campaign to create jobs, help small businesses succeed, and strengthen the middle class. 

Bruce Braley was born in Grinnell and grew up in nearby Brooklyn, Iowa. His father, a Marine who fought on Iwo Jima in World War II, and his mother, a teacher, taught him the value of hard work. Braley worked jobs like road construction and truck driving to help pay his way through college and law school. As an attorney in Waterloo, Braley represented Iowans who took on powerful interests and big corporations. Elected to the US House in 2006, Braley has worked to create Iowa jobs, protect farms, strengthen small businesses, and stand up for veterans. Bruce Braley is running for Senate to fight for the things that matter most to Iowans. He'll fight for middle class families, because that's where he comes from.

Braley lives in Waterloo with his wife, Carolyn. They have three children: Lisa, David, and Paul.

The snow is on the ground...

the temperature is low...

It's time for Winter classes!

The winter session begins next week!

Don't hesitate...classes are filling!

 

 

 

Dance

Rainfall and Melting Snow Could Combine to Cause Hazardous Flooding

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today reminded people throughout Illinois to stay alert for flood hazards caused by melting snow and rain. In addition, low overnight temperatures could freeze puddles and other wet areas to create dangerous slick spots on roads and sidewalks.

"Everyone should be cautious and look out for slick or flooded roads and sidewalks this weekend," Governor Quinn said. "The melting snow and rainfall, combined with the frozen ground, is a recipe for flooding in many areas. Please travel safely, avoid standing water and watch out for ice."

The increasing temperatures are melting ice on rivers and streams, which could cause ice jams in some areas. People living near rivers and streams are advised to watch the local forecast and to be prepared to follow instructions from local officials in the event of a flood emergency.

If drivers encounter water over a roadway, the National Weather Service advises them to "Turn Around, Don't Drown" (TADD). Many people have been hurt driving over flooded roads that are deceptively deep. The speed and depth of the water is not always obvious and a hidden portion of the road may have been washed out. As little as two feet of water can carry away most vehicles, with drivers having little control over their destination.

The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Tollway are deploying additional maintenance crews to help clear storm drains to allow any water covering sections of pavement to subside. Patrols will continue until the rain ends. Drivers should dial *999 from a cell phone for assistance if their vehicles become disabled or to report other stranded cars.

For more information about flood safety, visit the Ready Illinois website at Ready.Illinois.gov.

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Friday, January 10, 2014

Grassley Leads Iowa Delegation Requesting Further Review from FEMA of Rural Electric Cooperatives Post-Disaster Reconstruction

WASHINGTON - The Iowa congressional delegation today asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to revisit a decision to deny reconstruction assistance to several Northwest Iowa rural electric cooperatives following severe weather last spring.

The Iowa delegation is concerned that FEMA may have interpreted the law one way after already telling the cooperatives a different interpretation.  In the letter they wrote that FEMA may have "changed policy without adequate notification and public input in accordance with Section 325 of the Stafford Act, or changed policy interpretation in a way that contradicts previous interpretation, industry understanding, previous practice, and industry best practices."

"This is a serious concern for these cooperatives.  I heard about it at my town meetings and told them we'd try and get to the bottom of FEMA's abrupt change of policy," Grassley said.

In addition, the members wrote, "Concerns have been raised that FEMA may have violated both the terms and spirit of Section 325 of the Stafford Act in these cases.  Congress enacted Section 325 to prevent just this sort of situation from occurring where FEMA appears to have changed its policy to the detriment of the RECs without due notice and opportunity for them to comment on the changes.  Particularly the requirement that the RECs must have performed predisaster laboratory testing to be eligible for reimbursement imposes an impossible burden on the RECs when FEMA first articulates this dramatic change to existing policy after the disaster has occurred."

Here's a copy of the text of the letter.  The signed copy can be found here.

 

January 8, 2014

 

W. Craig Fugate

Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U+S Department of Homeland Security

500 C Street SW

Washington D.C. 20472

Dear Administrator Fugate:

On December 24, 2013, the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department submitted an appeal in conjunction with Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, Lyon Rural Electric Cooperative, Osceola Electric Cooperative, and Sanborn Electric and Telecommunications Utility regarding FEMA's denial of post-disaster reconstruction of electrical facilities.  We ask that these appeals receive all due consideration and that you and your senior leadership team at FEMA headquarters actively engage, especially since similar issues and appeals are highly likely to arise in other states and FEMA regions.

FEMA-4114-DR-IA was declared a major disaster by the President in response to severe winter storms which occurred from April 9-13, 2013.  This severe weather caused millions of dollars of damage to electrical utility lines in northwest Iowa.   Project worksheets were written for emergency and permanent repairs for work under Category "B" and Category "F" respectively, including reconductoring projects for at least one utility (Rock Rapids Municipal).  However, the Project Worksheets that were prepared under the guidelines in FEMA's Disaster Assistance Program Fact Sheet 9580.6, Electric Utility Repair (Public and Private Nonprofit) to address replacement of the damaged conductors for the aforementioned applicants were denied the disaster assistance based on a series of concerns related to "comprehensive laboratory testing."

We have heard many concerns about FEMA's decision related to the rural electric cooperatives and FEMA's current interpretation of disaster assistance policy 9580.6, including:

•           Concerns that FEMA has changed policy without adequate notification and public input in accordance with Section 325 of the Stafford Act, or changed policy interpretation in a way that contradicts previous interpretation, industry understanding, previous practice, and industry best practices.

•           Concerns that proposed pre-disaster laboratory testing requirements would be detrimental to system integrity and could significantly impact the rates which citizens in rural areas pay for electricity.

•           Concerns that previous pre-disaster documentation standards have been ignored and that the Iowa rural electric cooperatives are being held to a higher standard that has not been previously communicated.

•           Concerns that Iowa's electric cooperatives and eligible non-profit utilities are being held to a different standard for pre- and post-disaster documentation than those of other FEMA Regions.

Concerns have been raised that FEMA may have violated both the terms and spirit of Section 325 of the Stafford Act in these cases.  Congress enacted Section 325 to prevent just this sort of situation from occurring where FEMA appears to have changed its policy to the detriment of the RECs without due notice and opportunity for them to comment on the changes.  Particularly the requirement that the RECs must have performed predisaster laboratory testing to be eligible for reimbursement imposes an impossible burden on the RECs when FEMA first articulates this dramatic change to existing policy after the disaster has occurred.

We expect you to carefully review and consider all of the information provided in the appeals.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

______________________________ ______________________________

Senator Chuck Grassley                       Senator Tom Harkin

 

______________________________ ______________________________

Representative Bruce Braley                         Representative Dave Loebsack

 

______________________________ ______________________________

Representative Tom Latham                         Representative Steve King

 

cc:        Beth Freeman, Regional Director, FEMA Region VII

John Padalino, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA

Deborah Ingram, Assistant Administrator, Recovery, FEMA