1. It was so cold outside and so warm inside the crammed-full-of-people Iowa House chamber today that the three-story-tall windows on the east and west sides of the huge, expansive room completely frosted over. Normally, one has a great view of the legislators' parking lot to the east and downtown Des Moines to the west.
2. Senate President Jack Kibbie was walking in a hallway behind the senate chamber this afternoon when a road lobbyist stopped Kibbie, stuck out his hand and said, "Senator, I haven't had a chance to thank you for your remarks yesterday." Kibbie called for an increase in the gas tax yesterday. Gas taxes are used for road construction.
3. Governor Culver delivered the annual "Condition of the State" message at 10 a.m. this morning and unveiled a $700 million borrowing plan to finance infrastructure projects. In a unique move, the governor's staff decided to brief reporters about the details of Culver's plan at 12:30 p.m. — after most everyone had written their stories.
4. On December 24, 2008, the governor saw a video about Cedar Rapids flooding. Culver was attending a service for flood victims, held at St. Wenceslaus Church in Cedar Rapids when the video was shown. Culver decided to show the 7-minute-long video today, in the middle of his "Condition of the State" message. Rep. Kraig Paulsen, a Republican from Hiawatha, says he's seen the video three times now. Three members of the Cedar Rapids city council took the video with them to DC this week to show federal officials. If you haven't seen it, watch it here: http://www.governor.iowa.gov/news/video/2009//.
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
Another Tax Increase from Senator Jack Kibbie. Have you ever considered lowering taxes and cutting services, which would grow Iowa’s economy? Or is that to much common sense for an old senator?
Same old tax your voters and spend the money story, Jack.