Branstad's Muddy Morning Flood Show

Gov. Branstad showed off his administration's awareness of flooding this morning. It happens every spring, don't you know.

But his stand on Cedar Rapids' bid to use state sales tax dollars to pay for future flood protection was pretty muddy.

"There have been discussions about that," Branstad said during his weekly news conference. "Obviously, we think that's primarily the responsibility of the Army Corps of Engineers."

Branstad said he's talked to local leaders, etc. about Cedar Rapids' situation. He acknowledged that the corps is only willing to endorse protection for the east side of the Cedar River. The governor said he doesn't "quite understand" why the corps doesn't want to shield both banks. I guess he hasn't dug into the corps dense report explaining that call. It's a real page-turner.

But he offered no opinion one way or the other on a plan that would allow Cedar Rapids to keep a portion of state sales taxes collected in the city over the next 20 years to help pay for a system of levees, green space and flood walls. A legislative working group is mulling the proposal.

Branstad's non-commitment is not surprising, nor is it particularly troubling. Governors' typically play it close to the vest with this kind of stuff. There's a lot of legislating left to do, and there's no sense endorsing anything now that can be a bargaining chip later.

What most troubled me about his media show today was that it's clear his administration continues to see flooding as a problem you respond to rather than prevent. He brought in Brig. Gen. Derek Hill, the head of Homeland Security/Emergency Management to talk about preparations on the rising Big Sioux and Mississippi rivers. Sandbags are being filled. Iowans should take precautions and have evacuation plans at the ready. Fine and appropriate advice. Our hearts go out, of course, to anyone facing a watery onslaught.

But there was precious little talk about watershed management or land use changes or how the state might make policy changes now to help slow rushing runoff and prevent or lessen the severity of flooding in the future. His budget contained no new dollars for such measures. His agenda does not make it a priority. The warnings about higher river flows and rising precipitation are not sinking in.

"There's a lot of factors that go in (to flooding) there's no foolproof way to absolutely prevent flooding," Branstad said. Yeah, so why bother trying?

March is Flood Awareness Month, the governor proclaimed, but it would be even nicer if his administration cared more about the issue the rest of the year.