Capitol Digest 3-26-09

Here are legislative items of interest for Thursday, March 26:

LIGHTS OUT FOR EARTH HOUR: The night lighting at the state Capitol is slated to go dark Saturday evening. State officials will turn off the exterior Statehouse illumination for one hour beginning at 8:30 p.m. as part of a global-wide “Earth Hour” effort to support action on climate change sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation. Sponsors say the Earth Hour observance is intended to be a symbol of a collective concern for action on climate change. In 2008 – Earth Hour's first year -- an estimated 50 million people participated. “Climate change is real, and all Iowans can take simple steps to use less energy, and as a result, reduce our carbon footprint,” said Gov. Chet Culver. While the exterior wash lights of the Capitol will be off, state officials say security lighting and lighting required by the FAA will remain on. All other non-essential lights will be doused.

IOWA MOVING UP: Iowa jumped to second in the nation in quality of life, according to a comparison done by Congressional Quarterly Press, which looks at healthy population, excellence in education and safe neighborhoods. Wyoming was first, followed by Iowa, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Nebraska. Iowa was sixth in 2007 and fifth in 2008. Iowa has been in the top 10 most livable states for 18 years running and the top five for 13 years.

SHOVEL READY: Lt. Gov. Patty Judge said Thursday she's seen enthusiasm from Iowa communities for Gov. Chet Culver's bonding proposal to spend $750 million on infrastructure projects around the state. The pair have been on the road meeting with local officials who have “shovel ready projects in an attempt to drum up support for the idea, which will have to gain approval of the Iowa Legislature. “There are so many projects that are ready to go and there's such a backlog of projects that I think there's just a demand that is pretty overwhelming, really,” Judge said. Many of those planned projects awaiting funding include water treatment facilities that are expensive and would help improve water quality, Judge said.

IOWA PIONEER: A man with an interesting place in Iowa's history is now being celebrated in the office of a legislative leader who's hoping to revive his legacy. A portrait of Samuel H. M. Byers, who penned “Song of Iowa” and fought in the 5th Regiment Iowa Infantry, is now hanging in the office of Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton. The portrait is on loan from the State Historical Society of Iowa. Byers was captured in the battle of Mission Ridge, but successfully escaped from a Confederate prison in Columbia, S.C., where he had composed “Sherman's March to the Sea.” Gen. Sherman tapped him to serve on his staff after his escape.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It's dead and I just don't see any way to revive it.” – Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, assessing prospects for a bill under which bar owners could face disciplinary action for knowing but failing to report to police any criminal activity taking place in areas next to their businesses.

Compiled by Des Moines Bureau staff.