Seeing Cedar Rapids flood damage drives home 'human tragedy' for lawmaker

DES MOINES – Rep. Jason Schultz's first visit to Cedar Rapids was an eye-opener.

“It's a beautiful city and I can see why they are so passionate about defending it,” the Schleswig Republican said after a Monday morning tour of Cedar Rapids with Mayor Ron Corbett, Councilman Justin Shields and Linn County Supervisor Ben Rogers.

Schultz, who co-chairs a 12-member legislative task force considering Cedar Rapids' Growth Reinvestment Initiative, said the visit “drove home the human tragedy” of the 2008 flooding in the state's second-largest city.

“It was very moving to see the abandoned homes, the homes with plywood over the windows, and the number of them was troublesome to see,” he said.

The task force is weighing Cedar Rapids' proposal to divert $200 million of future sales tax revenue to cover the state and local shares of a $375 million system of levees, concrete walls, removable flood walls and pumps to protect the city's downtown core, major industries and neighborhoods.

In meetings with legislators, Corbett has emphasized approval of the plan would be not only an investment in the future of Cedar Rapids but an investment in the state. Cedar Rapids and Linn County contribute $180 million a year in sale tax revenue to the state. Without flood protection, businesses are less likely to invest in Cedar Rapids. If that happens, sales tax revenue growth in Cedar Rapids – and the state - is unlikely to meet projections for 3.6 percent growth.

The question for the task force, Schultz said, is how to balance the needs of Cedar Rapids with the needs of the state and other communities.

“Despite the impact Cedar Rapids has on the state, does the rest of the state have to pitch in” to pay for Cedar Rapids' flood protection? Schultz said.

He also wondered what if a similar disaster hits another community this year. “Do we let them keep their sales taxes?” he asked. “Where does it stop?

The task force needs to answer those and other questions soon, Schultz said. The legislature is more than halfway to its scheduled adjournment date. He originally thought the Growth Reinvestment Initiative proposal could be handled by an interim committee after the session.

However, Corbett, Shields and Rogers “emphasized they need action now,” Schultz said.

The task force is scheduled to meet at 7:15 March 31 in Room 22 of the Capitol.