Capitol Digest 4-2-09

Here are some legislative items of interest for Thursday, April 2:

INDICATORS DROP AGAIN: Iowa's leading indicators index fell for the 11th straight month in February – a month that also saw the fourth straight drop in nonfarm employment. State Department of Revenue officials report the index fell to 101.0 in February, compared to 102.2 in January and 108.4 from the peak month of March 2008. A major share of the declines occurred during the six months that ended in February. The only positive indicator in February was the yield spread, while declines were posted in the Iowa stock market index, average weekly manufacturing hours, unemployment insurance claims, diesel fuel consumption, the

agricultural futures price index, the new orders index, and new residential building permits.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: Parkersburg officials are seeking volunteers this month to help install new playground equipment to replace what was damaged by last year's tornado. The Rebuild Iowa Office put out a call Thursday for volunteers to install new equipment at school and city playgrounds that was purchased through local fund-raising efforts and a matching grant from the Miracle Recreation Equipment Company based in Missouri. The total project cost was about $500,000. Equipment will be put up in two locations -- Schwartz Memorial Park on April 16-18, and Miracle Park on April 22-26. Volunteer crews are still needed to work from 8 a.m. to sunset and will be served lunch, dinner and snacks. Anyone or any group that would like to volunteer should contact Amy Truax by calling (319) 346-9853 or e-mailing her at ajtruax@aol.com.

FLOOD VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers who “stepped forward in a time of crisis providing aid, comfort and hope to their fellow Iowans” during the June 2008 floods were honored Thursday by House Resolution 39, which was sponsored by several House members.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We're working to try to make next week our last week.” – Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, who pushed for an April 2 adjournment target but now expects the 2009 session to adjourn by the end of next week.

Compiled by Des Moines bureau staff