Culver signs infrastructure improvement, flood recovery plan

DES MOINES - Gov. Chet Culver today signed an $830 million plan to upgrade the state's infrastructure and rebuild after last year's flooding and natural disasters.Culver has dubbed the plan "I-Jobs" and argues it would create tens of thousands of jobs over the next three years as Iowa lifts itself out of a recession.

"We're making an investment in our future. We're going to modernize our state's infrastructure, and most importantly, create jobs in doing so," Culver said.

The plan faced strong opposition from Republican lawmakers, who said it was too costly to borrow that much money, especially as the state faced budget constrains.

The plan relies on $765  million in bonding that would be paid back with state gaming revenues.

Many GOP legislators argued the state should pay for the projects as the money became available rather than borrowing it.

House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said plan ultimately will cost Iowans $1.7 billion and creates mostly temporary jobs.

To pay for flood and natural disaster recovery, Paulsen said, the state could have tapped cash in its emergency reserve funds or found other alternatives to borrowing.

"It seems to us that this is taking on a whole lot of debt for our kids and grandkids when there are better alternatives," Paulsen said.

Culver accused opponents of focusing on "gloom and doom" and cited support from local elected officials and economic development groups for the plan.

"As a Democrat, I'm focused on the very positive aspects of this I-Jobs initiative that will benefit every community, every county," Culver said.

Some of the elements of the plan:

-- Transportation projects would see $115 million, including $55 million for roads and $50 million to improve bridge safety and rehabilitate structurally deficient bridges, and $10 million for airports, trails and rail.

-Public infrastructure projects get $185 million including an expansion of community based corrections facilities and improvements at the women's prison in Mitchellville and the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

-- Disaster rebuilding and prevention will see $165 million, including $46.5 million to Linn County and Cedar Rapids and to rebuild fire stations in Charles City, Palo and Elkader.

-- The University of Iowa, hard hit by flooding last year, would get $100 million for recovery. Iowa State University would see $15 million for a new veterinary sciences building.

-- Water quality programs will get $25 million for projects that include flood prevention and rebuilding and soil conservation.

-- Sewer infrastructure projects will get $55 million, with $35 million of that reserved for communities under 10,000 people.

-- A total of $35 million goes to housing and public shelter projects.

-- Public broadband projects see $25 million.