Capitol Notebook: Iowans recovering from storm damage can now go here

Iowans whose property was damaged or destroyed by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in April and May now have a new resource to find help.

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has launched a disaster recovery website to help impacted Iowans find needed resources and information.

Iowans can visit disasterrecovery.iowa.gov to view and apply for state and federal assistance programs available to residents, businesses and farms affected by the recent severe weather, as well as to volunteer and donate to recovery operations. The website also includes resources and links to information for those with questions about insurance, how to clean up or mental health resources.

“During times of crisis, it's important for communities to come together, support one another, and have access to much-needed resources,” John Benson, director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said in a statement. “The launch of this disaster recovery website is another step to providing assistance and resources to those affected by the recent severe weather in Iowa.”

Reynolds issues more disaster proclamations

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Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster emergency proclamation Tuesday for three additional counties in response to severe weather.

Reynolds issued the proclamation for Dallas, Poweshiek and Webster counties. The governor previously issued disaster proclamations for 42 counties that were affected by storms.

The governor's proclamation allows state resources to be used to respond to and recover from the effects of severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the affected counties.

The state Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty line for expenses incurred by the storms.

Affected Iowans can apply with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security, and applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to apply.

Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement.

For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.

The proclamations also waive fees for the issuance of replacement motor vehicle registration cards, plates and driver's license. The proclamation temporarily suspends regulatory provisions that pertain to procurement of goods and services, hours of service for disaster repair crews, and other requirements. Additionally, the proclamation waives fees associated with the replacement of records lost, destroyed or rendered illegible as a result of the storms.

State Auditor releases schedule of town hall tour

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State Auditor Rob Sand this week released a schedule for his annual “100 Townhall Tour.”

“Especially as new laws take effect that increase secrecy, waste, fraud, and abuse of public funds in Iowa, I believe it’s more important than ever to give Iowans a chance to meet us face to face, to listen to their concerns, and get their input,” Sand, the only Democrat to be elected statewide in Iowa, said in a statement.

Republicans lawmakers last year passed a law that placed guardrails on the kind of information the state auditor could seek during an investigation. Lawmakers this year introduced, but failed to advance, a bill that would have allowed state agencies to bypass the state auditor’s office by hiring private accountants instead.

Rep. Jane Bloomingdale, R-Northwood, who chairs the House State Government Committee, said members had too many concerns about the potential added costs created by the bill. A fiscal note from the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency found that hiring a private CPA firm could cost up to more than three times as much as using the state auditor’s staff.

Sand said the proposal “kneecaps” his authority as the state’s taxpayer watchdog and opens the door to corruption by allowing government officials to bypass the state auditor for annual audits.

Sand will be holding town hall events from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 9 at Greene Square in downtown Cedar Rapids, and noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 18 at College Green, 600 E. College St., in Iowa City.

A list of other town hall dates, times, and locations can be found at auditor.iowa.gov/townhall.