Representative Rogers released his first video of the session!

Click on the the link for a look into a week with Rep. Rogers.

In a report issued this week, Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino identifies 13 efficiencies with total savings projected at $50 million. The money-saving efforts and subsequent report came at the request of Governor Branstad. He directed the department to find efficiencies in order to free up more money in the Road Use Tax Fund for the improvement of the public roadway system. According to the DOT, the fund has a $220 million critical needs shortfall. The report separates the efficiencies into two categories: Program Efficiencies and Partnership Efficiencies.
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Last week, Iowa Public Interest Research Group (Iowa PIRG) released a report regarding the growing use of traffic cameras in Iowa. The report criticizes cities for giving up too much power to the out-of-state companies that administer them and for essentially privatizing a large part of traffic law enforcement.

Automated traffic enforcement programs have grown in popularity across the country—with active systems in 700 communities and about half of the states. In Iowa they are utilized in larter cities such as: Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Clive, Davenport, Muscatine, and Council Bluffs with others under consideration.

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Two weeks ago the Governor’s Transportation 2020 Citizen’s Advisory Commission set forth its recommendations in a report the commission will submit to the Department of Transportation in the next couple of weeks. The commission is comprised of county and city representatives, the former director of the Department of Transportation, and several non-voting legislators. The commission’s charge was to find ways to increase funds for public roadways. It is estimated that the critical funding shortfall is about $215 annually.

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Posted below is the analysis of the omnibus budget bill proposed by House Republicans. The current schedule for the bill is to have it go through committee on Monday June 6 and then be debated on the floor on Tuesday June 7.

Omnibus Bill for FY 2012–

A new Iowa map from the Department of Transportation became available last week. The state map shows updated information on Iowa’s highways, county roads, major streets, railroads, airports and large cities. An index gives population information for the largest 16 Iowa cities as well as mileage between select cities.

The map is available at all 19 driver’s license stations, all six district offices, and at Iowa’s many rest areas. Additionally, the Iowa Division of Tourism will distribute 500,000 maps this year in Iowa’s 19 welcome centers and in free Iowa travel packets. Travel packets (including a map) can be requested by calling 800-345-IOWA or by visiting traveliowa.com. The map can also be accessed online at www.iowadot.gov/maps.

The map includes a welcome message from Gov. Terry Brandstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.

House Republicans unveiled their plan for budget savings, the Taxpayers First Act.

To view full bill and staff analysis view links below:

Taxpayers First Act

Staff Analysis

“House Republicans campaigned on giving Iowans a seat at the table. This bill does just that,” said House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer (R-Garner).

The Taxpayers First Act will create a Taxpayer Relief Fund which will capture any budget surplus and direct it back to the taxpayer.

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House Republican committee assignments are now assembled for 2011. Click the links below to view lists in PDF.

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Speaker-Elect Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) today announced a second round of committee chairs for the 84th General Assembly. This group of committees will be tasked with putting the nearly 114,000 Iowans who are out of a job back to work.

Continue reading for the list of appointments…

Last week the Department of Transportation presented a draft of the Iowa Transportation Improvement Program (“Five Year Plan”) for 2011–2015 to the Transportation Commission. The plan includes investments in aviation, transit, railroads, trails, and highways. Some of the projects included in the plan simply maintain completion schedules of projects started in previous five year plans. Other monies are spent in an attempt to spur economic development.

One of the biggest sections of the five year plan contains the primary highway investments. State and federal funds totaling $2.3 billion will be spent between 2011 and 2015 on right-of-way acquisitions and construction on Iowa highways. The main components of the highway project is preservation of the existing system and enhanced safety features. More than $1.2 billion is reserved for these specific purposes. The amount of money spent on Iowa highways is still contingent on any revisions in a federal transportation spending bill.

Read more for examples of projects…