We’ve had an overwhelming response to our call to stand up with Governor Culver after signing Executive Order 22 last week.

This morning, Governor Culver sent out an e-mail to supporters:

Friends-

As Governor, I think constantly about the Iowans who are struggling in tough economic times. I fight everyday for those hard-working families who might be struggling to find a job or provide their child with healthcare.

I signed Executive Order #22 to stand up for hard-working Iowans who deserve good jobs with high-paying wages. As Governor, I will always stand up for what I believe in, and I will always fight for you. And, I will honor that promise.

When I read your comments and see that you are standing up with me to fight for hard-working Iowans, it drives me to fight even harder for you and work with you to move Iowa forward.

I am honored when Iowans like Gary from Estherville and Robin from Pella take the time to say things like, “Keep up the good work.” And, I was touched by George from Silver City who wrote, “I stand with the Governor, proudly.”

I am standing proudly with George and with so many of you who want to keep Iowa moving forward.

Thank you,

Chet Culver
Governor of Iowa

Braley pushes legislation for community college training
From the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald
Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, visited Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District Friday to tout his New Era Expansion Act, which he introduced this week.

The legislation would authorize the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges to establish a program for training people in wind energy and energy-efficient construction. Read full article…

Loebsack secures funding for downtown cameras
From the Ottumwa Courier
For years, the current police chief has wanted a way to keep an eye on downtown Ottumwa.

“When I was a nightshift sergeant back in the ’90s, there was a lot more [evening bar] activity downtown,” said Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark. “We had fight after fight after fight. It wasn’t unusual to have 20 [people] involved in a fight.” Read full article…

Animal Agriculture Responds To Antibiotics Challenge
From CattleNetwork.com
Representatives of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) and Michael Apley, DVM, Kansas State University veterinary clinical pharmacologist, this week visited with Slaughter and other congressional staff to express concerns about the legislation.

“There are a lot of misconceptions and outright misrepresentations out there about why and how antibiotics are used in the cattle industry,” Apley noted in a news release. “It would be a tragedy to lose any valuable tools for preventing animal disease without substantial evidence for a benefit to human health.”

Boswell was part of a recent congressional delegation trip to Denmark that examined the impacts of an antibiotics ban on the country’s swine population. Read entire article…

Braley backs tax on some Wall Street bonuses
From Radio Iowa
Congressman Bruce Braley says it’s time to tax some of the bonuses employees are getting at the companies involved in the Wall Street bailout.

AIG — the American International Group – got $170 billion from U.S. taxpayers to stay afloat. This week AIG executives announced employees in the company’s financial products division would be getting $100 million worth of bonuses. Braley says the bonuses aren’t deserved.

Culver wants prevailing wage law action
From the Quad City Times
Gov. Chet Culver encouraged lawmakers to make a run at prevailing wage legislation that led to a three-day standoff in the Iowa House last year as majority Democrats struggled to find a 51st vote.

“I still believe we need to push forward,” Culver said Wednesday after signing an executive order telling state agencies to consider using project labor agreements on large-scale construction jobs. “We’re talking about paying a carpenter, a pipe-fitter a couple more dollars an hour at a time when, again, families need more income, they need to work, they need to have good wages and that’s what prevailing wage will do.” Read full article…

Senators support extending unemployment benefits
From the Sioux City Journal
Two of the three Northwest Iowa congressional members support extending federal unemployment benefits in the next few weeks.

When Iowa Gov. Chet Culver came to Sioux City a week ago to discuss the help available to displaced John Morrell & Co. plant workers after the facility closes April 20, he asked the Iowa congressional delegation to commit to extending the benefits. Culver said that the 39 weeks of federal benefits would be a boon to the 1,450 Morrell employees who will be out of jobs. Read full article…

Photo via echiner1 on Flickr.

This morning we sent out an e-mail to supporters asking them to stand with Governor Culver after he signed Executive Order 22. You can see photos from today’s event on our Flickr page.

Executive Order 22 requires all state departments and agencies to consider using Project Labor Agreements on large-scale construction projects. This sends a signal to Iowa’s working families: Governor Culver stands with you.

Upon hearing this, Terry Branstad, looking to shore up support with the right-wing of his party, had his campaign fire off an e-mail condemning the order and ask for money.

We don’t think any political campaign should earn money on the backs of struggling families so we’re asking you to voice your support for Governor Culver and the working families of Iowa.

Here are just some of the responses we’ve gotten since this morning:

“Only those with too much power and too many resources have the arrogance to object when government helps others to get decent wages and benefits.  Working families make a difference in the community and they pay their taxes.  We must work for fairness and value for all.” – Marti from Des Moines

“Our workers deserve all the help they can get in these hard times, and this proposal will not only give Iowans work, but it will improve the state. It is time to stop promoting division in order to impress financial backers. It is time to start talking about exactly what you would do to promote jobs for Iowa’s working people.” – Carol from Kanawha, IA

“Putting Iowans back to work should be our state’s priority and that is what Gov. Culver is doing. Brandstad has forgotten what a regular Iowan needs, like a good job. I’m glad Culver is our governor and willing to fight for middle class Iowans.” Judith from Dubuque

Add your voice to the list of Iowans standing up for hard work.

See many more pictures on Flickr.