IT consolidation in Iowa took another step forward this week when Gov. Chet Culver (pictured) signed legislation that sets a course for the state’s governance of technology and expands the state CIO’s role.

Iowa’s IT consolidation is the centerpiece of a statewide reorganization bill that Culver signed into law Wednesday, March 10. The governor’s office said the move will save taxpayers an estimated $125 million. Read full article…

Harkin encouraged by vote on biodiesel
From Radio Iowa

A tax credit on biodiesel fuel that expired in December, virtually shutting down that portion of Iowa’s renewable fuels industry, is being revived. The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to extend the dollar-a-gallon tax credit through the end of 2010.

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin says he’s encouraged by the vote for biodiesel. “It passed by 63 to 36 so it was a pretty strong vote for this,” Harkin says. “It’s good news for the biofuels industry, great news for Iowa. I believe the other part of the bill will provide tax and other relief for Iowa’s families and small businesses.” Read full article…

State sees revenues on the rise
From the Cedar Rapids Gazette

Gov. Chet Culver hailed Thursday’s slightly rosier revenue projections as evidence that efforts to jump-start Iowa’s economy are working.

“Just as my Council of Economic Advisers told us last week, today’s Revenue Estimating Conference shows that Iowa is on the road to recovery,” Culver said shortly after REC members adjusted current-year revenue expectations upward by $900,000 and fiscal 2011 projections by $33.1 million. Read full article…

Iowa National Guard members have begun to receive long-overdue payments they were promised for extended tours of Iraq, 1st District U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley announced Thursday.

“The news that Iowa’s National Guard members are finally receiving the respite leave payments they earned is both exciting and long overdue,” Braley said. “Hundreds of Iowa National Guard members bravely served our country and waited patiently to be compensated.” Read full article…

Culver signs reorganization measure
From the Ames Tribune

Gov. Chet Culver on Wednesday signed into law a sweeping restructuring of state government designed to squeeze $127 million in spending from next year’s budget and help close an expected shortfall.

When coupled with an early retirement incentive program for state workers that has been approved and cuts the governor made that didn’t require legislative approval, $270 million has been trimmed from the $5.3 billion fiscal year budget that begins July 1, Culver said. Read full article…

Beer fans celebrate new Iowa law on higher-alcohol brews
From the Des Moines Register blogs

Now that “beer equality” has come to pass, one Iowa micro-brewery that pushed for the new law intends to make the most of it.

Olde Main Brewing Co. in Ames has thirsted for years to sell Iowans higher-alcohol beer, just as out-of-state breweries can already do.Read full article…

County Convention delegates were elected at this year’s precinct caucuses. Delegates to each county convention will elect delegates to the District and State Conventions, which will be held April 24 and June 12 respectively. Delegates will also discuss and vote on the county party platform this Saturday.

Iowa’s elected Democrats, including Governor Culver and Senator Harkin, as well as our Democratic candidates for office will be visiting this week’s conventions. For more information on where each will be, please see below.

For a complete list of County Conventions held this Saturday, please visit iowademocrats.org/countyconventions.

County Conventions are open to the public and to the media.

WHEN: Saturday, March 13, 2010

WHAT: Boone County Convention Convention
WHEN: 10:00am
WHERE: Boone County Historical Center
602 Story St
Boone, IA
SPEAKERS: Governor Culver, Secretary of State Michael Mauro

WHAT: Buena Vista County Convention Convention
WHEN: 1:00pm
WHERE: Buena Vista County Courthouse
2nd Floor
215 E. 5th St
Storm Lake, IA
SPEAKERS: First Lady Mari Culver

WHAT: Calhoun County Convention Convention
WHEN: 10:30am
WHERE: Calhoun County Courthouse
416 4th St
Rockwell, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Bill Maske (4th CD)

WHAT: Cass County Convention
WHEN: 10:30am
WHERE: Cass County Courthouse
5 W 7th St
Atlantic, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Mike Denklau (5th CD)

WHAT: Cherokee County Convention
WHEN: 2:00pm
WHERE: Cherokee County Courthouse
Courtroom
520 W. Main St
Cherokee, IA
SPEAKERS: First Lady Mari Culver

WHAT allas County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Dallas Center Middle School
1400 Vine
Dallas Center, IA
SPEAKERS: Governor Culver, Secretary of State Michael Mauro

WHAT es Moines County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: SE Community College
Little Theater
1500 W. Agency Rd
West Burlington, IA
SPEAKERS: Lt. Governor Patty Judge

WHAT: Floyd County Convention
WHEN: 1:00pm
WHERE: Charles City Library
106 Milwaukee
Charles City, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Bill Maske (4th CD)

WHAT: Hamilton County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Webster City Fire Station
919 Superior St
Webster City, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Bill Maske (4th CD)

WHAT: Johnson County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: West High School
2901 Melrose Ave
Iowa City, IA
SPEAKERS: Senate Candidate Roxanne Conlin, Senate Candidate Tom Fiegen, Candidate for Secretary of Agriculture Francis Thicke, Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT: Lee County Convention
WHEN: 10:00am
WHERE: Keokuk Middle School
2002 Orleans Ave
Keokuk, IA
SPEAKERS: Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT: Muscatine County Convention
WHEN: 1:00pm
WHERE: Muscatine Community Schools
Admin Building
2900 Mulberry Ave
Muscatine, IA
SPEAKERS: Lt. Governor Patty Judge, Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT: Palo Alto County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Iowa Lakes Community College
Auditorium
3200 College Dr
Emmetsburg, IA
SPEAKERS: Congressional Candidate Bill Maske (4th CD)

WHAT: Polk County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Lincoln High School
2600 SW 9th
Des Moines, IA
SPEAKERS: Senator Tom Harkin, Senate Candidate Roxanne Conlin, Senate Candidate Tom Fiegen, Governor Culver, Secretary of State Michael Mauro, Candidate for Secretary of Agriculture Francis Thicke, Congressman Leonard Boswell,

WHAT: Poweshiek County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: Malcolm Auditorium
3rd and Main
Malcolm, IA
SPEAKERS: Senate Candidate Tom Fiegen, Congressman Leonard Boswell

WHAT: Tama County Convention
WHEN: 1:00pm
WHERE: South Tama Elementary School
1611 Country Club Dr
Tama, IA
SPEAKERS: Candidate for Secretary of Agriculture Francis Thicke, Congressman Leonard Boswell

WHAT: Wapello County Convention
WHEN: 9:00am
WHERE: UFCW Hall
1305 E. Mary St
Ottumwa, IA
SPEAKERS: Senate Candidate Tom Fiegen

WHAT: Woodbury County Convention
WHEN: 10:00am
WHERE: West High School
2001 Casselman
Sioux City, IA
SPEAKERS: First Lady Mari Culver, Congressional Candidate Mike Denklau (5th CD)

Governor Chet Culver has signed a bill into law that immediately allows for state inspections of commercial dog kennels that draw public complaints.

Breeders who are raising four or more dogs would have to pay a new licensing fee and register with the state. Culver calls that a “seal of approval” which reputable breeders can present to families hoping to adopt a pet. Read full article…

Culver Signs Government Reorganization Bill
From KCRG

Gov. Chet Culver has signed into law a restructuring of state government projected to trim $127 million from next year’s budget and help close a projected shortfall.

Speaking Wednesday at a bill signing ceremony, Culver noted that when coupled with an earlier retirement incentive program and reductions he’s ordered on his own authority, the state has cut $270 million from next year’s $5.3 billion budget. Read full article…

Lt. Governor Patty Judge makes a stop in Sioux City
From KTIV

Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge made a stop in Sioux City today as part of her “Moving Iowa Forward” tour.

Judge spoke at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center about a program called I-Jobs. Read full article…

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Chris Van Hollen today announced the leadership for the Red to Blue program and additional assistance with incumbent protection.

DCCC Vice Chair Bruce Braley (IA) will join Representatives Allyson Schwartz (PA), Patrick Murphy (PA), and Donna Edwards (MD) as chairs of the Red to Blue Program for the 2010 cycle. The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support. The very successful fundraising effort helped raise more than $26 million for Red to Blue candidates last cycle. Read full story…

The fight for students
From the Daily Iowan

The House passed the bill 253-171. Iowa Democrats Bruce Braley, David Loebsack, and Leonard Boswell voted for the bill; Republicans Steve King and Tom Latham voted against it. I hope all Republicans who voted “no” or are obstructing this important piece of legislation will be held accountable come November. But what’s keeping the benefits of greater financial aid from millions of students are the efforts of a few banks. Read full article…

Move afoot to protect teacher pay
From the Des Moines Register

A legislative plan to spare teacher pay from the chopping block has set the stage for a showdown between cash-strapped school leaders and teacher advocates who pushed for higher pay.

State lawmakers who decided to boost Iowa’s teacher pay in 2007 now want to protect that money from Gov. Chet Culver’s 10 percent, across-the-board budget cut, ordered in October, and similar reductions in years ahead. They also want to shield money for teacher training and efforts to keep class sizes in check. Read full article…

Last week, we told you about the option on your income tax form to earmark $1.50 for the Iowa Democratic Party.

And, that’s why I am writing you today. This money is specifically used for office needs and is vital to keeping the lights on and the coffee pot full here at the office. Most importantly, it means we can spend our money helping elect good Democrats up and down the ballot.

Take a look at our video, pass it on to your friends and family, and check the box on your income tax forms.

Checking the box on your income taxes forms is an easy way for you to help, and to ask your friends to join you. It’s an easy thing to ask them because it doesn’t reduce your return or increase your payment.

Be sure to tell your friends, family, neighbors, or your tax professional that you want to check the box for the Iowa Democratic Party.

All the best,

Michael Kiernan
Chair, Iowa Democratic Party

Iowans aren’t having it. Two letters today describe his pleas “sophomoric” and “disingenuous” by trying to pass the buck.

Take a gander:

‘Everybody’s doing it’ lame excuse for vote

Sen. Charles Grassley made Iowans proud when he entered the Senate and began demanding accountability for expenditures by the Pentagon. How things have changed. His letter in the March 2 Register is nothing more than typical political buck passing.

Read full letter…

GOP cut taxes twice using reconciliation

Sen. Charles Grassley’s letter of March 2 on the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts was more than just a bit disingenuous, as he tried to shift the blame for the nation’s devastating debt. If there was such broad support for the 2001 cuts, why did the Republicans make use of the budget reconciliation process to pass them?

…this $500,000 debt per American citizen falls right at your doorstep and those of your fellow Republicans. You gave us tax cuts for the rich and 45,000 American deaths each year for lack of health care.

Read full letter…

Democratic U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell will seek an eighth term in office.

That’s despite speculation from some Republicans that he would retire.

The 76-year-old representative from Iowa filed paperwork with the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office on Friday. The Iowa primary is June 8. Read full story…

Loebsack cites flaw in homebuyer tax credit
From the Des Moines Register

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack wants Congress to fix what he says is a loophole in the federal tax credit for couples who own a home and want to buy a new one.

Loebsack, a Democrat, said a newly married Iowa couple found they failed to qualify for the $6,500 federal tax credit for existing homeowners. While the husband had owned a home for five of the past eight years, his wife was a new homeowner. “What my constituents found is that if one spouse hasn’t lived in the same principal residence for those five years … neither spouse is eligible to receive any assistance,” Loebsack wrote House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Read full story…

Iowa’s economy could see a boost by summer
From the Des Moines Register

The governor’s 13-member Council of Economic Advisers reviewed work force and personal income trends that members said are encouraging. Personal income growth is expected to be around 1.8 percent this year, compared to 1.2 percent predicted in December, according to Charles Whiteman, the interim director of the University of Iowa Institute for Economic Research.

During a taping of the public television program “Iowa Press” earlier in the day, Whiteman said he thinks Iowa’s economy might pick up this summer but will likely stay relatively flat through the spring, according to the Associated Press. Read full story…

“Iowa Democrats have had great successes over the last few years that we now need to maintain those hard-fought victories,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.

Kiernan continued, “Derek will be the guy to get the job done, and we are very excited to have him join us.”

Derek will oversee the Coordinated Campaign, which will focus heavily on organizing the grassroots, from volunteer coordination to get-out the vote-programs.

“My job is to build on the organization already put into place by the Iowa Democratic Party so that Democrats win here in November. I am confident we can do that and I am eager to get the Coordinated Campaign underway,” said Eadon.

Eadon is a 2006 Coordinated Campaign veteran, working as a field organizer in the Cedar Rapids area. He then became the first field organizer hired in Iowa for President Obama’s campaign, and he worked for the Obama campaign throughout the 2008 election. Prior to this, Eadon was the Iowa State Director for Organizing for America.

Derek Eadon started in his new position as Coordinated Campaign Director this week.