IOWA INSIDER

JOHNSTON – Congressman Bruce Braley called criticisms that the federal Cash for Clunkers program did not significantly affect the fuel-efficiency of vehicles on America’s roads “absurd.”

An analysis of data by the Associated Press found that the most common deals replaced old pickups with new ones that got only marginally better gas mileage. However, fuel-efficient car models such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry also were among the top 10 new cars purchased through the program.

Braley said data collected showed that the average increase in mileage for the cars that were traded in and the cars that were bought was 9.2 miles per gallon.

“When you multiply that times the 700,000 vehicles that were placed on the road, it has an enormous impact on fuel-efficiency and on the environment,” Braley told reporters after a taping of Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press.”

Braley said most economists who have looked at the program agree that it is one of the most spectacularly successful short-term stimulus programs the federal government has ever passed.

Braley said the program put nearly 40,000 people back to work in manufacturing facilities making automobiles or component parts.

“I think it’s been an overwhelming success, and I’m very proud to have been one of the original sponsors,” Braley said.

When asked whether he would support a second round of Cash for Clunkers, Braley said he didn’t know. He expressed support for a “Cash for Caulkers” proposal that would help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

“It’s going to create a lot of economic opportunity for those that are involved in weatherizing and upgrading homes and businesses,” Braley said. “So I think that as we need to focus on creating jobs in this economy that it may be the type of thing that would make sense short term.”

He did not have an estimate of how much the plan would cost.

During the taping of the show, Braley called his recent vote in favor of the health care reform bill “one of the proudest votes I’ve ever taken on the House floor.”

He said it will improve access to health care for thousands of Iowans, increase reimbursement rates for health care providers, and give many seniors security that their drug benefits will improve.

Braley said he didn’t think the vote would make him vulnerable as he seeks re-election in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.

“If I take a tough vote like the one I did on health care, and it results in me not getting re-elected, I can live with that vote,” Braley said.

JOHNSTON – Two Iowa casinos have agreed to fines for admitting people who should not have been allowed inside.

The Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington was fined $20,000 for admitting an underage female who played a slot machine and was served an alcoholic beverage. A security supervisor questioned her identification and discovered she was underage.

The Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque was fined $3,000 for admitting a person who had signed up for the voluntary self-exclusion program. The program was created as a way for problem gamblers or anyone to ban themselves from Iowa casinos. In this instance, the individual signed up for the voluntary self-exclusion program and later was allowed to gamble at the facility. The individual enrolled in a players’ club account with the casino. The error was discovered during an audit of the casino’s players’ club accounts.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved the penalties at their meeting today.

DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver and the union representing the largest group of Iowa’s state employees announced an agreement to save nearly 500 state jobs by imposing furloughs and benefit reductions.

The deal with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Iowa Council 61 must still be approved by the union’s membership. Voting is expected to begin no later than Nov. 19.

The agreement includes five mandatory unpaid furlough days between now and June 30, which is expected to save about $22.7 million.

The state’s contribution to employees’ deferred compensation also will be temporarily suspended until June 30, for a savings of $3.7 million.

The total savings of $26.4 million is expected to save 479 AFSCME jobs. Culver sought concessions from the union in order to avoid the layoffs of state workers, especially state troopers and correctional officers working in state prisons.

Under the terms of the agreement, no member of the union who is an executive branch employee can be laid off until June 30, the end of the current fiscal year. Employees outside the bargaining units who are laid off will not be allowed to displace AFSCME employees.

“I want to thank the leadership at AFSCME for joining with us to save these essential public service jobs,” Culver said in a statement. “This understanding will help preserve vital services for Iowans while meeting our obligation to balance the state budget. This is a positive step forward and I encourage the membership to vote yes on this measure.”
Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan said the union worked with Culver to save as many jobs as possible.

“We thank the governor for giving us the opportunity to sit down with him and have input on this issue,” Homan said in a statement. Homan has scheduled a news conference this afternoon to discuss the agreement.