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Nov. 10, 2009 |
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Dear Friends:
With the 2010 legislative session set to begin on January 11, it is clear that balancing the budget will be the major issue. Today, for example, Iowa courts announced that they will be closing for ten unpaid furlough days between now and June 30, 2010. Yesterday, state workers and Governor Culver announced a plan to save nearly 500 jobs by taking 5 unpaid furlough days, subject to a vote by workers. I appreciate the willingness of Iowans to sacrifice in these hard times to save jobs.
Whatever short-term changes and hardships Iowans will experience, we also need to stay committed to our long-term success: better public safety, improved health and access to health care, educational excellence, environmental sustainability, disaster prevention and a vibrant, prosperous economy.
Clean Energy Jobs: Short-Term Stimulus, Long-Term Prosperity
In this email update, I want to focus on one strategy for economic success and environmental sustainability: clean energy jobs. These jobs hold the promise to stimulate our economy in the short run, provide long-term prosperity by weaning Iowa from the enormous costs of foreign oil and energy waste, and guard against the potential economic devastation of future climatic changes.
Clean energy jobs include retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency, constructing green buildings, manufacturing energy efficient vehicles and appliances, re-developing neighborhoods and communities that reduce travel requirements, growing biomass energy crops, and expanding Iowa’s wind and solar industries.
There are lots of things Iowans can do to participate in this emerging clean energy economy. As citizens, we can continue to support Iowa’s energy programs, such as the Iowa Power Fund and the Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program, as well as utility energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements. As consumers, we can buy energy efficient vehicles and products, use utility energy efficiency programs, and participate in renewable energy efforts like Alliant’s Second Nature program.
For people seeking employment in these industries, training programs like the carpentry program or the Iowa Wind Partnership through Kirkwood are possible places to start. In December, the Iowa Green Jobs Task Force, appointed by Governor Culver in August, will report on additional ways to expand Iowa’s clean energy workforce.
On Saturday, November 14, I-RENEW is hosting a solar photovoltaic workshop at Prairiewoods, 120 E. Boyson Road in Hiawatha, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I will be attending the start of the workshop and announcing a legislative proposal for 1,000 new solar energy projects across our state over the next five years. For more information about the workshop, visit www.irenew.org.
Legislative Preview Forum: Thursday, December 10, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
I will be holding my annual legislative preview on Thursday, December 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Four Oaks-The Bridge, 2100 First Ave. NE, in Cedar Rapids. This forum is a great opportunity to visit with you about issues likely to come up in the 2010 session and to hear your ideas for making Iowa better. Please mark your calendars now. I hope to see you there.
Other Upcoming Events
Sierra Club Chili Lunch & Silent Auction: Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Indian Creek Nature Center. The local Cedar-Wapsi Group of the Iowa Sierra Club will hold its annual chili lunch and silent auction on Saturday, November 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids. Cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids. Proceeds benefit both organizations. For more information, call Jan Aiels at 362-0664.
Sleep-Out for the Homeless: Saturday, Nov. 14, 5 p.m. – Sunday, Nov. 15, 7 a.m. at Green Square Park. The annual Sleep Out for the Homeless, sponsored by Linn County Veterans Affairs and others, will take place this weekend at Green Square Park in downtown Cedar Rapids. For more information, visit www.sleepoutforhomeless.org or call the Linn County VA at 892-5160.
“Flood Them with Love” Benefit Concert: Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m. at the Chrome Horse. The band Aeroroot will be performing a flood benefit concert on Saturday, November 14 starting at 8 p.m. at the Chrome Horse, 1202 Third Street SE, in Cedar Rapids. The suggested minimum donation is $10, and all proceeds go to “Flood Them with Love,” a local volunteer effort to help people recovering from the flood. Tax-deductible donations may be made by writing a check to “Horizons” and writing “Flood Them with Love” in the memo line.
Cedar Rapids City PTA Meeting: Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. at Peterson Hall at Coe College. The city PTA will be looking at the 2010 legislative session at its regular meeting on Thursday, November 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Cherry Auditorium in Peterson Hall on the campus of Coe College.
I hope this information is helpful. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Rob
State Senator Rob Hogg 2750 Otis Road SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 (319) 247-0223
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