Proclamation to aid farmers in hauling harvest in an efficient and effective manner

 

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today signed a proclamation to allow the transportation of overweight loads of soybeans, corn, hay, straw, silage and stover.  The proclamation takes effect today, September 25, 2015, and expires after 60 days.

"I am pleased today to sign this proclamation to allow Iowa farmers to move their crop yields in an effective and efficient manner," said Branstad. "Iowa's farmers are a critical component of Iowa's economy and this proclamation will ensure they're able to transport their crop ahead of deteriorating weather conditions."

"Governor Branstad and I continue to look for ways in which government can assist Iowans and today's harvest weight proclamation is another way we're able to ensure producers can get their yield out of the fields and to market," said Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds.

This proclamation is intended to allow vehicles transporting soybeans, corn, hay, straw, silage and stover to be overweight, not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight, without a permit, but only for the duration of this proclamation.  This action is intended to allow loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system, and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code §321.463(5) (b), by more than twelve and one-half percent (12.5%), do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is directed to monitor the operation of this proclamation to assure the public's safety and facilitate the movement of the trucks involved.

The signed proclamation can be found here.

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that they will travel to Cedar Rapids on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015, for the dedication of a "Buddy Bench" at Arthur Elementary, 2630 B Ave. NE, and make an announcement regarding the administration's efforts to end bullying in Iowa's schools.

Former Arthur Elementary student Isaac Taylor wrote the governor's office in June about his Buddy Bench project, which grew out of his desire to stop bullying at school. Isaac, who is now in middle school, has been working to raise money with the goal of installing Buddy Benches on at least 17 additional school playgrounds in the Cedar Rapids area to foster friendship.  Six benches have been purchased so far. The Buddy Bench idea, Isaac said, originated with a student in Pennsylvania. The governor and lt. governor will join Arthur's faculty, staff and students when Isaac cuts the Buddy Bench ribbon on the Arthur Elementary playground.

At the conclusion of the Buddy Bench dedication, Branstad and Reynolds will make an announcement regarding their anti-bullying efforts. For three years, Governor Branstad, First Lady Chris Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds have worked to put policies in place to ensure that every student feels safe and respected at school. The announcement Monday will advance the governor's, first lady's and lt. governor's priority of preventing bullying in Iowa's schools.

The event will replace the administration's weekly news conference. Following the conclusion of the event, the governor and lt. governor will hold media availability.

Monday, September 28, 2015

1:30 p.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds attend "Buddy Bench" dedication event and make announcement regarding administration's anti-bullying efforts in Iowa

Arthur Elementary - School playground

2630 B Ave. NE,

Cedar Rapids, IA

 

 

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(DES MOINES) - Five U.S. governors, six Chinese governors and officials of both countries will meet at a forum on Tuesday afternoon in Seattle and will later meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss opportunities for collaboration on clean technology and economic development.

Participants in the Third U.S.-China Governors' Forum will discuss areas of shared interest and mutual benefit, such as the promotion of energy efficiency in buildings and industries, commercialization and deployment of clean and renewable energy technologies, smart and modernized electrical grids, clean transportation options and more. This dialogue grows out of ongoing collaborations between each nation's national and subnational leaders to accelerate the development of clean energy economies and more.

The bipartisan group of U.S. governors includes Governor Jerry Brown (D-California), Governor Rick Snyder (R-Michigan), Governor Terry Branstad (R-Iowa), and Governor Kate Brown (D-Oregon). Governor Jay Inslee (D-Washington), who will be hosting Chinese President Xi at a separate event during the same time, will attend a portion of the meeting.

Chinese governors in attendance will be Sichuan Party Secretary Wang Dongming, Beijing Mayor Wang Anshun, Chongqing Mayor Huang Qifan, Zhejiang Governor Li Qiang, Shandong Governor Guo Shuqing, and Shaanxi Governor Lou Qinjian.

The president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Madame Li Xiaolin, will provide opening remarks, as co-host of the forum. California Governor Brown and Sichuan Party Secretary Wang Dongming will co-chair the forum. Officials from the U.S and Chinese national governments and the National Governors Association are also expected to be in attendance.

Later on Tuesday, the governors will meet privately with President Xi.

This event is only open to a limited pool of credentialed reporters. An updated advisory with contact information will be sent prior to the forum.

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Branstad testifies on behalf of the National Governor's Association and The Council of Governors

(ARLINGTON, Va.) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today delivered testimony before the National Commission on the Future of the Army in Arlington, Virginia.

"I encourage you to consider the Army National Guard's capabilities, value, and strategic importance for our states and the nation's security.  As Iowa's Commander-in-Chief, I want to ensure that our National Guard continues to remain an operational force as part of the Total Army, while delivering on the state mission," said Branstad.  "Governors urge this Commission to consider recommendations that will preserve the Army Guard's role as the combat reserve of the Army, resource and equip the Army Guard to meet both federal and state needs, and leverage the Guard's cost-effectiveness and operational capability as part of a Total Army solution for the future.  To do otherwise would risk wasting billions of dollars invested over the past decade in making the Guard an experienced, globally deployable and combat-ready force."

The governor's full testimony, as prepared for delivery, is as follows:

Chairman Ham, Vice Chairman Lamont and distinguished members of the Commission, I am Governor Terry Branstad from Iowa and co-chair of the Council of Governors. I am pleased to join Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to testify on behalf of the National Governors Association, or NGA, and the Council of Governors, or Council.

We have submitted joint written remarks that we ask you to include in the formal record of today's proceedings. In the interest of time, Governor Dayton and I will each make a brief statement to provide you with additional state perspective.

I would like to thank the Commission for this opportunity to provide governors' views on the future of the Army.  We appreciate the Commission's efforts to seek governors' thoughts during your examination of the Army's force structure and aviation restructuring proposals. Governors particularly appreciated the participation of Vice Chairman Lamont and Commissioner Stultz during the NGA Summer Meeting in July.

Through NGA and the Council of Governors, we have made progress working with the Department of Defense to improve coordination and understanding of military issues between states and the federal government.  Since the beginning of the Council of Governors, we have worked with our federal partners to address issues affecting the security of our states and the nation.

As Co-Chair of the Council of Governors since 2011, I have seen firsthand the challenges and struggles that our federal partners have in handling major budget decisions. Governors also face difficult budget decisions.

The need for more robust dialogue led to the 2013 National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force.  I was pleased to see that through a collaborative process, 42 total force recommendations were submitted for consideration.  And the Air Force leadership embraced all but two recommendations.

I'm optimistic that through this Commission's efforts there will be as much progress bringing Army components together as we saw within the Air Force following the Air Force Commission. I encourage you to consider the Army National Guard's capabilities, value, and strategic importance for our states and the nation's security.  As Iowa's Commander-in-Chief, I want to ensure that our National Guard continues to remain an operational force as part of the Total Army, while delivering on the state mission.

I have witnessed many times the critical role that the National Guard plays for our nation.  In the last 13 years, we have mobilized more than 17,000 Iowa National Guardsmen and women for combat and combat support duties in Iraq and Afghanistan, peacekeeping duties in the Balkans and on the Sinai Peninsula, and for other operational missions around the globe.  Approximately 4,000 currently-serving Iowa National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are combat veterans, more than 45 percent of our force, the highest percentage in modern history.  And our men and women have operated in more than 35 different nations since 9/11.

In 2006-2007, during the Iraq surge, one of Iowa's infantry battalions was mobilized for over 22 months, making it one of the longest deployments for an Army unit during the Iraq war.  In 2010-2011, Iowa's 2nd Brigade Combat Team deployed in its entirety to Afghanistan, supporting the 101st Airborne Division's mission by conducting full-spectrum operations along the eastern border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Last January, one of Iowa's medical units was alerted to deploy in support of the West Africa Ebola mission, before it was cancelled due to changing demands managing the disease. Since the beginning of Operation Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, the Iowa National Guard has met every required operational assignment for deployment and has performed superbly.

While I understand the Army is facing difficult budget challenges, I believe that recent efforts to cut Army Guard force structure and remove the Guard's Apache helicopters is a step backwards and would make lasting, irreversible changes to the Guard.  It would undo years of progress by returning the Army Guard to a pre-9/11 role and fail to leverage its cost-effectiveness in retaining mission capability at home and overseas.

Specifically, the Army's Aviation Restructuring Initiative undermines the Guard's ability to augment the Army as its combat reserve and fails to leverage the National Guard's cost-effectiveness to retain additional manpower, expertise, and attack aircraft at a reduced cost to taxpayers.  I would agree that Apache aircraft have limited application for the homeland mission; however, I value and recognize the broader, long-term importance that strategic depth for the total force provides to states and the nation.

The Army also proposed reducing Army Guard end strength to its lowest level since the Korean War.  National Guard personnel, equipment and capabilities are key resources built into our states' emergency response plans and the federal National Response Framework.  The National Guard also has the unique ability to perform law enforcement functions that have proven valuable in the response to natural disasters, episodes of civil unrest and other national special security events.  These capabilities are enhanced by well-developed relationships with state and county emergency managers and local law enforcement agencies.

The turbulence created by force structure and personnel cuts affects people, readiness, training, equipment and facilities.  This all comes with a cost to implement, which the National Guard Bureau estimates would be about $179 million in its first year.  Funding to cover these costs was not included in the Army's fiscal year 2016 budget.  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the cuts to Army Guard personnel would save the Army $170 million in its first year - $9 million less than the unfunded implementation costs. When these costs and long-term effects are considered, governors believe it simply does not make sense to implement the Army's proposals.  While some reductions to Army Guard force structure may ultimately be necessary, they should be done through a collaborative approach that considers future needs, limits turbulence, and maintains Guard readiness.

I would like to recommend that the following principles guide your work:

The National Guard must continue to serve as an operational force and the combat reserve for the Total Force;

The National Guard is a highly trained, battle tested asset that should continue to be properly resourced and equipped to meet the needs of both the federal government and states; and

The National Guard's cost-effectiveness should be leveraged to the fullest extent to meet the fiscal and operational challenges confronting the Total Army.

As the Army is forced to evolve in the wake of declining budgets and continuing global instability, I hope this Commission will help bring the Total Army together to address these challenges in partnership.

Governors urge this Commission to consider recommendations that will preserve the Army Guard's role as the combat reserve of the Army, resource and equip the Army Guard to meet both federal and state needs, and leverage the Guard's cost-effectiveness and operational capability as part of a Total Army solution for the future.  To do otherwise would risk wasting billions of dollars invested over the past decade in making the Guard an experienced, globally deployable and combat-ready force.

I will continue to advocate for a strong Guard that is "Always Ready - Always There."  The Commission is an important voice in this endeavor.  On behalf of the State of Iowa, and my fellow governors, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.

 

I look forward to hearing Governor Dayton's perspective and answering any questions you may have.

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Lt. Governor unveils the designation at the community's Bus Tour and Official's Cookout

(WEST DES MOINES) - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced last night that West Des Moines has achieved the Home Base Iowa Community designation. West Des Moines is now the 21st community in the state to achieve this recognition. The designation was unveiled at the community's Bus Tour and Official's Cookout, an event designed to showcase West Des Moines' newest projects and expansion plans, as well as the opportunity to network with business leaders and elected officials from local, state and federal government.

"It is such an honor to add another Home Base Iowa community to the list," said Reynolds. "Iowa counties and cities are really stepping up to support the Home Base Iowa effort. We are so proud to offer such a warm welcome to veterans and transitioning service members."

Home Base Iowa connects transitioning military members and veterans with career opportunities in Iowa companies. The state of Iowa has a lot to offer veterans and transitioning service members including no state taxes on military pension, a cost of living below the national average and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. To date, members of the Iowa Business Council, Iowa's largest employers, have hired more than 1,300 employees through Home Base Iowa.

"As we travel around the state, we hear from our businesses that they need skilled workers," commented Governor Terry Branstad. "Veterans and transitioning military members are exactly the kind of employees that our companies need. They show up equipped with skills including teamwork, dedication, a strong work ethic and problem-solving abilities that have been tested in some of the toughest situations imaginable."

Home Base Iowa designates qualified communities as centers of opportunity for military veterans based on four standards: 10 percent of hiring businesses within a designated community must become Home Base Iowa businesses, each community develops its own incentive package for veterans, the community prominently displays the Home Base Iowa Community designation, and obtains a resolution of support from the appropriate local governing body. Grimes has met the criteria and is offering an incentive package that includes various discounts for veterans as well as economic development guidance and assistance to any veteran seeking to start or locate a business within the community.

The Home Base Iowa is a unique non-profit private-public partnership that focuses on recruiting veterans and active duty service members for quality, well-paying private-sector jobs in Iowa.

  • In March, Iowa was named one of only a handful of states to be designated an All-Vet State by "Hiring Our Heroes," a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
  • In June, Iowa was named as the first state to offer "Hilton Honors Military Initiative." This is a program set up by Hilton Worldwide, and connects military members and their families across the nation with free lodging at Hilton hotels as they pursue their job hunt, or need somewhere to stay as they move for their careers.
  • In July, Iowa was named the third "Get Skills to Work State" by the Manufacturing Institute and National Association of Manufacturers.

The initiative is currently co-chaired by Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey's CEO Bob Meyers, both of whom are veterans themselves. For more information on Home Base Iowa, please visit www.HomeBaseIowa.gov.

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. E. Terry Branstad today signed a proclamation directing a special election to be held on Nov. 3, 2015, for Iowa House District 5, following the resignation of Chuck Soderberg who recently announced his resignation after being named as the new executive vice president for the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.

House District 5 is comprised of Plymouth and a portion of Woodbury counties. The district includes the communities of Akron, Hinton, Le Mars, Lawton, Moville, and Pierson.  A full district map can be found here.

Iowa Code 69.14 outlines the authority given to the governor to set a special election. The proclamation setting the date of the special election can be found here.

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(DES MOINES) -Governor Branstad today appointed David M. Porter as judge to the District Court in the 5C Judicial District.  Porter was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Richard G. Blane.

Porter, 38, of Johnston, currently serves as an Assistant Polk County Attorney.  Previously he served as an Assistant County Attorney in Wapello County and served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Drake University School of Law and as a Certified Legal Instructor for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy.  Porter received his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in 2000 and his law degree from Drake University in 2004.

"David Porter's intellect and strong work ethic make him well-suited for the district court," Branstad noted.  He further stated, "Mr. Porter is a skilled and talented attorney who has shown leadership in the courtroom and in his community as well."

Porter serves as a mentor with ManUp Iowa which serves as a group mentoring agency that provide a host of resources that assist in young men leading healthy and successful lives.  He competed nationally in Moot Court and Mock Trial teams while in law school and undergraduate school, receiving multiple awards and accolades.  Additionally, he served as Vice President of the Black Law Student Association, a representative on the Student Bar Association and a member of the Blackstone Inn of Court.

District 5 consists of the following counties: Adair, Adams, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Guthrie, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Polk, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Warren and Wayne.

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for two counties in response to recent severe weather.

The governor's proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of severe storm systems that affected Guthrie and Hamilton counties beginning Aug. 28, 2015, and continuing. In addition, the proclamation also activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for Guthrie and Hamilton counties.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $40,180, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

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The U.S. Department of Labor highlights Iowa as a national success model

 

(DES MOINES) -Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today was joined at the administration's weekly press conference by Jason Shanks of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 33 and Duane Boswell of TMC Transportation to highlight the growth and importance of apprenticeships to their respective organizations.  U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) data has shown Iowa as one of the top four states in the nation in terms of active apprentice growth from federal fiscal year 2013 to federal fiscal year 2014.

WATCH THE DOL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTING IOWA AS A LEADER IN APPRENTICESHIPS HERE

"As I travel around Iowa, I constantly hear from employers who are in need of a skilled workforce?especially in manufacturing, information technology, STEM and health-related fields," said Reynolds. "Our focus on apprenticeships in Iowa is a key avenue to fill the skills gap for employers and empower Iowans with rewarding careers.  Growing our talent pipeline is essential for the 21st century global economy."

Registered apprenticeships are a proven approach to preparing workers for in-demand jobs and meeting the needs of business for a highly skilled workforce that can innovate and adapt.  They also allow students and workers of all ages to earn a paycheck and avoid debt while crafting skills.  Advancing work-based learning, like apprenticeships, is a key focus area of the Future Ready Iowa initiative.

In 2014, Gov. Terry E. Branstad signed the Iowa Apprenticeship and Job Training Act which tripled the funding for apprenticeships on an annual basis while reforming and improving the state's apprenticeship program.  The standing appropriation for registered apprenticeships is just over $3 million. 

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today ordered flags be flown at half-staff Friday, September 11, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in remembrance of those killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Flags will be flown at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

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