28 Mar 2011

Harkin: $2.9 Million Coming to Iowa to Turn Around Lowest Achieving Schools

By Sen. Tom Harkin
Washington, D.C. - March 25, 2011 - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Education's had awarded Iowa $2.9 million through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program to turn around its persistently lowest achieving schools. Harkin is the Chairman of the Senate panel that funds education initiatives and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

"Investing in our children's future means directing resources where they are needed most.  When schools consistently have low graduation rates, it is important we focus our attention there," Harkin said.  "Today's funding is a step in the right direction.  It will help districts take the necessary steps to improve their weakest schools.   And, it could not have come at a better time for districts that are already struggling with tough budgeting decisions."

The $2.9 million made available to Iowa is being distributed by formula to the state and will then be competed out by the state to school districts. Iowa's application, which includes its list of persistently lowest-achieving schools, as defined by the state, can be found here.

School districts will apply to the state for the funds this spring.  When school districts apply, they must indicate that they will implement reforms to the lowest achieving schools.

Once schools receive SIG funds, they will be able to begin to spend them immediately to turn around schools this fall.  Iowa may apply to the Education Department for a waiver to allow them to spend funds over a three-year period.
28 Mar 2011

Harkin Announces More than $1,000,000 to Help Iowans Become More Economically Self-Sufficient

By Sen. Tom Harkin

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that a total of $1,034,954 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be coming to thirteen communities across Iowa.  These funds will provide assistance to public and private groups to enable participating families to increase earned income and financial literacy and to reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance that these individuals are now receiving. Harkin is a Senior Member of the Appropriations Committee that allocates funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

"I am pleased to see that so many Iowans will have access to assistance designed to help them become self-sufficient and no longer in need of government help," said Harkin. "It is very important for Iowans to know how to both spend wisely and be able to increase their incomes. This funding is designed to help individuals do just that."

The funds are provided by the HUD Housing Choice Voucher-Family Self Sufficiency Program. The FSS program and the FSS NOFA support the department's strategic goal of utilizing housing as a platform for improving quality of life by helping HUD-assisted renters increase economic security and self-sufficiency.    

Details of those receiving the grants are below.

  • Central Iowa Region Housing Authority, $57,529
  • City of Cedar Rapids, $138,000
  • City of Des Moines Municipal Agency, $132,973
  • City of Dubuque Housing and CD Department, $63,478
  • City of Sioux City Housing Authority, $138,000
  • Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority, $133,940
  • Iowa City Housing Authority, $54,394
  • Mid Iowa Regional Housing Authority $47,055
  • Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs, $85,570
  • City of Muscatine, $55,309
  • Region XII Regional Housing Authority, $45,000
  • Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority, $43,850
24 Mar 2011

Harkin Lauds USDA Expansion of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program

By Sen. Tom Harkin
Lawmaker authored the 2002 pilot program and then expanded it in 2008 farm bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today released the following statement on a USDA announcement that it will expand assistance to state agencies for schools participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  This year, USDA will provide $158 million nationwide to state agencies - over $2.3 million to Harkin's home state of Iowa - who in turn provide the funding to schools participating in the program.  As the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Harkin authored the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in the 2002 farm bill as a pilot program to bring healthy foods to children at school.  Because of the rapid success of the program, in the 2008 farm bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act), Harkin was able to expand the program nationwide with a focus on elementary schools with a high proportion of low-income students. When the 2008 bill's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is fully implemented, it will reach as many as 3 million elementary school children nationwide.

"As our nation works to ensure the health and nutrition of our children, one of the simplest things we can do is provide students with healthy, delicious alternatives to unhealthy snacks," said Harkin.  "The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program does just that by bringing fresh produce into schools - particularly to low-income students who may not otherwise have access to these nutritious foods.  The program has shown to be a tremendous success.  Both teachers and parents notice a change in student behavior and attentiveness, and kids love the great-tasting snacks.  At the same time, we are reducing long-term health care costs by raising a generation of children less likely to get sick or develop a chronic illness such as diabetes.

"I commend Secretary Vilsack for his hard work in implementing the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and for his tireless efforts to promote the health of America's children.  As we begin initial discussions on the next farm bill, it is my hope that we will be able to expand this program even further and that we continue to work on other programs that increase the health and well-being of our nation's children."

Harkin has been a senate leader for over a decade in efforts to fight childhood obesity.  Information on these efforts can be found here.
18 Mar 2011

Harkin Announces Over $7 Million for 2010-11 School Improvement Grants

By Sen. Tom Harkin
91 Iowa school districts to receive Harkin Grants to repair, modernize and build new schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the Iowa Department of Education is set to distribute $7,068,390 in federal funds to 91 Iowa school districts for the 13th year of the Harkin Grants program.  Since 1998, Harkin has secured $132.6 million for the initiative, the first of its kind in the nation, to repair, modernize and build new schools.  Because of the local match requirements, districts across Iowa have leveraged their Harkin Grants to raise more than $536 million in additional funds.  Harkin chairs the Senate panel that funds education initiatives and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

"All kids deserve safe, modern schools and well-equipped classrooms in which to learn.  These grants have been leveraged by communities across Iowa to finance upgrades and construction projects, which have the dual effect of improving our schools and creating local jobs," said Senator Harkin. "These grants are a great investment in Iowa communities and Iowa children."

Harkin's school construction demonstration program is intended to show that a modest infusion of federal resources can significantly contribute to the repair needs of school districts across the state.  Because of the local match requirements, districts have been very successful in leveraging their Harkin Grants to pass more generous school budgets and to raise private funds.

Details of the grant allocations follow.

-- School Construction and Modernization Grants: $4,594,455 will be available to fund new construction, remodeling, and renovation projects in 13 districts.  These funds require a local match of 75 percent of the project.

-- Fire Safety Grants: $3,181,914 will be available to fund projects to remedy fire safety defects in 78 districts. This includes new grant funds of $2,473,935 and $707,979 dollars in carry over funds.  All school districts that requested grant funds for fire safety projects received funding. No local match is required.

For a complete list of grants and project details, please click here for Fire Safety Grants and here for a separate list for School Construction and Modernization Grants.

18 Mar 2011

Health coverage is freedom

By Sen. Tom Harkin
By: Sen. Tom Harkin
March 14, 2011 04:30 AM EDT

One year ago this week, President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law, ensuring quality, affordable health coverage to all Americans, cracking down on the worst abuses by health insurance companies and placing a new emphasis on wellness and disease prevention.

Yet today, there is a misguided effort to repeal the law. The fight to provide access to quality, affordable health care for all has only just begun.

The good news is that this time around, the debate dynamics have shifted. As people learn more about the long-overdue reforms in the Affordable Care Act ? including benefits and consumer protections now guaranteed by law ? support for health care reform is growing steadily.

A year ago, we were bogged down in the messy, frustrating politics of passing the bill. Now, what's at stake is crystal clear: Are we going to put health insurance companies back in the driver's seat to discriminate based on pre-existing conditions and return to the abuses and discriminatory practices of the past? Are we going to revoke access to health insurance for more than 30 million Americans? Are we going to add hundreds of billions of dollars to the deficit by wiping out the savings in the Affordable Care Act? The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the law will reduce the deficit by $210 billion in the first decade and by more than $1 trillion in the second decade.

The law's jewel in the crown is ending denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions. It is a sobering fact that nearly half of nonelderly Americans have some type of pre-existing condition ? like high blood pressure, arthritis or heart disease. Similarly, the law bans the outrageous practice of canceling policies when people get sick. Gone are the days when the largest health insurer in California could use technicalities to cancel the policies of women who get breast cancer.

The law also prohibits insurers from imposing lifetime limits on benefits, and it allows parents to keep their children on their policies until age 26.

Americans will not allow these hard-earned protections and benefits to be taken away.

Conservatives attack the provision of the law requiring people to purchase health insurance. They claim it is an "assault on freedom." Well, it is an assault on freedom for people to go without insurance, seek treatment in emergency rooms and stick other Americans with their health care bills. Uncompensated health care adds an estimated $1,100 a year to every family's health insurance premiums.

The individual mandate is just common sense ? that's why so many Republicans supported it in the past. Indeed, as governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney put an individual mandate at the center of his state's health reform law. By eliminating free riders and putting everyone in the risk pool, we keep rates down for everyone. This is the only way people with pre-existing conditions are not denied affordable coverage.

When we join together, we have more freedom. When everyone is covered and no one is left out, we enhance liberty. Health reform is all about freedom. Freedom from the fear that if you get sick, you won't be able to afford a doctor. Freedom from the fear that a major illness will lead to financial ruin. These are the practical freedoms that matter to Americans.

With this landmark law, we are beginning to replace the current sick care system with a genuine health care system ? focused on wellness and prevention. We are beginning to reward health care providers for the quality of care they provide, not just the quantity.

The Affordable Care Act is not perfect. It is not like the Ten Commandments, chiseled in stone. It's more like a starter home ? suitable for improvement.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sensible changes as we continue to implement the law. I invite them to bring their tool kits, rather than their sledgehammers, so we can work together to improve the law.

The choice is to go forward or be dragged backward. The great majority of people wants to go forward to build a reformed health care system that works not only for the healthy and wealthy ? but for all Americans.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
17 Mar 2011

Harkin: Iowa House Republicans Using Teachers, Public Employees as a Political Scapegoat

By Sen. Tom Harkin
Passage of House File 525 a huge disappointment for Iowa's working families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), issued the following statement after the Iowa House of Representatives voted 56 to 39 to pass a measure that restricts the collective bargaining rights of public workers.

"Following Wisconsin's vote earlier this week, I was hopeful that Iowa's House Republicans would choose a different path, and not resort to using our public sector workers - our friends and neighbors - as a political scapegoat.  Unfortunately, today they voted to strip Iowa's public servants of meaningful collective bargaining rights.  It is a shameful thing to do to those who work so hard for the public good, and it will only undermine the economic recovery of our great state.  

"Let's not forget who we are really talking about.  We are talking about the police officers and firefighters that put their lives on the line to keep our families safe.  We are talking about the elementary school teachers who make sure our kids know their ABCs.  Our public servants deserve respect - especially from our elected officials.  They did not cause the recession, and they do not deserve to be treated this way.

"Iowans have a very strong sense of community - they know that in tough times it's important to support your friends and neighbors and do all you can to lift people up, not tear them down.  Working families are facing unprecedented challenges, and it's time that we all come together to do whatever we can to help rebuild a strong middle class with good jobs, fair wages, and benefits.  My hope is that the Iowa Senate defeats this measure."

15 Mar 2011

Harkin Statement on Wisconsin Senate Vote

By Sen. Tom Harkin

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), tonight issued the following statement after the Wisconsin State Senate passed a measure that restricts the collective bargaining rights of public workers.

"I am appalled by the actions of the Republicans in Wisconsin.  They trampled over the democratic process, ramming through legislation taking away a fundamental right of Wisconsin's public servants - the right to organize.  The law has nothing to do with budgets.  It is blatant political scapegoating, and it is shameful.  Our elected leaders at every level of government should be focused on helping working families succeed, not tearing them down."

15 Mar 2011

Harkin Statement on the Budget Proposals Considered by the U.S. Senate Today

By Sen. Tom Harkin

March 9, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement on the budget proposals considered by the U.S. Senate today.  Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and chairman of its labor, health and education subcommittee.  He is also Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

"The contrast between these two proposals could not have been starker.  The House budget embodies the Republican approach to reducing deficits: one that is recklessly driven by ideology.  In fact, it holds the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy to be sacred, while taking a meat ax to essential parts of the budget - everything from cancer research to education to safety net programs for our most vulnerable citizens.  

"Economists agree that this proposal will kill jobs.  With nine percent unemployment and a fragile economy, why in the world would we pass a bill that we know will kill hundreds of thousands of jobs?  The Senate rightly rejected the House proposal.

"But the Democratic proposal offered a reasonable approach to budgeting - one that reduces the deficit without crippling our economic recovery, without slashing funding for priorities such as education or unfairly targeting the most vulnerable.   I supported this effort because of its balanced approach.

"As the two chambers work out the details of another funding proposal, my hope is that this same spirit of balance in budgeting will prevail and any new outline includes spending cuts and necessary revenue increases, while making room for critical investments in education, job training, infrastructure, and research - things that are essential for jobs now and for economic expansion and job creation in the years ahead."  

Senator Harkin's office compiled various analysis pieces on the impact of the House budget proposal on Iowa.  A compilation can be found here.

14 Mar 2011

Common Sense On: Applying to U.S. Military Academies

By Sen. Tom Harkin
By Senator Tom Harkin


As Iowa's high school students look past graduation, there are many great opportunities for them to consider.  One option, for those young people interested in military service, is our nation's military academies, which offer outstanding opportunities.  Following my graduation from Iowa State University in 1962, I served as a Navy pilot and understand both the challenges and rewards of a military career.  As a senator, it is a genuine honor to nominate outstanding young Iowans to military service academies.  For more information on how to apply for a nomination to a military academy, please keep reading.

Where are the military academies located and what can students study there?

Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Who is eligible to receive a recommendation?

Each applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements as of July 1st of the year of admission to an academy.  They must be at least 17 years old but not have passed their 23rd birthday; must be a U.S. citizen; must not be married, pregnant, or have legal obligations to support children or other dependents.  Nominees must be a resident of the state from which they are nominated.

For every opening I have at an academy, I can nominate an unranked slate of up to ten Iowans for that opening.  After evaluating my nomination slate, the academy will make the final decision on which nominee(s) will be offered a letter of acceptance to the academy.

What is the selection process to be nominated?

Most of Iowa's high school guidance counselors should have information about the application procedures that prospective candidates must follow.  I use a competitive method to screen applicants, which includes the evaluation of ACT or SAT scores, high school grade point average, leadership abilities and physical aptitude.  I have also appointed an academy selection committee to conduct personal interviews with academy finalists and provide me with their recommendations.  I review the applicant's file and the selection committee's recommendations prior to making my decision on who to nominate.  It is always a difficult choice.    

How do I begin the nomination application process?

I am currently accepting applications for nomination to the United States' military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2012.  Interested individuals should complete the Service Academy Nomination application, which can be found on my website http://harkin.senate.gov.   Any additional questions should be directed to my Academy Nomination Coordinator, Tom Larkin, at 319-365-4504.

The best of luck to all of you who apply.

###

01 Mar 2011

Harkin Solicits Interest in U.S. Military Academies

By Sen. Tom Harkin
Des Moines -- U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) announced today that he is accepting applications for nomination to the United States' military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2012.  Senator Harkin will nominate up to ten Iowans for every opening he has at each academy, with final selection for admission made by the individual academy form that group of ten. 

"Each year I look forward to recommending so many outstanding young Iowans to the service academies.  It is a genuine honor," Harkin said.

Our nation's military academies offer Iowans outstanding educational opportunities for young people interested in military service.  Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Harkin enjoyed a successful military career. He joined the Navy and served as a jet pilot after graduating from Iowa State University in 1962.

Most of the state's high school guidance counselors should have information about the application procedures prospective candidates must follow.  Senator Harkin uses a competitive method to screen applicants, including the evaluation of ACT or SAT scores, high school grade point average, leadership abilities, and physical aptitude.  Harkin has also appointed an academy selection committee that conducts personal interviews with academy finalists.

Interested individuals should complete Senator Harkin's Service Academy Nomination application which can be found on his website http://harkin.senate.gov.   Any additional questions should be directed to his Academy Nomination Coordinator, Tom Larkin, at 319-365-4504.

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