Supported Projects by Encouraging Funding from DOT

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today announced that Iowa will receive $2,123,916 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration for highway related projects. Braley wrote numerous letters of support for Iowa highway improvement projects to the DOT.

"These improvements will enhance infrastructure and promote travel across Iowa.  They're important not only for transportation, but for creating jobs and improving the economy," said Braley. "I am proud to support improvements in safety and better roads for Iowans and tourists to enjoy."

Details of the funding are listed below:

2012 TCSP Improving Access, Enhancing Lives, Dubuque, Iowa - $600,000

Funding will be used to convert three key streets - 9^th Street, 11^th Street and Elm Street into complete streets. This would promote alternative modes of transportation like walking and biking, reducing vehicle miles travelled and air pollution. http://go.usa.gov/G8k

2012 NSBP Iowa Great River Road National Scenic Byway Signage - $346,160

The project will install 738 byway route guide and entrance signs along the 328-mile Iowa Great River Road to provide a reliable wayfinding system. http://go.usa.gov/G8B

2012 NSBP Great River Road Marquette Overlook - $332,800

Funding will be used to improve the Marquette-Joliet Bridge scenic overlook observation deck to provide visitors with ample viewing opportunities from two new and improved viewpoints. http://go.usa.gov/G8p

2012 NSBP Great River Road Mississippi River Trail in Riverdale - $494,956

This project will construct a critical 1.3 mile section of the Mississippi River Trail along Iowa's Great River Road for education, recreation, and alternative transportation users.

2012 IBRD Amish Sawmill Bridge on Dillon Ave. south of 135 St., Buchanan - $350,000

This funding is proposing to replace an existing deficient bridge with a new structure using a bent steel blate girder section supported on Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) abutments and promote accelerate bridge construction while increasing safety and use of GRS abutments.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Iowa will receive $5,035,316 for highway-related projects. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration. Harkin is a member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department.

"Providing Iowa with the resources to improve and strengthen its scenic highways keeps Iowa thriving," said Harkin.  "These grant will help to make some of Iowa's most beautiful areas more attractive to tourists and local residents."

Details of the projects below:

Great River Road Mississippi River Trail in Riverdale - $494,956 to build a 1.3 mile mixed use trail with interpretive signage and "nature walk" education area. The trail will parallel U.S. Highway 67 in Riverdale.

Amish Sawmill Bridge - $350,000 to renovate the bridge on Dillon Avenue, south of 135th street in Buchanan County.

Iowa Great River Road National Scenic Byway Signage - $ 346,160 to install 738 byway route guide and entrance signs along the 328-mile Iowa Great River Road along the Mississippi River.

Great River Road Port Louisa Rest Area - $200,000 to build a rest stop and improve an existing walking trail at the Port Louisa Wildlife Refuge near Wapello.

Louisa County Great River Road Bicycle Lane - $1,350,000 to pave a roadway shoulder to provide a smooth travel space for bicycling.

Great River Road Marquette Overlook - $332,800 to improve the Marquette-Joliet Bridge scenic overlook observation deck.

Great River Road and Driftless Area Byway Visitor Center - $1,361,400 to build a new visitor center with traveler amenities on the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, overlooking the Mississippi River Valley at Lansing, Iowa.

Improving Access, Enhancing Lives - $600,000 to convert 9th Street, 11th Street and Elm Street in into complete streets in Dubuque.

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DES MOINES, IA (08/01/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald announced today that the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan has reduced its fees by over 20%. "This marks the fourth time in five years that College Savings Iowa has been able to reduce its fees," said Treasurer Fitzgerald. "This means more money stays in the account where it belongs, making it a great value for Iowans saving for future college expenses." The price reduction, effective August 1, 2012, will bring the annual asset-based fees of the plan's portfolios down from 0.34% to 0.28%.

"The plan's new lower costs will enable participants to put more of their investment returns toward the right place: their children's education," Fitzgerald said. "College Savings Iowa continues to share the benefits of its growth by lowering expenses, which is a testament to the commitment of the Plan to deliver well-managed college savings investments at low costs to Iowans."

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,975 per beneficiary from their 2012 adjusted gross income, and there are no income or residency restrictions.* Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-999-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released statements on the announcement of the non-partisan, non-profit think tank, Milken Institute's new index on the "Best Cities for Successful Aging," which show Iowa with the most high-ranking metros in the country.

The study can be found here: http://successfulaging.milkeninstitute.org/best-cities-successful-aging.pdf

The institute scored the top 20 metropolitan areas in the top 150 highest-populated areas in the United States, where Omaha-Council Bluffs ranked #3 and Des Moines ranked #6. In the next population tier of 209 metro areas, Iowa had three cities: Iowa City at #2, Ames at #11 and Dubuque at #14.

"This is a great showing for the state of Iowa," said Branstad. "I am pleased to see that Iowa has such a high quality of life that allows Iowans to age successfully. The access to quality living and health care in Iowa is important, and our efforts in these areas will continue having a positive impact on the lives of all Iowans."

The study is a data-driven analysis that examines 78 factors that most affect seniors' quality of life, and compares and ranks 359 metros on them. The study provides x-ray of which communities in the U.S. do the best job of providing the infrastructure and amenities for successful aging.

"Our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are a treasure, and this demonstrates that Iowa is making great strides in preserving the health of our families," said Reynolds. "As we make it a priority to expand Iowa's economy, there is no doubt that a healthy and secure workforce is important no matter what the age."

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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today announced a $1,350,000 grant for the Louisa Country Great River Road Bicycle Lane.  The funding comes from the National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP), which provides funding for projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways.  The NSBP supports projects that manage and protect outstanding historic, cultural, and recreational qualities along these roadways, as well as improve visitor facilities.

"The Mississippi River is one of eastern Iowa's greatest assets, and the Louisa County Great River Road Bicycle Lane will increase tourism to the area and allow more people to experience the scenic byway," said Loebsack.  "In addition to improving access and recreation for visitors and residents, this funding will improve economic development opportunities for the area."

The Louisa County Great River Road will run from Louisa County X99 near the Toolesboro Interpretive site and proceed north for about 14 miles, parallel to the Mississippi River.  The route also encompasses the Mississippi River Trail System, and local cities along the route include Wapello, Grandview, and Muscatine.