Business and government leaders from the Iowa City Area are in Washington, D.C. today through Wednesday, February 4 to meet with legislators and lobby for business-friendly policy. More than 50 members of the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Area chambers, representing large and small businesses and elected officials, are participating in the tenth annual joint Corridor Federal Issues Trip.
Vice President & Director of Public Policy Rebecca Neades is keeping members appraised of activities during the tenth annual Corridor Federal Issues Trip with dispatches from D.C.
Monday, February 2: 11:23 a.m.
Our delegation just landed at Washington National Airport. Its 51 F and sunny.
We are heading to the Capitol to discuss elevation of Dubuque St and replacement of Park Road Bridge and flood mitigation in Coralville.
More to come later.
Monday, February 2: 3:15 p.m.
We are currently meeting with staff representatives from Senator Grassley’s, Senator Harkin’s and Congressman Loebsack’s offices.
Coralville flood mitigation sounds as if it may need to be a multi-year funding project. DC staff was very impressed with preparedness and knowledge of City of Coralville in regards to its presentation.
DC staff gave valuable feedback regarding presentation of Dubuque Street and Park Road Bridge. There is significant support for this project by the University of Iowa due to campus and hospital access.
Richard Bender from Senator Harkin's office gave an update on the stimulus bill. It is a very large bill that includes tax and spending components. It may include passenger train funding, which is among priorities of the Iowa City Area Chamber. It may also help fund the Coralville and Cedar Rapids bus facilities that were destroyed due to the flood. This bill is on the floor this week and is the talk of DC.
Tuesday, February 3: 11:15 a.m.
Our delegation hosted a breakfast reception for congressional staff and Washingtonians with Iowa ties. Nearly 100 guests attended.
Tuesday, February 3: 12:30 p.m.
After breakfast we presented on I-80/First Avenue and I-380/ Penn Street interchanges, the Coralville Intermodal Transit Facility, Highway 965 expansion and other transportation projects. Enthusiasm for the Quad Cities to Iowa City passenger train was echoed by D.C. staff.
Yesterday, some members of our group attended the confirmation hearing which made Eric Holder the first African-American Attorney General of the United States.
Later today, we’ll be presenting on student financial aid programs for higher education and Medicare reimbursement, and meeting with Senator Grassley and Senator Harkin. Our day will end with dinner with Congressman Loebsack.
Tuesday, February 3: 2:00 p.m.
Meeting with Senator Grassley now and received positive feedback regarding the unified presentations by our local municipalities. Grassley said, "I appreciate the community voice versus hearing from you individually."
Grassley also informed us that the stimulus bill is likely to be out of the Senate by Friday with President Obama signing it within a week from then.
Grassley added, "We weren't explicit enough with HUD in our first bill. It was based on population...that hurt us some. (We have learned) to be more precise in bill writing."
Wednesday, February 4: 10:30 a.m.
Today marks the last day of the 10th annual Corridor Federal Issues Trip. We'll conclude the trip with a briefing from the US Chamber this morning and spend the remainder of the day traveling back to Iowa.
Passenger rail meetings with Senators Grassley and Harkin went very well late yesterday afternoon. Passenger trains have been discussed for the past 30 years, but for the first time it has a real chance of being funded.
Dean Spina from Bradley Riley shared some suggestions on the Grassley/Loebsack flood relief tax bill, and impressed the D.C. staff with his knowledge and suggestions.
Our delegation was very prepared and gave wonderful presentations.
Wednesday, February 4: 2:30 p.m.
Boarding our flight back to Iowa now after another successful trip. We've made a lot of progress on our projects and follow up items include: meeting with the Iowa DOT about passenger trains, discussing local projects such as raising Dubuque street with Economic Development Administration (EDA), sending thank-yous to our senators, congressmen and the D.C. staff for their hospitality.
Legislative Priorities
The Iowa City Area’s top priorities are Coralville Intermodal Facility, elevation of Dubuque Street/replacement of Park Road Bridge and Highway 965 capacity and safety improvements. Other projects include a Quad Cities-Iowa City passenger train connection connecting Iowa City to Chicago, and The Stories Project, a proposed tourist attraction emphasizing language, literature, and literacy in Coralville’s Iowa River Landing development.