POLITICO Podcast: Harkin’s Groundhog Day
From Politico.com

Is Sen. Tom Harkin ready to move on from health care?

“Oh, am I ever,” he told the POLITICO Podcast. “This thing just goes on and on and on; it’s like that movie ‘Groundhog Day.’ It just keeps going over and over again.” Listen to the podcast…

Guest opinion column: Federal leaders should look to Iowa for guidance
From the Des Moines Register – Opinion page
I was proud to be at the bill signing last May that allowed 100 percent of Iowa’s children to have health care coverage. Gov. Chet Culver signed the state’s pioneering health-care legislation at Broadlawns Hospital, which is located in my district. Last year’s hard work by Democrats and Republicans allowed us to leapfrog political gridlock. I hope now that as all Americans turn their attention, hopes, and dreams to Washington, D.C., that politicians on both sides of the aisle learn something from Iowa.

In a recent letter given to President Obama and congressional leaders from some of the brightest economists in America, clearly declared that something must happen soon. Read full article…

Obama signs jobs bill; Braley on hand
From the Quad-City Times

President Obama signed the jobs bill today, and U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, was among about three dozen congressmen who were invited to the White House for the signing ceremony.

Braley proposed a payroll tax cut in the House for small businesses who hire people for longer than six months. U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, had earlier proposed it in the Senate. Read full article…

Governor Culver attended the announcement by Pioneer about their planned expansion of their facility in Johnston that will include 400 new jobs. The expansion was thanks, in part, to a commitment from the state of $7.8 million from the values fund -- including $500,000 for job training.

Here are some photos from the event:

Governor Culver was in Johnston today on the campus of Pioneer Hi-Bred International. Pioneer’s President Paul Schickler held a press conference to announce that Pioneer was expanding its Johnston campus and adding 400 new jobs at that location. The new buildings will be ready for occupancy in 2012.

The State of Iowa and the City of Johnston are supporting this expansion. Through the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Pioneer is receiving $7.8 million with $500,000 earmarked for job training. Mr. Schickler said without the support of the IDED and the state, “this would not be possible.”

Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfeld said this was an example of how a business, a state and a community can work together to give Iowa and Johnston an “economic shot in the arm.”

Here are some pictures from the event:

Roll Call magazine, in their latest in the video series “Office Space” takes a gander around the office of Iowa’s 1st District Congressman Bruce Braley. Congressman Braley shows the crew pictures from his childhood and other keepsakes from his life and his district.

Take a look:

In a press release last week, Grassley said the failure to extend the tax credits to biofuel companies would result in job losses in Iowa1, but he then voted against the bill to extend those tax credits.2

“Senator Charles Grassley is more interested in maintaining gridlock in Washington than creating jobs for hard-working Iowans,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.

“He has proven that his loyalty is to the Republican Party and not the people of Iowa,” added Kiernan.

Sources:

1. Press Release, Senator Charles Grassley, “Grassley supports tax relief extensions, opposes rampant deficit spending,” March 10, 2010.
2. Vote 48, March 10, 2010.