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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Iowa is Getting Mileage out of Economic Stimulus Cash

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Friday, July 10, 2009   

Des Moines, IA – More than three months into the federal economic stimulus plan, some critics are claiming it hasn't been effective, but a report from a coalition of national, state and local growth-planning organizations says Iowa might be doing just fine. Smart Growth America is tracking the stimulus cash and says Iowa is getting a lot of mileage out of the money.

La Von Griffieon, executive director of 1000 Friends of Iowa, a coalition member, says the state is spending more on road repair than most states.

"Iowa’s planners have really done well using 90 percent of the $348 million that was sent to the state on systems preservation, which is improving Iowa's existing roads that were showing their age."

Congress will soon consider the next transportation funding legislation known as SAFETEA-LU, Griffieon says, and that could mean more money for Iowa.

"If done right, SAFETEA-LU could open the door to a transportation process that could create choices for communities beyond car and truck traffic, and move people in other ways."

There are benefits to putting the stimulus money to work on repairs rather than new construction, she adds, because repairs are less-expensive, making more money available for public transportation projects.

The report, States and the Stimulus, is at www.smartgrowthamerica.org. SAFETEA-LU stands for the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users.




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