Governors

I-JOBS and Federal Recovery-funded projects help create jobs, improve infrastructure

November 13, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced today that 11 local highway infrastructure projects worth nearly $13.7 million have been let by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).

Ten projects are funded in total or part through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Acceptance of the low-bid proposals and awarding of contracts are contingent upon final approval of the respective parties.    » read more »

Programs to help impacted businesses and landlords, provide additional help for homeowners

November 12, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver today announced four new disaster assistance programs for small businesses and landlords impacted by the 2008 storms and floods, as well as improvements to the duplication of benefits policy for homeowners, at a press conference in Cedar Rapids.

The new business assistance programs will be funded by $85 million of the state’s nearly $800 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that more than $1.3 million in federal and state funds have been identified and are in final approval for disaster recovery efforts for the City of Cedar Rapids.

“Repairing the infrastructure of our state to smooth the way for a solid recovery continues to be a primary job of this office and all involved in the flood recovery,” said Governor Culver. “We will work with all of our partners to ensure that Cedar Rapids and every jurisdiction in Iowa receive all of the disaster aid they are eligible to receive.”    » read more »

New Law will Help Jump-Start Job Creation, Construction Projects

November 12, 2009 -- PEORIA – November 12, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that provides a statebacked guarantee supporting construction of energy efficiency projects that will create jobs across Illinois. The backing expands a law Governor Quinn signed in July that created the same guarantee for renewable energy and clean coal projects in Illinois.

“This legislation boosts Illinois’ investment in energy efficiency projects that reduce our carbon footprint and create jobs,” said Governor Quinn. “I am proud to sign this law that will help continue to protect our environment while developing new green jobs for the twenty-first century.”    » read more »

November 13, 2009

(BOISE) – Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter launched a new Web site today on which Idaho citizens can easily view details of the State budget and provide their insights and perspectives on how to make State government more efficient by using taxpayers’ money more wisely.

The site, http://efficiency.idaho.gov/, is part of Governor Otter’s plan for involving all Idahoans in the process of addressing the State’s budget shortfall. He announced the outreach plan in late September as he ordered a tiered holdback of State spending totaling about 4 percent of the General Fund appropriation for fiscal 2010.    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell has declared a state of emergency for Kent County and Sussex County to better enable response to the current storm, effective at 6 p.m.

Earlier today, Gov. Markell authorized the Delaware National Guard to position heavy vehicles and personnel in a number of locations in Sussex County to be ready for any needed response to flooding overnight or Friday. In addition, the Guard delivered more than 1,000 sandbags to Sussex County for use by local governments in staving off flooding.    » read more »

Nov. 12, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that the Colorado International Trade Office (ITO), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (COEDIT), is one of five recipients of the Market Development Cooperators Program (MDCP) for 2009. The ITO will receive $363,135 in matching funds over the next three years to support Colorado company exports of clean and environment-related products and services to China and Mexico.    » read more »

11/12/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the Obama Administration announced the brown pelican has been removed from the federal endangered species list.

"The brown pelican is a treasure of the California coast, and the announcement that the species has been able to rebound is exciting, not only for me, but for all who enjoy our coastal wildlife. It is also a testament to the importance of continuing environmental action for the benefit of future generations. By taking action to clean up the pollution that could have caused the extinction of the pelican, we are ensuring our children and grandchildren can experience one of the most majestic birds on the ocean."    » read more »

Nov 13, 2009 -- LITTLE ROCK - Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has added Saline County as the 13th county where storm and flood victims may be eligible for limited State aid from the Governor's Disaster Fund. Beebe earlier authorized the assistance for Arkansans with uninsured damage to their primary residences in Columbia, Franklin, Grant, Johnson, Lincoln, Logan, Lonoke, Ouachita, Pulaski, Scott, Union and White Counties.    » read more »

Addresses Backlog of Deferred Maintenance Projects

November 12, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Parnell today committed to creating construction jobs across the state by addressing the backlog of deferred maintenance projects for state-owned facilities.

“I will do what it takes to maximize construction opportunities in Alaska to put Alaskans to work,” Governor Parnell said. “Deferred maintenance funding is necessary to preserve the state’s significant investment in infrastructure and will mean Alaska’s construction industry will have jobs it can depend on, each and every year.”    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley today commented on the Alabama Supreme Court White Hall casino ruling.

“This ruling from the Supreme Court makes clear all these so-called electronic bingo machines in Alabama are illegal and it’s time for them to go,” said Governor Riley.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- OLYMPIA, WA – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced that Washington state will receive a grant of approximately $2.2 million to fund broadband mapping and planning activities under the State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program.

The program enables collection of data to show which areas of each state are in the most need of increased broadband infrastructure and adoption. The data collected will be used to create an interactive and searchable map for use by the public with information such as where broadband service is available and at what speeds, and the type of technology used.    » read more »

Authorizes state agencies to prepare for potential effects from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida and a coastal Nor'easter

November 11, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine has this evening declared a State of Emergency for Virginia in response to the combined effects of the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida and a coastal Nor'easter. The declaration immediately directs state agencies to take necessary actions to protect the health and safety of citizens throughout the Commonwealth.    » read more »

Mid-Atlantic Governors agree to formal tri-state partnership to develop renewable energy source

November 11, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland, and Governor Jack Markell of Delaware agreed today on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of offshore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region. The three states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a formal partnership that will build on the region's significant offshore wind resources to generate clean, renewable energy and a sustainable market that will bring new economic opportunities.    » read more »

11/10/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen attended the Music City Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony Sunday to present friend and music legend Dolly Parton with her star which will be placed on Nashville’s Music Mile. Dolly Parton shared the honors with Charlie Daniels and Kid Rock, as well as the late Ernest Tubb and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge founder Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess.

Governor Bredesen spoke about Parton’s contributions to the world through music and her fame across the globe.    » read more »