Iowa to Accept Storm Victims
by Mike Owen, West Branch, Iowa
Iowans
should be proud to have Governor Vilsack speaking for them about the
state's interest in helping up to 5,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina
relocate to our state.
As he
eloquently stated, “In a situation like this, America becomes a single
community and every part of the community has to shoulder their portion
of the burden.”
According
to an AP story in today’s Cedar Rapids Gazette, the first wave of storm
victims could arrive as early as today (Saturday). State officials are
working with the Red Cross. The governor said:
•
Victims, upon arrival, will receive food, clothing and medical care, as
well as a month’s rent in short-term housing – most likely in hotels.
•
For victims who want to stay longer, he has asked the Iowa Finance
Authority, faith-based organizations and the Internal Revenue Service
to find low-to-moderate income housing for up to one year.
•
He will sign an executive order directing the Department of Human
Services to help the families relocate to longer-term housing and make
them eligible for Food Stamps, Medicaid, financial aid and help finding
employment.
It is worth noting
that this is occurring at the same time Congress is preparing to whack
away at many of those very services, including Food Stamps and Medicaid.
We are left to ask:
Where will House Budget Chair Jim Nussle be on these issues now? Where
would a Gov. Nussle be on these issues in the same situation?
Do not
allow such questions to be dismissed as “political.” Ask these
questions without apology. They are the nuts and bolts of governing.
They have everything to do with the choices about to be made in
Washington and our ability as Iowans and Americans to make them in the
future.
This report was written for Blog for Iowa by Mike Owen of West Branch, Iowa.
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