Iowa House Panel Clears $56 Million Flood Relief PLan

A $56 million Iowa flood relief package has easily cleared its first legislative hurdle, and backers promise to quickly deliver the measure to Gov. Chet Culver.

Some Republicans complained that the measure was too vague in spots, but a House disaster relief committee approved the proposal on a 15-0 vote with little debate.

The plan is about $13 million larger than Culver had proposed, but the final version was hammered out in talks that included legislators from both parties as well as aides to the governor. That makes it a virtual certainty the measure will reach Culver and be signed into law.

The measure includes funding specifically for housing assistance as well as money to communities and individuals for other needs.