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 Bleeding Heartland

State Rep. Tyler Olson

(Thanks to Representative Tyler Olson for joining us here. - promoted by desmoinesdem)

Hello to the Bleeding Heartland community!  I'm Tyler Olson, representing Iowa House District 38 in Cedar Rapids (you can see my full bio here).  I wanted to introduce myself and express my appreciation for the discussion about how we are going to keep Iowa moving forward.

I just finished my first term in the legislature, and will be announcing my re-election bid shortly.  I'll make sure to post the announcement when it happens, but for now I'm posting my end of session update.  I'm also looking forward to providing updates on both my campaign and other House races as we move through the summer and fall.  Thanks, and look forward to hearing from you!

Tags: Iowa House, Tyler Olson

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tylerolson

7 Comments

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  • I read your end of session update

    Thanks, that was interesting and I would like to see other members of the legislature post similar reports here.

    I have a question about the riverfront enhancement fund (RECAT):

    RECAT is an approximately $72 million dollar (over five years) fund available to any community with a river or lakefront it wishes to redevelop. Communities must apply to the Vision Iowa Board for funding and demonstrate significant local government and private sector investment.

    Are communities with new or proposed man-made lakes eligible to apply for this funding?  

    desmoinesdem  Thu 15 May 10:57 AM

  • New/Man-Made Lakes

    The legislation, SF 2430, does not make a distinction between existing and new or proposed man-made lakes.  Here is the pertinent language as to how the dollars can be used:

    Any moneys

     4 24 appropriated to the river enhancement community attraction and

     4 25 tourism fund created pursuant to section 15F.205 shall be used

     4 26 exclusively for the creation and enhancement of community

     4 27 attractions and tourism opportunities along lakes, rivers, and

     4 28 river corridors in cities across the state,

    Lake is defined as follows:

    1.  For purposes of this section, “lake” means a lake of

     6  8 which the state or a political subdivision owns the lake bed

     6  9 up to the ordinary high water line and which is open to the

     6 10 use of the general public.

    tylerolson  Thu 15 May 1:11 PM

    • thank you for clarifying

      If the legislators’ intent was to facilitate redevelopment, I would hope that the Vision Iowa board would give priority to applications from communities along river banks or existing lakeshores, and not to projects that would flood existing farmland to create new lakes.

      desmoinesdem  Thu 15 May 1:53 PM

  • Thanks for banning touchscreens

    I’m glad the legislature tossed out the touchscreen voting gadgetry, but I’m wondering if you’ve ever seen the movie “Hacking Democracy” now running on HBO.  Until we audit the paper ballots that were counted by the scanners, we still aren’t out of the hacking woods.  Will you support audits?  Rep Gaskill had a bill this year that did not pass because auditors opposed it.

    iowavoter  Thu 15 May 9:22 PM

    • Hacking Democracy

      We heard from a lot of folks about the touchscreen issue which always helps. I have not seen the movie.  I will track down Rep. Gaskill’s bill and return.

      tylerolson  Sat 17 May 5:23 PM

      • HF2206

        IowaVoter,

        There is no question we need to continue ensuring our elections are solid, including some kind of post-election audit if need be.  I spoke to a few folks about HF2206 and it seems it did not move because proponents of the bill wanted to make sure we pursue the best way to conduct post-election audits.  The Secretary of State appointed a group (including Rep. Gaskill) to bring a proposal to the Legislature.

        I am sure you are aware of the recommendations put forth by the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law.  They released a study in 2007 with a number of considerations when writing legislation. You can find the executive summary at http://brennan.3cdn.net/eee981… (the considerations begin on page five).  Rep. Gaskill and the others are going through all the considerations in drafting their proposal.  I am looking forward to seeing their recommendation.

        tylerolson  Mon 19 May 9:29 PM

        • Keep your eye on it

          Thanks for your interest in this issue.  I hope you find time to watch “Hacking Democracy,” because then you will never forget that your own electoral career is at the mercy of computers.

          iowavoter  Wed 21 May 10:27 PM

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