Pictured (from left) Newton Mayor Chaz Allen, Jasper County Supervisor Max Worthington, Ed Lowe of GE Energy, Randy Swisher of American Wind Energy Association, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Rep. Leonard Boswell, TPI President and CEO Steve Lockard and Gov. Chet Culver at the TPI announcement.

On November 26, Governor Culver officially announced that TPI Composites, one of the leading wind turbine manufacturers, will create approximately 500 jobs in Newton.

Governor Culver spoke at the announcement in Newton, saying, “Today is a great day for Newton, and a great day for Iowa. We applaud TPI and GE for bringing these new jobs to Newton. As Governor, my goal is to take full advantage of Iowa’s natural resources, along with our incredible manufacturing base and workforce, to make Iowa the renewable energy capital of the nation.   With this announcement, we will build upon Iowa’s leadership in wind energy, remain a critical player in the race to produce clean, renewable electricity, and help ensure the future success of this vibrant Iowa community.”

Iowa currently ranks third in wind energy production, with more than 1000 wind turbines capable of producing nearly 1000 MW of electricity annually.  In addition to TPI, Iowa is home to some of the biggest names in wind energy production, including Acciona Energia in West Branch, Clipper Wind Power in Cedar Rapids, and Siemens Wind in Fort Madison.

Governor Culver has challenged Iowans to produce more wind energy, setting the goal of producing 2015 MW of electricity from wind by 2015.  Studies project Iowa is poised to surpass this goal, showing Iowa will produce over 2000 megawatts by 2011.

Governor Culver calls on the Iowa Legislature to provide additional funding for the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship next Session.

In a press conference this month, Governor Chet Culver called on the Iowa Legislature to provide new funding for the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship during the 2008 Legislative Session. 

Standing side-by-side with more than 30 recipients of the scholarship, the Governor congratulated the 179 recipients of the scholarship, but pointed to the more than 1,000 students who were denied based on a lack of funding for the innovative program. 

“Only 15 percent of those who applied for the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship were granted awards.  There is an overwhelming demand for this program, and I am committed to fully funding this scholarship so all Iowa students have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential,” said Governor Culver.  “Now is the time to encourage public investment in our students, and that is why I look forward to working with the legislature to fund this important program.  It is good for our families; it’s good for our economy; and it is good for Iowa.”

The Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship for Iowa students attending Regents institutions, community colleges, or private colleges.  A signature proposal of the Governor’s 2007 Legislative Agenda, he signed it into law in May. 

Governor Culver signs the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.

On November 15, Governor Culver joined Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin, Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Premier Gary Doer of Manitoba to sign the Midwestern Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord.  Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio, Governor M. Michael Rounds of South Dakota, and Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana signed onto the agreement as observers.

The historic agreement, signed at the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) Energy Security and Climate Change Summit held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will serve as a regional strategy to achieve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

The Accord will:

• Establish greenhouse gas reduction targets and timeframes consistent with MGA member states’ targets;
• Develop a market-based and multi-sector cap-and-trade mechanism to help achieve those reduction targets;
• Establish a system to enable tracking, management and crediting for entities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
• Develop and implement additional steps as needed to achieve the reduction targets, such as a low-carbon fuel standards and regional incentives and funding mechanisms.

“The threat of global warming is real and it is our responsibility to take steps to reduce greenhouse gasses,” said Governor Culver. “The search for new forms of clean, renewable energy is underway in Iowa with the creation of the Power Fund and the first-ever Iowa Office of Energy Independence.  Iowa’s leadership in renewable energy, combined with our strong manufacturing base makes us perfectly situated to become the renewable energy capital of the nation.”

Lt. Governor Judge is joined by Commission member and former State Senator Maggie Tinsman to announce the “Five Steps toward a Healthy Iowa”.

Earlier this year, Lt. Governor Judge formed a Commission on Wellness and Healthy Living to begin a conversation with Iowans about ways to improve the health of our state. They were tasked with listening to Iowans present ideas on promoting wellness.  After ten town hall meetings across the state, they presented recommendations to the Lt. Governor in October.

Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge used those recommendations to come up with the following five steps: 

- Remove Unhealthy Food From Schools

- Improve the Health of Iowa’s Children

- Encourage More Iowans to Quit Smoking

- Encourage Physical Activity for Seniors

- Promote Wellness Efforts Among Iowans

“These recommendations are only the starting point,” said Lt. Governor Judge. “The Governor and I will build upon these efforts in the coming months to develop a comprehensive wellness plan designed to move us farther down the road to a healthier Iowa, and lay the groundwork for a brighter future.”

To find out more, visit http://www.governor.iowa.gov/lt-governor/healthy-living.php

Governor Culver discusses adopting statewide core curriculum at Mt. Vernon High School.

During a “Capitol for a Day” stop in Mount Vernon last month, Governor Chet Culver discussed his goal for Iowa’s model core curriculum at the high school level to be adopted statewide by 2010.   

The Model Core Curriculum currently emphasizes the academic areas of language arts, mathematics, science and social studies.  Governor Culver would like to see this curriculum expanded to include important skills necessary to succeed in the 21st Century, such as financial literacy, health literacy, higher level thinking skills, civic literacy and employability skills. This complete core curriculum would provide assistance to teachers by offering instructional strategies and model unit development, as well as lessons to increase rigor and relevance in student work.

Last April, the State Board of Education adopted the core curriculum as a model for math, science and literacy in high school. Currently, the Iowa Department of Education is working with teachers, business, higher education representatives, and Area Education personnel to expand the core curriculum to include K-8 language arts, mathematics and science.  Also on the agenda is the completion of K-12 social studies and areas of skills such as understanding personal finances, knowing civic responsibilities, and engaging in practices for a healthy life.  It is expected that the State Board of Education will review the complete core curriculum in April 2008. 

Since the State Board approved the core curriculum in April, many school districts have participated in the analysis of their local curriculum, alignment to standards and review of their curriculum materials. Although the work is comprehensive, the actions of school districts to incorporate a world-class rigorous curriculum will provide a strong basis for Iowa students to continue to lead the nation in achievement.

On October 26, Governor Culver issued Executive Order #4 to achieve and maintain a diverse workforce in state government.

Highlights of Executive Order #4 include:

• Agencies must submit a written summary of their hiring practices to the director of the Department of Administrative Services for approval by February 1, 2008.
• Each agency shall develop a recruitment and retention plan that includes a timetable and achievement milestones.
• Each agency shall work with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services to determine ways to increase employment of persons with disabilities.
• The creation of a Diversity Council, made up of members of the executive branch (including the Governor), collective bargaining units representing state employees, the private sector and non-profit organizations.  The Diversity Council is charged with (1) reviewing the state’s policies, procedures and practices related to the hiring of a diverse workforce and recommending methods to insure these are implemented and followed throughout state government; (2) developing a plan for training all state employees with respect to diversity; and (3) developing a state-government referral system for the referral of job candidates between agencies within state government.
• Agencies must submit a Diversity Plan to the Diversity Council annually.
• DAS, in consultation with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the Department of Human Rights, shall annually monitor the application of the screening methods used by state agencies, assess their impact on employee groups in the selection process and counsel departments with regard to selection processes that pose barriers to any applicant group.
• Diversity training shall be required on an annual basis for all state employees making hiring and promotion decisions within their respective agency, including agency directors and deputy directors.

“Our Administration is committed to enhancing diversity through the hiring and promotion practices of state government,” said Governor Culver.  “It is no secret there have been some challenges over the past several years related to minority hiring and promoting.  We have spent time identifying the problems, now it is time for action.  For this reason, I have issued an Executive Order to address this important issue, and I expect all agency directors to follow it – no exceptions.  Lt. Governor Judge and I have made appointments that are diverse and inclusive, and we expect our agency directors to follow our example.”

Lt. Governor Patty Judge announces the creation of the One Iowa Award at East High School in Des Moines.

In early November, Lt. Governor Patty Judge announced the creation of the One Iowa Award. The One Iowa Award will be given to deserving Iowa communities, businesses, organizations or groups that excel in furthering diversity issues in the state.

Governor Culver weighed in on the importance of the One Iowa Award, saying, “Diversity is critical in so many areas in Iowa. We are addressing issues of diversity in many facets of state government, including the state’s hiring practices and our new diversity council. There is a lot of work to be done, but the One Iowa Award is an important step in the right direction.”

Iowa businesses will sponsor the One Iowa Award as well as help with the selection process: Bankers Trust in Des Moines and Rockwell International in Cedar Rapids have signed on as sponsors. To nominate a group, business or organization for the One Iowa Award, log onto http://www.governor.iowa.gov/lt-governor/one-iowa-award.php, or call the Governor’s Office at 515.281.5211 for more information. The first One Iowa Award will be presented in early 2008.

Governor Culver and Shawn Johnson at the State Historical Building for “Shawn Johnson Day”.

In honor of 2007 World Gymnastics Champion Shawn Johnson, Governor Culver proclaimed October 17 “Shawn Johnson Day” in Iowa.  Hundreds of Iowans, including gymnasts from Central Iowa, greeted Shawn at the event at the Iowa State Historical Building. Johnson’s star continues to rise in the world of international gymnastics. Shawn has won the 2007 Pan-American All-Around, the 2007 American Cup All-Around, the 2007 National Championship and the 2007 World Championship.

“Shawn Johnson is an amazing young woman,” said Governor Culver. “Her awards and honors are many, and I congratulate her for all she has done in her 15 short years.”

Shawn Johnson, a West Des Moines native, was accompanied by her parents and numerous family members. Students from Valley High School, where Shawn is a sophomore, were in attendance, as well as more than 100 young gymnasts from area gymnastics studios. “Everything that’s happened to me is so overwhelming,” said Shawn Johnson. “I thank Governor Culver for proclaiming today ‘Shawn Johnson Day.’ It’s such a huge honor and I am grateful that so many people came out to celebrate with me. I’m so proud to be from Iowa!”