IC criticizes state on wage
Mayor James Throgmorton and the City Council spoke out against legislation prohibiting local governments from deciding their own minimum wage in a proclamation Tuesday night.
This comes after House File 295 was passed by the Iowa Legislature on March 30, which mandated that only the state could set a minimum wage, and cities or counties could not. Johnson County, which had mandated a $10.10 minimum wage, now only requires a $7.25 minimum wage. The bill passed the Senate 29-21.
“The City Council of Iowa City opposed this removal of Home Rule authority, supports local efforts to ensure an adequate minimum wage, and favors increasing the statewide minimum wage,” Councilor Pauline Taylor said, in place of Mayor Throgmorton. “Many working families and individuals in Johnson County are unable to adequately sustain themselves due to wages below the cost of the living in the county … a higher minimum wage would improve the peace, safety, health, welfare, comfort, and convenience of Johnson County residents by raising their standard of living and other associated benefits.”
The council has defended wages and worker’s rights in the past; at the April 4 council meeting, Throgmorton announced a proclamation supporting city employees and collective bargaining units.
Several local businesses agreed to continue the $10.10 minimum wage, despite the state minimum.
— by Naomi Hofferber
City recognizes community development
The city of Iowa City has designated this week, April 17-22, Community Development Week, which honors work done by the Community Development Block Grant and the HOME investment partnership.
The block grant and HOME are programs intended to provide safe and affordable housing and create safer neighborhoods.
“Community Development activities have had a significant impact on our local economy and the lives of our residents,” Councilor Kingsley Botchway said, on behalf of Mayor James Throgmorton. “The City’s Rehabilitation program for low income homeowners has invested over $8 million in rehabilitation assistance to assist over 1,000 homes since the program’s inception, the [block grant] Economic Development Fund has assisted 30 businesses with low interest loans or façade improvements to start or enhance their business, creating or retaining over 373 jobs, the City has served thousands of persons through CDBG supported agencies serving our at-risk, elderly, youth and disabled residents.”
Block grant funding has benefited the Iowa City community for 43 years. Both programs are federal programs; President Trump has considered cutting the budget for Housing and Urban Development, which funds both projects.
“The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development provides HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grants funds to states and localities — often in partnership with local nonprofit groups — to fund a wide range of activities including building, buying, and/or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership. Housing providers may apply for City and/or state HOME funds through a competitive process,” according to the City of Iowa City website on a page regarding affordable housing and financial assistance.
Peter Byler, of the Housing and Community Development Commission, accepted the proclamation.
“We’re in a time of uncertainty with regards to state and federal priorities and funding,” Byler said. “I take comfort in certainty that there are many people in the community who are working very hard to make sure that all of our community members are taken care of.”
— by Naomi Hofferber
IC joins with Baghdad in Week of Peace and Friendship
A proclamation on Tuesday named April 23-29 a Week of Peace and Friendship with the people of Baghdad, Iraq.
Mayor Jim Throgmorton said Baghdad for a long period was the home of a brilliant array of astronomers, mathematicians, doctors, musicians, philosophers, and poets who enabled the creation, preservation, and translation of works that are now considered foundational to many of the world’s cultures.
Throgmorton said the University of Iowa International Writing Program has hosted many fine writer and poets from Baghdad in the past.
He also said in 2015, Baghdad joined Iowa City as a UNESCO City of Literature. The director of the Baghdad UNESCO City of Literature, Sadeq Mohammed, is not only a poet and professor but a former IWP participant.
The mayor of Baghdad invited Throgmorton and IWP Director Christopher Merrill to take part in the Baghdad International Flower Festival. The two have accepted the invitation and will visit Baghdad April 26-29.
In response to the gesture, April 23-26 has been declared a Week of Peace and Friendship with the people of Baghdad.
“[I] encourage all citizens, residents, and visitors to join in observing this week,” Throgmorton said.
— by Kit Fitzgerald