From Monday's Des Moines Register:
Developers of two projects planned for the north shore of Lake Red Rock are quietly trying to cultivate support in the Iowa Legislature for up to $75 million in state government assistance...
...Earthpark developers want the Legislature to extend a state tourism grant program so they could apply for $25 million to $35 million to help with the cost of building the environmental center.
Today, the Iowa House Ways and Means Committee is expected to discuss the Point's sales tax proposal. The request is similar to a $12.5 million sales tax incentive package lawmakers approved in 2005 for the new Iowa Speedway in Newton.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat, also expects lawmakers to discuss extending the state's Community Attraction and Tourism fund, known as CAT, so Earthpark could apply for money from that program. Because of the amount Earthpark wants, its grant might have to be spread over four or five years...
Sen. Joe Bolkcom, an Iowa City Democrat and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, is skeptical about the chances of putting together the incentive package the two developers want...
...Dotzler said Earthpark "has the potential to be a huge tourism draw." He said, "I think this is going to be a huge economic engine for central Iowa."
Kudos to Bolkcom for being skeptical.
What is the matter with idiots like Bill Dotzler? Earthpork is guaranteed to be a huge financial disaster, and all on the backs of the taxpayers. And who will be accountable? Nobody!
Even former Governor Tom Vilsack said "With all due respect to those who support the rain forest, it’s nuts"
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