Democrats worry bill would lead to Chinese steel in Iowa bridges

DES MOINES — The Iowa House voted along party lines to allow the Department of Transportation to exchange state road funds for federal dollars awarded to local governments as a way to reduce costly paperwork and compliance with the federal regulations.

Rep. Gary Worthan, R-Storm Lake, told lawmakers House File 203 would make the dollars go further because the DOT would assume the responsibilities that come with federal dollars. Local governments that might do one or two projects a year with federal funds don’t have the same level of familiarity and expertise in complying with federal regulations as the DOT, which has people who deal with those issues on a regular basis, he said.

Democrats were skeptical of the savings, which the Legislative Services Agency said cannot be determined at this time.

They were more concerned that by swapping federal funds for state dollars, local governments would not be required to meet the Davis-Bacon wage requirements and the “buy American” provisions attached to the federal dollars.

Read more: http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/democrats-worry-bill-would-lead-to-chinese-steel-in-iowa-bridges-20170209