Culver signs union-backed executive order
From Radio Iowa
Governor Culver has signed an executive order which calls for so-called “project-labor agreements” on large-scale state government projects, like construction of a new performance hall in Iowa City to replace the flooded-out Hancher Auditorium.

Culver spoke to the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council convention this morning about the decision and the governor received a standing ovation from the union workers in the room.

Harkin, First Lady talk child obesity
From the Des Moines Register
First Lady Michelle Obama brought in members of Congress today to talk about her campaign to address childhood obesity. She met with six members of Congress today, including Sen. Tom Harkin, three cabinet members to plan the rollout next week of an administration initiative.

According to a pool report, Obama said in introductory remarks before the private meeting that childhood obesity was an imminently solvable problem. “Anyone with access to children in their lives will have to pull together,” she said.

Iowa Dems set pace in funds, registration
From the Sioux City Journal “Politically Speaking” blog
2010 is supposedly going to be tough for Democrats nationally. The president usually sees his party lose federal chamber seats during the off-year election. Many Americans are disgruntled over the recessionary economy and massive government spending.

But the Iowa Democratic Party today is touting fundraising totals gleaned in the year 2009. The IDP reports outraising the Iowa Republican Party, $2.47 million compared to $1.46 million. Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn has stirred a lot of interest, has had been a breath of fresh air by using social media like Twitter to get the GOP message out. But the fact remains that the Democratic Party won in the money game in 2009.