CEDAR RAPIDS- The Iowa Legislature goes back in session exactly one week from Monday. And recovering and rebuilding after 2008's natural disasters including floods and tornadoes is a top priority.

And some flood victims in Cedar Rapids still looking for assistance more than six months later got a chance to let lawmakers know what was working and what wasn't

More than two dozen state lawmakers along with city and county leaders took yet another tour through the flood zones early on Monday. That was followed up with a midday forum in which residents and business owners impacted by the flooding could have their say.

Gary Ficken, a leader in a small business group in Cedar Rapids, gave lawmakers some basic facts and figures. "Over 900 businesses were flood impacted--so far 1,250 jobs have been washed away by the flood," he said.

Others given an opportunity to tell their stories were more emotional.
Frank King, a member of a neighborhood association, said "the fact decisions couldn't be made quicker added so much...added so much to the problems. The people who waited and waited--all the time they were wearing out."

Both the Iowa House and Senate have committees set up specifically to deal with recovery and rebuilding. Members of those committees, along with other lawmakers in attendance, made no promises except one.

They promised disaster recovery will be one of the top issues dealt with in 2009 and perhaps the only area in which lawmakers will find new funding amid the state's current budget crisis.