When blizzards strike Iowa, Iowans need emergency help from state troopers. However, funding cuts mean there are the fewest troopers around to help in nearly half a century.
The Iowa State Patrol says there are currently 379 uniformed officers patrolling Iowa highways. That's down 71 from ten years ago.
"From midnight to 6:30 am there are two cars out in a six county area," says Iowa State Trooper Rob Battles.
In most counties, there are no troopers out on the road during the middle of the night. Not a good situation when blizzard like conditions hit.
"It's been a tough winter with all snowfall. We've had the toughest winter since I've been on the State Patrol."
When the roads got really slick and icy last week, troopers were in high demand. They received 3400 calls and responded to 63 accidents in just 48 hours. But the number of state troopers is at its lowest level in 46 years. That means more work and more wait for Iowans stranded on the side of the road.
"Ultimately it falls back on the tax payers and motoring public. We're trying to provide them a service, but it hurts our response times. They have to sit a little longer and wait for us to get there."
The situation has lawmakers questioning if there are enough troopers on the road to keep Iowans safe.
"This is flat out overspending. We haven't been prioritizing. It's time to start looking at our necessary resources and putting them where they need to be," says Rep. Erik Helland of Grimes.
The dwindling trooper numbers is expected to be a hot button issue as all state departments fight for funding and resources in 2010.
Right now the money for the Iowa State Patrol comes from the general fund. However, in order to save money, Governor Culver has proposed taking the 50 million dollars instead from the Road Use Tax Fund. However, the idea isn't popular with Republicans, because that takes money away from building and maintaining our state's highways.
The Iowa State Patrol says there are currently 379 uniformed officers patrolling Iowa highways. That's down 71 from ten years ago.
"From midnight to 6:30 am there are two cars out in a six county area," says Iowa State Trooper Rob Battles.
In most counties, there are no troopers out on the road during the middle of the night. Not a good situation when blizzard like conditions hit.
"It's been a tough winter with all snowfall. We've had the toughest winter since I've been on the State Patrol."
When the roads got really slick and icy last week, troopers were in high demand. They received 3400 calls and responded to 63 accidents in just 48 hours. But the number of state troopers is at its lowest level in 46 years. That means more work and more wait for Iowans stranded on the side of the road.
"Ultimately it falls back on the tax payers and motoring public. We're trying to provide them a service, but it hurts our response times. They have to sit a little longer and wait for us to get there."
The situation has lawmakers questioning if there are enough troopers on the road to keep Iowans safe.
"This is flat out overspending. We haven't been prioritizing. It's time to start looking at our necessary resources and putting them where they need to be," says Rep. Erik Helland of Grimes.
The dwindling trooper numbers is expected to be a hot button issue as all state departments fight for funding and resources in 2010.
Right now the money for the Iowa State Patrol comes from the general fund. However, in order to save money, Governor Culver has proposed taking the 50 million dollars instead from the Road Use Tax Fund. However, the idea isn't popular with Republicans, because that takes money away from building and maintaining our state's highways.
