Yesterday, Greta wrote about the flooding in Iowa.

As rivers in some parts begin to crest and flooding begins to subside, the state government has begun working on its response. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has said that he is likely to call a special session of the legislature as soon as the federal response is clear.

For their part, legislators seem ready to go to work.

The House has opened up its chamber to workers from the Department of Human Services whose offices have been threatened by flooding.

Sen. Bill Dotzler -- who is among those whose homes have been damaged by flooding -- told reporters that, “If the state can do something to help out, we ought to do it.”

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy has proposed putting together a commission to come up with an aid package.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal -- our chair at the DLCC -- is looking for ways to have the local resources fill the gaps left by federal aid, telling reporters, “We’ll be having discussions with legislators from the affected areas over the coming weeks and be looking at what the state might be able to do.”

Meanwhile, the Red Cross has spent $15 million responding to the floods and has exhausted its disaster relief fund. Please consider contributing here.