Branstad Highlights Water Quality And Education In Condition Of The State Address
(Des Moines) — Governor Terry Branstad used his annual “Condition of the State” message today (Tuesday) to make a strong pitch for a steady stream of state funding of water quality projects.
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Branstad used the word “monumental” to describe his plan. He wants legislators to extend the state sales tax for school infrastructure projects and dedicate the inflationary growth expected in those tax collections to water quality initiatives.
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Doing nothing, Branstad warned, is no longer an option when it comes to addressing water quality. Branstad says the state faces “unique issues” that cannot be addressed without a “bipartisan” approach.
Listen to
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Branstad today presented a seven-point-four BILLION dollar state budget plan to legislators. That’s two-point-three percent larger than the current year’s budget. Branstad’s extra spending would mostly be dedicated to the state’s education system and to the state-run Medicaid program which provides health care coverage to poor and disabled Iowans. State officials have separated state gambling taxes into another fund.
The governor is calling for using 65 million dollars in gambling taxes over the next five years to renovate the State Historical Building in Des Moines. Branstad’s pledging to raise another 14 million dollars in private donations to complete the project.
Utilities Board Rejects Requests For Two Hearings For Wind Farm Transmission Line
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Utilities Board has dealt another setback to a proposed $2 billion transmission line to ship Iowa wind energy to customers in Illinois.
The board on Monday rejected the third request by Clean Line Energy Partners to split the case into two separate hearings. The board stood by its plan to decide whether to approve the line and whether to grant the use of eminent domain in one hearing.
The company has said that approach means it has to invest “tens of millions of dollars” acquiring land while running the risk that regulators could reject the line as not in the public interest. Groups representing union workers and wind energy supporters backed its request.
But the board says splitting the case would be inconvenient for landowners fighting the project.
Move On.org Endorses Sanders
WASHINGTON (AP) – Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has won the endorsement of MoveOn.org, a grassroots organization that has been at the forefront of liberal causes.
MoveOn says the Vermont senator was supported by nearly 79 percent of its membership in an online vote. Hillary Clinton received nearly 15 percent.
MoveOn endorsed President Barack Obama during the 2008 primaries and helped rally Democrats in opposition to the Iraq War. The group lists 8 million members and says it plans to mobilize nearly 75,000 of its members in Iowa and New Hampshire on Sanders’ behalf.
The endorsement was widely expected. MoveOn encouraged Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren to run for president but when she declined many of supporters got behind Sanders, who has campaigned against income inequality and reducing the influence of money in politics.
Powerball Surpass $1.5 Billion
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The world’s largest lottery jackpot has grown to $1.5 billion because of continuing strong Powerball ticket sales.
Lottery officials increased their estimate of the huge jackpot for the second day in a row Tuesday because of immense interest in the prize.
The record-breaking Powerball jackpot could grow yet more before Wednesday’s drawing if ticket sales continue to exceed expectations. Officials reassess the estimate daily.
The odds of matching all six numbers to win the jackpot are one in 292.2 million.
The $1.5 billion prize would be paid in annual payments over 29 years. Or the winner could opt for a lump-sum payment of $930 million.
Legislators To Investigate Lottery Jackpot Scandal
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A legislative committee in Iowa plans to look into the jackpot-fixing scandal that started in the state and has spread to several other state lotteries.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann says the Iowa House government oversight committee will investigate how it was possible for an employee at the Multi-State Lottery Association to allegedly fix jackpots. He says lawmakers want to prevent it from happening again.
Kaufmann said lawmakers may seek documents and testimony from the Urbandale, Iowa-based lottery association, which runs the popular Powerball game and is governed by 37 lotteries in U.S. states and territories.
The alleged scheme didn’t affect Powerball, which uses balls instead of computers to draw numbers. That game is expected to set a world jackpot record in Wednesday’s drawing of $1.5 billion.
Iowa State University Plans Substitute Event For Former Veishia
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University is planning two events to replace what was the annual Veishea festival.
University President Steven Leath said Monday that a February celebration will feature the sale of cherry pies as part of Valentine’s Day activities. A celebration of the arts will be held in April.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that plans for the next academic year include a community service project, a parade and college showcase and an event to welcome students back to campus for the start of spring semester.
Leath ended the Veishea festival in August 2014, saying the alcohol-fueled party placed students at risk.
