Iowa House Agrees To 2.4 Percent Increase For Schools
(Des Moines) — Republicans at the statehouse have settled on sending Iowa’s K-through-12 public schools 36-and-a-half MILLION more in general state aid for the next academic year. Representative Cecil Dolecheck (DOHL-uh-check), a
Republican from Mount Ayr, outlined details during House debate.
Democrats say even if there’s another batch of money later, THIS decision setting per pupil spending means property taxes will go up in 137 school districts with lower enrollment this year compared to last. Representative Eric Gjerde, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says it’s the wrong
move.
Representative Molly Donahue, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says it will be a double-whammy to property owners in Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown and other school districts that were hit by the derecho and have fewer students this year.
Republicans say it would be irresponsible to withdraw money from the state’s budget surplus for schools as that money may be needed next year if the state’s economy doesn’t rebound from the pandemic. The G-O-P’s plan for general state spending on schools has cleared the House and will be taken up in the Senate next week.
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Extreme Cold Temperatures May Create Problems For Furnaces
(Des Moines) — With high temperatures stuck in single digits and teens and nightly lows falling well below zero, Iowans’ furnaces are putting in plenty of overtime. Troy Martin works for a heating business in Webster City and suggests Iowans take a few precautionary steps to keep the warm air flowing.
If you have a high-efficiency furnace, make certain the air intake and exhaust pipes are clear of any snow that may be piled up beside your house.
Frozen water pipes are always a concern this time of year and if one breaks, it can quickly become an expensive mess.
He also recommends leaving the faucets dripping to prevent the freezing of pipes, and keep cabinet doors open below your sink to allow warm air to circulate.
Congressman Feenstra Encourages President Biden To Allocate Funds For High Speed Broadband Internet For Rural Areas
WASHINGTON — This week, Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) joined the Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers focused on ensuring all Americans have access to quality, affordable broadband services.
Rep. Feenstra’s first act was to sign a bipartisan letter urging President Biden to prioritize investments in broadband infrastructure. As the letter states, “In the 21st Century, high-speed broadband is no longer a luxury amenity, but rather an essential service for homes and businesses in this interconnected world.”
“I’m excited to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expand high-speed broadband access to rural Americans,” said Rep. Feenstra. “From precision farming to virtual working and learning, it has become imperative
that every Iowan has access to quality, affordable internet services.
Investing in broadband infrastructure would be a step in the right direction as we work to close the digital divide.”
Weekend Going To Get Colder
(Johnston, IA) — The National Weather Service says the coldest temperatures of the year are on the way this weekend.
A blast of frigid air will move in — with the coldest temperatures and wind chills Sunday and Monday mornings. Wind Chills could be as low as 32 below zero in some areas and are project to be at double-digits below zero across the state. The N-W-S says at these temperatures, even short amounts of time outdoor can be dangerous, so be sure to limit exposure as much as possible.
Bill Would Reduce Costs For The Medical Marijuana Program
(Des Moines, IA) — A bill is in the works in the Iowa Senate which would dramatically reduce the fee for the state-issued card given to Iowans who qualify for the medical marijuana program. Senator Brad Zaun (ZAHN), a Republican from Urbandale, says his main aim is to make the products more accessible to more Iowans. The bill would lower the cost for a medical cannabis card from 100 dollars a year to just ten dollars every other year. Zaun says the people in the program are going through some tough time times and it’s not about making money on the program. The bill would dramatically reduce the fees paid by the companies that are licensed to grow, produce and sell medical marijuana products in Iowa.
Bill Would Make Daylight Savings Time Permanent
(Des Moines, IA) — A bill eligible for debate in the Iowa Senate could make Daylight Saving Time a permanent thing for the state. Republican Senator Jeff Reichman (RYK-man), of Montrose, says he’s gotten good feedback on the bill.. He says the bill approved by the Senate State Government Committee would only happen if the six states that surround Iowa make the same move. It gives all bordering states 10 years to pass their own legislation. Critics of the twice-a-year time change say it disrupts sleep schedules and is actually a temporary damper on the economy. Bills were introduced in 32 states last year that called for observing Daylight Saving Time year-round.
