Jeneary Talks About The Compromise Reached Between The Iowa House and Iowa Senate On Property Tax Reform
(Des Moines) — The Iowa legislature finally wrapped up its general session late Wednesday evening at nearly the stroke of midnight. The lawmakers extended the session by 20 additional days past the deadline of April 30th.
Much of the delay was due to the differences between House Republicans and Senate Republicans thoughts on property tax reform and the funding of mental health services. The Iowa Senate had wanted to immediately begin tax reforms
and allow mental health services be funded by the state. The Iowa House on the other hand wanted to slow down the process. State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary explains the compromise that was finally reached between the two chambers.
Jeneary says one of the compromising measures was the elimination of inheritance tax.
The State 5th District Representative says another sticking point was the use of property tax to fund mental health services. He explains how the state legislators were able to come to an agreement over that issue.
Legislature Passes Bill Banning Masks And Face Coverings
(Des Moines) — During the last remaining hours of the state legislative session, lawmakers also passed a bill, and was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds , effective immediately to ban the use of wearing a face covering or masks in schools, public areas, and businesses. Jeneary says that was one issue that every state lawmaker heard from their constituents, and he explains how that bill came about.
Jeneary tells there is an exception that has been included with the bill.
Western Iowa Jury Finds Teenager Guilty Of Murder
(Onawa, IA) — A western Iowa jury has found a teenager guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of another teen. Sixteen-year-old Joseph Hopkins was killed in Mapleton in late January last year. The Monona County jury took less than three hours of deliberations to find 18-year-old Jay Neubaum guilty. When he is sentenced next month Neubaum will face up to 50
years in prison. During his closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney General Marty Platz told jurors the shooting wasn’t an accident. Defense attorney Laury Lau maintained only bits and pieces of the truth were actually presented. Neubaum faces sexual assault charges in a separate trial.
Sixth Grade Student Suspended For Shooting Threat in Northwest Iowa
(Bronson, IA) — Authorities in northwest Iowa are investigating a shooting threat at a school in Woodbury County. Sheriff’s deputies say they received a report of a sixth grader who threatened to shoot other students at Bronson Elementary School Wednesday. School officials say the student has been
suspended for the remainder of the year. Investigators say they’ve added additional security measures, but at no time was any student in immediate danger. The investigation includes the Lawton-Bronson School District, Woodbury County Attorney’s office and the Department of Human Services.
‘Back the Blue’ Bill Awaits Governor Reynolds Signature
(Des Moines, IA) — One of the bills to clear the Iowa legislature in its final week raises the penalty for rioting to a felony. Lingering in the crowd when a protest becomes an “unlawful assembly” would become a crime.
Republican Representative Jarad Klein from Keota said, “peaceful protesting is a great and wonderful thing, so many positive results have happened in our country as a result of peaceful protesting, but violence cannot and will not be tolerated in the state of Iowa.” The bill also provides police qualified
immunity to shield them from being held personally liable for most on-duty actions. Governor Reynolds unsuccessfully recommended including a ban on racial profiling in the package, too. Democratic Representative Ras Smith from Waterloo accused Republican lawmakers of abandoning the criminal justice
effort that started a year ago.
Legislature Approves New Tax Levy for Iowa EMS
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa voters could establish a new local property levy to provide funding for emergency medical services (EMS) under a provision included a bill that cleared the legislature late Wednesday night. G-O-P Representative Bobby Kaufmann from Wilton says ambulance services have been
lobbying for this for 50 years. Kauffman said, “this piece of policy
legislation is truly a generational change, to be able to give our counties or cities or districts the ability to finally levy for and raised the funds to fully fund our ambulance services.” Kaufmann says calling for an ambulance in rural Iowa often depends upon a response from a volunteer department running on donations from pancake breakfasts and other fundraisers.
Davenport Residents Want Better Storm Sewer System, But Not Flood Wall
(Davenport, IA) — A survey taken in Davenport shows residents and people who work in the city want a moderate level of flood protection, but no permanent flood wall. Public Works Director Nicole Gleason says the nearly 500 people who responded to the most recent Mississippi River flood survey
want the city to improve its storm sewer system. The business community agrees that any flood protection should be fair to the companies located along Davenport’s nine miles of riverfront. More feedback from the public is going to be requested in July. It will be the third survey taken on this topic.
Former Youth Counselor Allowed To Withdraw Guilty Plea
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — When a former Four Oaks youth counselor found out her plea deal wasn’t going to be honored, she was allowed to withdraw her guilty plea. Twenty-nine-year-old Danielle Hook was about to be sentenced Tuesday when she learned the judge wasn’t going to agree to suspended sentences for her sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy. District Judge Chad Kepros said Wednesday Hook wasn’t eligible for suspended sentences because she was a mandatory reporter of child abuse and her victim was younger than 18. Instead of suspended sentences, she was looking at serving up to 15 years in prison.
Administrative Law Judge Says Des Moines Superintendent Violated His Ethical Duty
(Des Moines, IA) — An administrative law judge says the Des Moines superintendent of schools violated his ethical duty by keeping students out of school last fall. Judge David Lindgren didn’t determine any punishment for Superintendent Tom Ahart during Thursday’s hearing. Assistant Attorney General Jesse Ramirez told the judge he doesn’t believe Ahart’s license should
be revoked, but he should be sanctioned. Ahart’s attorney argued there should be no punishment at all because his client was just carrying out the instructions from the Des Moines school board.
