Congressman Feenstra Says Federal Spending Needs To Be Cut
(Sioux City) — Two weeks ago, Congress passed a short term appropriations bill to keep the federal government funded through December 3rd. That briefly has resolved the debate on Capitol Hill over trillions in dollars of proposed spending by President Biden and Democrats that Republicans say will create too much national debt. Iowa Republican 4th District Congressman, Randy Feenstra says there is too much spending going on.
Feenstra says a balanced budget discussion is key for him to support any debt ceiling increase. He says inflation, that is escalating and resulting in higher gas prices and increasing food costs is really a new tax Americans are now paying.
One element proposed in the Democratic package is a non-starter for him. Having all personal bank deposits of $600 or more reported to the Internal Revenue Service.
Feenstra was in Sioux City Friday, touring the 185th Air National Guard Refueling Wing and met with the base commander and staff.
Reynolds Comments On Estimated Revenue Projections
(Des Moines) — Gov. Reynolds released the following statement Friday in response to the Revenue Estimating Conference projections:
Reynolds says, “The REC forecast released on Friday shows that Iowa’s economy has come back strong in the wake of the pandemic because we kept our businesses open,” Reynolds said. “It also reaffirms the need to cut taxes and return the overcollection of taxpayer dollars. I’ll be working with my team and legislative leaders to introduce legislation that will build upon our previous historic tax cuts and will continue to return to Iowans their hard-earned money while ensuring our state prospers and grows.”
Governor Reynolds Extends The Waiver On Weight Limits For Iowa Roads
DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an extension to the proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain.
The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through November 14, 2021. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage and stover to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.
This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.
State Trooper Critically Injured in Northeast Iowa Crash
(Postville, IA) — The Iowa State Patrol says a state trooper is hospitalized in critical condition after a crash late Thursday night near Postville. Trooper Ted Benda was assisting the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office when he was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 51. Officials say says Benda was airlifted to Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement saying she and her husband extend heartfelt thoughts and prayers to State Trooper Benda as well as his family, friends and law enforcement partners.
Pleasant Valley High School’s Russell Named Iowa Teacher of Year
(Bettendorf, IA) — A teacher from the Quad Cities area is being named as Iowa’s Teacher of the Year. Sara Russell teaches social studies at Pleasant Valley High School and is in her 19th year of teaching. Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo says Sara is a teacher leader, mentor to first-year teachers and an advocate of collaborative learning environments. Governor Reynolds said outstanding educators like Sara ensure our students are well prepared for careers and education beyond high school. Russell, her husband Ian, and their 13-year-old twin sons, Gavin and Aiden, live in Bettendorf.
Ex-Eldridge Officer Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Teenage Girl
(Davenport, IA) — Former Eldridge police officer Andrew Denoyer is pleading not guilty to three counts of third-degree sexual abuse. Twenty-four-year-old Denoyer entered his pleas Thursday in Scott County. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says he was arrested in late September for the alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl on May 1st. Denoyer had been with the Eldridge P-D since August 2020. He worked for the Davenport Police Department from 2018-2020. Denoyer is tentatively scheduled to stand trial in late January.
Remains Found Near Montezuma Confirmed As Missing 10-Year-Old Boy
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa State Medical Examiner has notified the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Department that the remains found three miles northeast of Montezuma are those of Xavior Harrelson. The remains were discovered in a rural area on September 30th. Three weeks before the discovery authorities had received a tip that led them to search the Fox Forest County Recreation Area. Harrelson was reported missing from his Montezuma home on May 27th. The victim was last seen riding his bicycle in Montezuma, where he lived with his mother. The cause of his death has not been released.
Legislative Services Agency: Iowa General Revenue In 2021 Up By $870M
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa state revenues are much higher, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Holly Lyons of the Legislative Services Agency is one of three members of the Revenue Estimating Conference. She says the dollar amount and percentage in fiscal 2021 exceeded any year since at least the 2001 fiscal year. Lyons says general fund net revenue for the year increased 870 million when compared to the fiscal year 2020 level. Lyons says that reflects an improving economy and massive federal assistance.
Killing Frost Not A Part Of Iowa’s Weather Picture – Yet
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan (Glisten) says frost has been a rare occurrence so for this fall. Frost happens when temperatures get down to 32 degrees and the killing frost that ends the growing season happens at 28 degrees. Glisan says some cities have been reporting overnight lows that are typically daytimes highs and we are running about nine degrees above average for the first 15 days of the month. Those warm temperatures have kept the frost away longer than usual and that may not change for a while.
