Home News Wednesday News, January 12th

Wednesday News, January 12th

Firefighters Respond To House Fire Call Tuesday Evening

(Le Mars) — Le Mars firefighters were called to 211 2nd Avenue S.E. last evening (Tuesday) for what turned out to be a bed mattress that was on fire.  The alarm came in at approximately 7:28 p.m.  When firefighters had arrived at the scene, smoke had filled the structure.  The family living at the home were able to escape the structure without injuries, although they were checked out by EMT’s at the scene for some possible smoke inhalation.  Firefighters were on the scene for approximately 45 minutes.

 

 

 

Governor Reynolds Calls For Flat Tax During Condition Of The State Address

(Des Moines) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivered her “Condition of the State” address to lawmakers last evening, (Tuesday) and was sounding optimistic and up-beat about the state’s future.  Saying that Iowa is the state of opportunity, the governor reviewed some of the achievements from last year’s general session.  Her first goal that she discussed for legislators to consider for this session is a reform of the tax code.

(photo contributed.)

Reynolds is proposing a “flat tax” calling her plan a “flat and fair tax.”

The Iowa governor then gave the specifics of the flat tax and reduction plan.

Other goals that Reynolds discussed during her “Condition of the State” address was to use federal ESSR funds to give teachers a $1000 bonus for their work and coming to classes during the COVID virus era.  She also mentioned offering a $1000 bonus to law enforcement officers as a retention bonus.

 

 

 

Legislators React To Governor Reynolds’ Speech

(Des Moines) –– Reaction to the governor’s speech was what you would imagine, republican lawmakers were excited, while democratic lawmakers remain skeptical, saying her proposals would only benefit the wealthy, but would not help the middle and lower income families.  Republican House Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says he enjoyed Governor Reynolds’ speech.

(photo contributed.)

Jeneary says the governor’s plan calling for a “flat tax” caught his attention.

Republican State Senator, Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center was also enthused about the governor’s goals.

(photo contributed.)

Taylor says although he likes the idea of implementing a flat tax plan, he also admits there are some concerns with a flat tax proposal.

Governor Reynolds also highlighted her goals with expanding childcare programs, and to make them available and affordable.  She indicated an interest of funding money for additional grant opportunities to better assist start-up and existing childcare facilities.  Reynolds, in her address spoke specifically of the Bright Start Daycare located in Hull.

Taylor says he appreciated the fact the governor spoke about a childcare facility within his legislative district.

 

 

 

Third Pipeline Proposed To Run Through Iowa

(Des Moines, IA)  —  Another company has stepped up with a third proposal to build a carbon capture pipeline across the state of Iowa.  Wolf Carbon Solutions and Archer-Daniels-Midland’s project would result in the construction of a 350-mile pipeline running from eastern Iowa to central Illinois.  The company claims the project would be able to capture 12 million tons of carbon from A-D-M’s ethanol plants in Clinton and Cedar Rapids.  Landowners and environmentalists have pushed back hard against the first two proposed pipelines.  Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator C-O-2 Ventures met strong resistance to their plans for pipelines crossing Iowa.

 

 

 

State Of Iowa Agrees To Settle Lawsuit Filed By DHS Social Worker

(Des Moines, IA)  —  Iowa lawmakers are expressing their frustration with state department heads accused of creating a hostile work environment.  The State Appeal Board Tuesday agreed to pay almost a million dollars to settle a lawsuit filed by a social worker at the Iowa Department of Human Services.  Jennifer Jackson says her female supervisor made vulgar comments and grabbed the breasts of female employees.  State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald says every second grader should know how to behave yet the state keeps finding itself paying out big settlements.

 

 

 

Iowa’s Governor Wants “Transparency For Parents” When It Comes To Books

(Des Moines, IA)  —  Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says she wants “transparency for parents” when it comes to the books used to teach their children.  Some parents have been pressuring state schools to ban some books they find inappropriate.  The governor’s proposal would require schools to list online all of the titles of their textbooks and all of the books available for checkout in their libraries.  Reynolds says this is a “free country with free expression,” but there is a difference when it comes to assigning some books a required classroom reading.

 

 

 

Iowa Legislator Crafting Law to Apply to Proposed Carbon Pipeline Projects

(Des Moines, IA)  —  A key lawmaker is drafting a plan to require that 70 to 75 percent of landowners agree to a carbon pipeline project before state regulators could approve seizure of the remaining property through eminent domain.  G-O-P Representative Bobby Kauffman of Wilton chairs the House State Government Committee and says he’s pro-landowner.  Kauffman says,” I’m pro you deciding what to do with your farm or your business or your home unless you’re doing something stupid like commuting a crime or not paying your taxes and the process has worked so far, but someday it’s not.”  In 2006, the Iowa legislature overrode Governor Vilsack’s veto of a law that has limited the authority of local governments to seize private property for economic development projects.  Kaufmann said current state law requires transmission lines and pipelines that ship electricity or products through the state to sign up a majority of landowners before the Iowa Utilities Board can grant eminent domain to seize the rest.

 

 

 

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Says Reynolds Should Address Taxes Later

(Des Moines, IA)  —  Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deidre DeJear says the state is at “a very critical juncture” and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds should do more to address weaknesses in Iowa’s health care and education systems and find ways to attract more workers to the state.  De Jear said, “these challenges are incredible distractions related to our growth opportunity.”  Reynolds gave her annual ‘Condition of the State’ address Tuesday and plans to reveal a bold, yet practical plan to cut income taxes.  DeJear said she, too, will release a plan for targeted tax relief later in the year, but says right now the state needs to address the critical needs of Iowans.  She says, “tax cuts should be the least of our concern.”  DeJear said Iowans also tell her mental health services are still lacking and the State of Iowa needs to address that crisis as well.

 

 

 

Car Crashes Into Starmont School Bus With 40 Students Onboard

(Arlington, IA)  —  Authorities in northeast Iowa say everybody is okay after a car crashed into a school bus with 40 students onboard.  The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office says a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old boy rear-ended the Starmont school bus this (Tuesday) morning on Highway 187 near Arlington.  None of the students were hurt in the crash.  They were transferred to another bus and taken back to Starmont School.  The driver of the car suffered minor injuries and his vehicle was totaled.  Deputies say the bus was slowing down due to a vehicle broken down on the side of the road.  Damage to the school bus is estimated at five-thousand dollars.

 

 

 

$2 Million Powerball Ticket Sold at Casey’s in New Hampton

(New Hampton, IA)  —  Someone who bought a Powerball ticket in Iowa is now a millionaire.  The Iowa Lottery says a ticket purchased at a Casey’s store in New Hampton for Monday’s drawing matched all five numbers and the Power Play option.  That means it is worth two-million dollars.  The numbers were 14-17-18-21-27 and the Powerball was 9.  The Power Play option was 2.  No players matched all six numbers last night.