Legislators Comment On School Supplemental Aid Bill
(Le Mars) — Governor Kim Reynolds’ first legislation signed into law this year was the school supplemental aid bill which will allocate to Iowa’s schools a 2.5 percent increase for school spending. The plan gives schools an estimated 159 million dollars in new money. Republican State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars tells of what is and was is not included in the bill.
State Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center says Democrats were wanting a larger percentage devoted to school funding, but he says Republicans wanted to be certain they could pay for the increase, and be sustainable.
Other action taken by the state House of Representatives was the passing of the proposed “flat tax” bill.
Jeneary calls the passed legislation as being “historic”.
State Representative Jeneary will hold another round of town hall meetings today at Kingsley and Pierson. He will be at the Kingsley Community Center at 10:00 a.m. and at the Pierson Community Hall at 12:00 noon. The town hall meetings are open to the public.
Le Mars Board of Education To Hold Special Meeting
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Community Board of Education will hold a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 22nd at 5:00 p.m. at the Education Service Center. The school board will present their initial bargaining position proposal to the Le Mars Education Association. Earlier this week, the teachers, through their chief negotiator, Tracey Wingert, submitted a proposal calling for a 4.04 percent increase, or an increase of $1600 in the base salary pay. If approved, the base salary would be at $41,215. The Le Mars Education Association is also seeking at least 200 minutes each week for preparation time.
Legion To Hold Steak Fry And Eagles To Hold Buffet And Auction
(Le Mars) — If you are looking to go out this evening, you have a few choices. You may want to visit the American Legion Hall as the Wasmer Post #241 will have their monthly steak fry. For $20 you can get a rib-eye steak with baked potato, corn, Texas Toast, salad, and ice cream. The legionnaires will serve their steak fry between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Another choice is at the Eagles Club. The Le Mars Eagles Club will hold its Eagles Charity Night beginning with a broasted chicken and broasted pork chop buffet starting at 5:00 p.m. Tom Schroeder serves as the coordinator of the local Eagles Charity Auction. He shares with us the evening’s activities.
Schroeder tells of some of the items that will be placed on tonight’s auction.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles member says tonight’s event is open to the public, as you don’t need to be a member of the Eagles to participate. He says much of the money to be raised from this evening’s event will remain for local projects. However, the Eagles have designated a children’s cancer center to receive some of the funds.
Schroeder says the local Eagles club hopes to raise around 8,000 to 10,000 dollars through tonight’s event.
Following the auction will be Kenny’s Karaoke. Schroeder says there will be a full evening of fun at the Eagles Club. He says doors will open at 4:00 p.m. with the buffet to start at 5:00 p.m.
Regional Swine Meeting Scheduled For Monday At Orange City
(Le Mars) — Pork producers will want to attend a Regional Swine Seminar that is scheduled for Monday, February 21st to be held at the Sioux County Extension and Outreach offices at Orange City. Swine specialist Dave Stender says the program will feature three speakers talking about timely topics. Stender says he will teach the Pork Quality Assurance program during the morning hours for those pork producers that need to be re-certified. Then the regional meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. with Dr. Chris Radamacher, the state’s swine veterinarian, talking about several swine diseases.
Following Dr. Radamacher will be Joe Kerns from Partners for Production Agriculture, and he will be discussing the many opportunities available to farmers, and what the markets are showing.
Lee Schultz, the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach livestock marketing specialist will conclude the program with an outlook on hog and pork prices, as well as other factor influencing the livestock industry.
The regional swine meeting is being co-sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, along with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Four Rescued From Grain Bin Rupture
(Mount Vernon, IA) — Four people were rescued after a grain bin ruptured, burying them in corn on Friday morning. K-C-R-G T-V reports the Linn County Sheriff’s Office was called around 9:30 a-m just north of Mount Vernon. Investigators said two people were setting up the grain bin to unload corn, but when they tried to open the outer door, corn rushed out, covering them. Two other people, who saw it happen, rushed to help and also became trapped. One person was taken to the hospital for what are described as non life-threatening injuries — and the others were treated at the scene.
Governor Concerned About Statewide Sales Tax Proposal
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds says she has concerns about the Senate G-O-P’s idea to convert more than 800 local option sales taxes into one statewide tax to help fill the empty Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Fund. Reynolds says the move imposes a one percent sales tax in three counties and four dozen cities that aren’t collecting it today. She says the state has to be careful about raising taxes right now with inflation at a 40-year high. Reynolds says fellow Republicans in the House and Senate are about two-thirds of the way toward reaching a final agreement on a tax plan.
State Approves Tax Incentives For Multiple Businesses
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board today approved awards for four Iowa companies. Cargill received state tax benefits to modernize its Fort Dodge facility equipment where it makes food ingredients from corn. Cold-Link Logistics of Miami, Florida was given state incentives for a multi-phased cold storage facility planned in Sioux City that would create 60 new jobs. Hydrite Chemical was awarded tax benefits to help expand its Waterloo facility which manufacturers and distributes chemical products in the U-S. They also plan to expand the transportation fleet and warehouse space and create 20 jobs. Buena Vista County Platinum Crush was awarded tax benefits to develop a soybean crushing facility near Alta in Buena Vista County. The company predicts the facility will crush 38 million bushels of soybeans annually when fully operational in 2024. The project is expected to create 51 jobs.
Supreme Court Declines To Hear COVID Bar Lawsuit
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Supreme Court has declined to take up a lawsuit filed by bar and tavern owners who were forced to close by a COVID public health disaster proclamation in August of 2020. The governor’s proclamation required bars in six counties to close due to rising cases of COVID — and six establishments in Polk and Dallas County sued. The governor later rescinded her order and the district court dismissed the lawsuit. The bar owners asked the Supreme Court to still rule on the case. The Court declined — saying the issues are important — but many of the conditions during late summer of 2020 are unlikely to be replicated — and a decision would not prevent future clashes over different pandemic-related orders made under changed conditions.
Governor Reynolds Appoints District Court Judge
DES MOINES– Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced her appointment of David Cox as a district court judge in Judicial District 6.
Cox, of North Liberty, Iowa, currently serves as a magistrate in Johnson County and practices law with Bray & Klockau, P.L.C. in Iowa City. Cox received his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law.
Cox fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Mary Chicchelly to the Iowa Court of Appeals. Judicial District 6 includes Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Tama counties.
Jeneary Journal
Greetings from the Statehouse,
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