SUPREME COURT NOMINATION
The Senate Judiciary Committee Monday cast a tie vote on the nomination of Judge Ketanji
Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court. The vote was 11-11, cast along party lines.
US Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, ranking member of the committee, voted against the nomination. He said he has significant differences with Brown Jackson over judicial philosophy.
Senator Grassley said normally, he would vote for a nominee to the court, so long as they are qualified and competent. In this case, he said parts of her record are being kept from the committee members.
The tie vote means the full Senate will vote on the nomination. A simple majority of 51 votes is needed to advance her nomination. It appears likely Brown Jackson will have enough votes to win the nomination from the full chamber.
3 Republican Senators have already pledged support to the nominee, along with 50 Democrats.
PLYMOUTH SUPERVISORS
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors meets this morning at their board room.
Their agenda includes continued discussion and possible action on projects to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Under new business, the Board is scheduled to consider and approve a change order for the District Court room renovation project.
The County Engineer will bring several action items before the Board, including right of way permits for extension of rural water service, and a funding agreement for a project on County Road K-42.
The meeting begins at 9-30 am.
LE MARS COUNCIL
The Le Mars City council meets in regular session today.
Their agenda includes several action items. One involves approval of the permitting process for parades held in the city. Another addresses bridge repair at 24th Street SW. A third item is an engineering services agreement for wastewater disinfection and forcemain cleaning.
The meeting today begins at noon.
PIPELINE BILL
The chair of a key budget subcommittee says it is unlikely an amendment to a budget bill will remain. State Senator Dennis Guth says the amendment postpones the Iowa Utility Boards’ consideration of eminent domain for construction of several carbon capture pipelines in Iowa. Guth says the amendment doesn’t belong in a budget bill anyway. Guth chairs a subcommittee that oversees the budget of the Iowa Utilities Board. Guth says he’s working with Senate leaders on a bill that would restrict the use of eminent domain in Iowa. But the bill won’t be ready until next year. Ethanol producers and some corn growers say the pipelines would reduce the carbon load from ethanol plants and, ultimately, benefit farmers by extending the life of the ethanol industry. Guth suggests the primary beneficiaries of carbon pipelines would be the private developers.
