IOWA BUSINESS COUNCIL
The Iowa Business Council released its third-quarter Economic Outlook Survey for this year. Their index for the next quarter is 58.75. 50 is growth neutral. This projection is down a little over five points from the previous quarter. It marks three consecutive quarters of declining optimism in the state economy. The survey measures three factors – expectations for sales, capital spending and employment over the next six months. Sales expectations decreased 6.5 points, Capital spending expectations decreased 10.4 points, and employment increased 1.5 points from the second quarter. Primary business challenges cited in the survey include attracting and retaining a quality workforce; unfavorable business climate, and inflation. The IBC is made up of representatives of Iowa’s largest employers, including Wells Enterprises of Le Mars; Casey’s General Stores; Hy-Vee; UnityPoint Health; and Corteva Agriscience
AUDITOR CANDIDATE WINS SUIT
A jury has awarded the Republican candidate for state auditor a million dollars in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the State of Iowa. Todd Halbur was hired to be the comptroller of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division in 2015 and fired in mid-2018. Halbur says he was demoted, then fired for being a whistleblower about prices on some products that were higher than allowed by law. Halibur’s supervisors say pricing changes were made after Halbur raised the issue and he was fired for other reasons. The state could appeal the jury’s verdict. Last year, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned a one-and-a-half million dollar jury award to the state’s former workers compensation commissioner. Halbur is a small businessman and realtor from Clive. Halbur defeated a state legislator from western Iowa to win the G-O-P’s nomination for state auditor, but he’s raised little money in his race. State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, is running for a second term.
MULCHING LEAVES
Some Iowa trees that were stressed by the drought are already starting to drop their leaves, but soon, homeowners across the state will be delving into the chore of leaf raking. Adam Thoms, a horticulture professor at Iowa State University and a turfgrass extension specialist, says there may be a better alternative to raking that doesn’t require you to buy those leaf recycling bags some Iowa cities require.
While some lawn mowers are sold as mulcher mowers, just making a few passes will typically grind up the leaves sufficiently. Thoms says mulching this fall can bring a healthier lawn next spring.
Iowans who have bare patches in their lawns due to drought, construction or something else, might consider buying a bag of grass seed and a bale of straw.
This is also a good time to aerate your lawn, he says, as that process reduces compaction, improves soil health, and produces deeper rooted plants which should stay greener, longer during dry spells.
LEMARS APARTMENT FIRE
A fire early Sunday caused heavy damage to an appartment building in SE Le Mars.
Le Mars Fire Rescue was called to an apartment complex owned by Fred and Pete Zenk of Lemars, located at the corner of 12th St and 7th Ave.SE. The call came just before midnight Sunday morning.
Firemen came to the scene and found heavy flames up the south side, and the roof and attic of the buidling, While firemen knocked down the exterior of the building, Le Mars Police officers and Plymouth County Sheriffs deputies evacuated the apartments. The fire was put out in two hours, using an aerial ladder truck to attack the fire in the roof. A press release from Fire Rescue Chief Dave Schipper says the fire,which began on a deck on the south side of the building, was ruled an accident. The probable cause was improperly discarded smoking materials which caught combustible materials nearby to burn. Damage was estimated at 100-thousand dollars. Three of the six apartments in the building were rendered uninhabitable by fire, water and smoke damage. Residents of these apartments were helped by family, friends, and the Red Cross. Assisting LeMars Fire Rescue were Le Mars Police, the Plymouth County Sheriffs Department, Mid-American Energy, Orange City Fire Department, and the American Red Cross.
TWO ARRESTED
Two men were arrested in Sioux County early Sunday morning, after a short vehicle chase and a search. The Sheriffs Department arrested 37 year old Jeremy Langley of Springfield, South Dakota, and 40 year old Mark Stewart of Aurelia, Iowa. The arrests came after a short vehicle pursuit that one mile north of Maurice. A deputy attempted to stop a vehicle that Langley was driving. Langley began driving eratically, striking a vehicle parked near the Sioux County Regional Airport. The vehicle then struck an airport building, then the deputy’s vehicle. Langley and Stewart then fled from the vehicle into a nearby cornfield. A female passenger stayed in the vehicle. All were located in the field, and were taken into custody. Langley was charged with eluding, criminal mischief, interference, and several traffic violations. Stewart was charged with interference. The female was released to a family member without charges. The sheriff’s office was assisted by its drone unit, Orange City, Sioux Center, and Rock Valley Police Departments, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, Sioux Center Ambulance and Maurice First Responders.
TYSON REACT
Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says he’s disappointed with Tyson Food’s decision to shut down their Dakota Dunes operation and relocate those worker’s jobs to Arkansas. In a statement, Feenstra said he is disheartened and disappointed that Tyson made the abrupt and unexpected decision. The 4th District Republican says Tyson’s decision represents a complete disregard for the employees and families who have been loyal to Tyson for more than two decades. He urges the company to consider the devastating impact of this decision, and reconsider keeping their Dakota Dunes office open and operational.
CHILD POVERTY
A new report finds the rate of Iowa children living below the federal poverty line fell significantly in the past quarter-century. The study by the non-profit Child Trends found child poverty rates in the state dropped from 19-percent in 1993 to just six-percent by 2019. Avenel (AV-ah-nel) Joseph, vice president for policy at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, says she’s encouraged by this trend, but is concerned it won’t last.
Joseph says the expansion of economic assistance policies is a major factor in the drop of child poverty rates.
Nationwide, the report found child poverty fell an unprecedented 59-percent over the past 25 years.
AUDITOR CANDIDATE WINS SUIT
A jury has awarded the Republican candidate for state auditor a million dollars in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the State of Iowa. Todd Halbur was hired to be the comptroller of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division in 2015 and fired in mid-2018. Under Iowa’s liquor control system, the state acts as the wholesaler for Iowa businesses that buy liquor to sell to customers. Halbur says he was demoted, then fired for being a whistleblower about prices on some products that were higher than allowed by law. Halibur’s supervisors say pricing changes were made after Halbur raised the issue and he was fired for other reasons. The state could appeal the jury’s verdict. Last year, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned a one-and-a-half million dollar jury award to the state’s former workers compensation commissioner. Halbur is a small businessman and realtor from Clive. Halbur defeated a state legislator from western Iowa to win the G-O-P’s nomination for state auditor, but he’s raised little money in his race. State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, is running for a second term.
STATE TREASURER DEBATE
The Republican candidate for state treasurer says if elected, he’ll be an advocate for more state tax cuts. Republican Roby Smith of Davenport has served in the state senate for the past 12 years.
The Democratic incumbent Michael Fitzgerald says his responsibility as state treasurer is managing the state’s money and keeping it safe.
Smith is accusing Fitzgerald of mismanaging “College Savings Iowa” — a so-called five-29 program which lets parents and grandparents set aside money tax-free for a child’s education. Smith cites a recent report from an agency that rates investments like mutual funds.
Fitzgerald says Morningstar analysts misunderstood some of the investment options in College Savings Iowa.
Democrat Michael Fitzgerald has been state treasurer since 1983. The candidates made their comments during the Friday airing of “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.
