JENEARY – SCHOOL FUNDS
The Iowa House has approved a 3% increase in Supplemental State Aid in the next fiscal year. 3rd District Representative Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says the House measure is more than what the Senate and the Governor has proposed.
The 3% increase would come to an additional 146 million dollars in the next fiscal year, and increase per pupil spending by 229 dollars, to 78- hundred, 64 dollars.
Another funding item is increasing base pay for teachers.
The increase in base pay for public school teachers would take place over two years. Rep. Jeneary says there’s also a push to increase paraprofessional pay to 15 dollars per hour statewide.
FARM TO MARKET ROAD PROJECT
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved final plans for a road project west of Le Mars. The plan involves replacing and repaving the road surface of 3/10th of a mile of county road K-64, either side of the intersection of county road C-30,. east of Le Mars. The road will be closed during construction. Award of a construction contract will take place in mid-June.
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors today approved a permit for Frontier Communications to extend serving line across sections 21 and 22 on Shamrock Ave in Garfield Township. The county engineer, Tom Rohe, also detailed plans for construction of a new salt shed, and outlined the condition of the materials building on the property. Rohe also described new road maintenance assignments in the county, due to the retirements of two employees.
FEENSTRA TO FILE FOR ELECTION AT THE IOWA CAPITOL
Wednesday, Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) will file for re-election at the Secretary of State’s office at the Iowa Capitol. Feenstra is seeking a third term representing Iowa’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Three of the Iowa Republicans who serve in the U-S House have filed their nomination papers for the June Primary on the first day those lists of petition signatures are being accepted. Second District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion submitted more than 75-hundred signatures far more than what is needed. Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant submitted more than 10-thousand signatures on his nominating petitions for the third congressional district race and Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who’s seeking reelection in Iowa’s first congressional district, submitted her nominating papers. Candidates have until March 15th to get their petitions filed.
WOODBURY COUNTY STANDOFF
A suspect is hospitalized with a self inflicted gunshot wound following a pursuit and standoff in rural Woodbury County Monday.
Around 8:30 a.m., a Plymouth County Deputy was attempting to stop a truck occupied by a reportedly suicidal subject who had also threatened to kill law enforcement.
The pursuit came into Woodbury County where the suspect pulled into a farm field and exited his vehicle armed with a handgun.
Authorities determined the suspect had a warrant for violation of a protection order from Minnehaha County, South Dakota and was confirmed to be a convicted felon.
Due to his criminal history and threats toward law enforcement, the Woodbury County SWAT team and a crisis negotiator were activated along with members of the tri-county CERT team, members of the Iowa State Patrol tactical team and their respective Bearcat vehicles.
The suspect talked to the negotiator off and on until about 2:30pm when he turned the gun on himself and fired one shot.
Woodbury County tactical medics were on scene and rendered medical aid and the suspect was immediately taken to Mercy One with life threatening injuries.
He underwent surgery and his identity is being with held pending notification of family.
SUPERVISORS
Plymouth County’s Board of Supervisors meets this morning. On their agenda is an appointment of a township clerk, and a review and action on a Central Service Cost Allocation Plan. Two action items from the county engineer are also on the agenda for today.
JENEARY – LEGISLATURE UPDATE
A slow-moving state legislature is now beginning debate on bills, after a second funnel deadline passed. State Representative Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says a lot of time has been taken up debating changes for Area Education Agencies.
The House and Senate have their own versions of AEA Reform. Rep. Jeneary would rather wait and do a more comprehensive study of AEA’s.
Rep. Jeneary says the bills contain some regulatory hurdles that are impractical.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ plan for reforming AEAs has been set aside. Lawmakers are working on their own bills.
PORK PRODUCERS HONOR SCHROEDER
A pork producer from Le Mars was honored yesterday by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Andy Schroeder was honored with the IPPA’s Hog Wild Award, recognizing his contributions to the Plymouth County Pork Producers. Schroeder is president of the county organization, and has served on the board for ten years. He’s helped coordinate many projects, including donating hams to area food pantries during the holidays, as well as to local service members, police, medical professionals, and firefighters.
There were four nominees for the award, including Cherokee County Pork Producer Rod Parker. He’s served on the county Pork Producers Board for 19 years.
CANDIDATES CAN NOW FILE NOMINATION PAPERS FOR JUNE PRIMARY
Three of the Iowa Republicans who serve in the U-S House have filed their nomination papers for the June Primary on the first day those lists of petition signatures are being accepted. Second District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion submitted more than 75-hundred signatures far more than what is needed. Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant submitted more than 10-thousand signatures on his nominating petitions for the third congressional district race and Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who’s seeking reelection in Iowa’s first congressional district, submitted her nominating papers. Candidates have until March 15th to get their petitions filed.
BILL BOLSTERS IOWA LAW BANNING FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGLAND
Governor Kim Reynolds says American farmland needs to remain in American hands and she will quickly sign one of the first bills to clear the 2024 legislature. The bill closes a loophole that could let foreigners or foreign governments be investors in limited liability companies or involved in trusts that acquire Iowa farmland. The bill requires agland purchase reports filed with the state to include more information about ownership structures.
