LE MARS FIRE RESCUE DECEMBER REPORT
The latest monthly report from Le Mars Fire-Rescue says there were 153 calls for service in December, 2024.
33 were fire/rescue calls, which include special operations, requests for services, staff calls and investigations. There were 120 were EMS/rescue calls. They include emergency calls, vehicle accidents and hospital transfers. 85 were 911 calls, 35 were transfers in and out of Le Mars, and 9 involved second calls.
Other highlights include a retirement coffee for Asst. Fire/EMS Chief Mike Wise. Interviews are being conducted for the Assistant Chief position. Tow fire/rescue members were promoted to Battaliaon Chiefs, and two new employees were hired.
REPUBLICANS HOLD ‘SUPER MAJORITIES’ IN IOWA HOUSE AND SENATE
The 2025 legislative session started today with Republicans in control of the debate agenda for the ninth consecutive year — but it’s the first time in decades Republicans are holding supermajorities in both the House and Senate. House majority leader, State Representative Matt Windschitl, says his primary job as majority leader is counting to 51 — the number of votes needed to pass a bill in the House.
20 of those House Republicans are first time lawmakers. Rep. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says organizing all of these lawmakers is a big task.
Democrats in the legislature say they’ll press to hold Republicans accountable for policies that aren’t supported by a majority of Iowans. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the 33 Democrats in the House represent over a million Iowans. Senator Janice Weiner is the third Democrat to serve as Senate Minority Leader in the past 19 months.
Senate Republicans had a “super majority” for the past two years and have one again this year. There are just 15 Democrats in the Senate today — the lowest number since 1970.
A special election is scheduled for January 28th to fill the senate seat previously held by Chris Cournoyer of LeClaire. Cournoyer resigned in December, just before Governor Reynolds appointed Cournoyer to be lieutenant governor.
LE MARS SCHOOL BOARD MEETS
The Le Mars Community School Board meets tonight. Their agenda includes a presentation from consultant ISG regarding the new elementary school construction documents. There are several recommendations for the board to consider. Action items include a number of personnel items, including resignations and new contracts. The board will also consider entering into a real estate purchase agreement for property adjacent to the high school.
REMSEN CHAMBER MEETING
The annual meeting of the Remsen Chamber of Commerce takes place at noon today at the Golden Pheasant restaurant. The program includes an overview of 2024 Chamber events, an Employee/Citizen of the Year presentation, and presentation of the Business of the Year. Doors open at 11-30 this morning.
2025 IOWA LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS AT 10 A.M. TODAY
This year’s Iowa legislative session begins today. Republicans will have control of the debate agenda for the 9th consecutive year — but for the first time since the 1970s there will be “super majorities” in both the House and Senate. There are 67 Republicans in the Iowa House and 34 Republicans in the Senate. A special election is scheduled for January 28th to fill the vacancy created last month when Governor Kim Reynolds appointed state Senator Chris Cournoyer of LeClaire as lieutenant governor.
PROPERTY TAX LIMITATIONS ARE PRIORITY ISSUE FOR GOP IN 2025
Republican lawmakers say setting new limits on property taxes is their top priority for this year’s legislative session.
State Representative Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says some Iowans are concerned about rising property taxes.
Local governments are concerned about the legislature placing a cap on property valuation growth, which impacts property tax revenues.
Rep. Jeneary says something has to be done to alleviate financial pressure on elderly homeowners.
Rep. Jeneary doesn’t think a solution will be found in this legislative session.
House Speaker Pat Grassley says he’s aiming for a very aggressive, bold approach that provides certainty for property owners. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says it’s time for a holistic review of the state’s complicated property tax system. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst says Democrats support property tax relief, but not to the extent it would lead to cuts in police and fire departments.
THUNE STATES SENATE PRIORITIES
The new U.S. Senate majority leader, Republican John Thune of South Dakota, laid out his priorities in a speech on the Senate floor last week.
Thune says the Senate will address the illegal immigration crisis by considering the Laken Riley bill just passed this week by the U.S. House.
The bill is named after the 22-year-old Athens, Georgia nursing student who was murdered by an illegal immigrant while out for a morning jog last year. The suspect had been arrested twice in the United States and never deported.
The Senate will also be working to get President Trump’s team in place as this week, Senate committees will begin holding confirmation hearings on Trump’s cabinet nominees:
Thune says the Senate will also take a vote to support Israel and take up the budget reconciliation process.
That will include border security funding, investing in improvements to improve military readiness, restore American energy dominance and extend the tax relief that Republicans delivered during the first Trump administration.
