SENATE PASSES BILL TO REGULATE ‘PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS‘
The Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would offer some financial protections to pharmacies dealing with P-B-Ms — pharmacy benefit managers. Republican Senator Mike Klimish (KLEH-mish) of Spillville says 36 other states have taken steps to try to tackle the P-B-M industry’s pricing system.
Iowa pharmacies have been lobbying for action for several years, arguing they’re losing money on filling prescriptions managed by P-B-Ms.
The bill would require that pharmacy benefit managers pay a dispensing fee to small pharmacies and P-B-Ms would no longer be able to force patients to get their medications from a mail-order pharmacy. Senator Trone Garriott, a Democrat from Waukee, says the bill needs more work.
The bill passed the Senate on a 36 to 14 vote. A similar bill cleared the House Commerce Committee in February, but has not been debated in the full House.
LE MARS SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TODAY TO ADOPT NEW LABOR AGREEMENT
A special meeting of the Le Mars Community School Board is scheduled for noon today at the Education Service Center. Two items are on the agenda. One is approval of a tentative agreement with the Le Mars Community Education Association for the 2025-26 Master Contract. This contract includes a 2% base pay increase to $44,124 dollars. Total salaries under the agreement would total 464-thousand dollars in the 25-26 fiscal year. There would also be a base pay increase for school nurses by 5-thousand dollars. There are also changes in arrival and dismissal times, advancement on the salary schedule, and temporary leaves.
LE MARS LABORSHED SURVEY
The Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation, Iowa Workforce Development, and Iowa Economic Development Authority, are working to complete a laborshed survey of the Le Mars area. Le Mars Economic Development Director Mark Gaul says state economic development officials have done many of these studies over the years.
The survey helps local and state officials better understand the workforce in Le Mars.
Industry surveys took place in March. Now, a survey of employees is going to take place. It will be done by a letter sent to Le Mars-area residents. Later, a phone survey will be done.
Gaul says Le Mars-area businesses, the city of Le Mars, and state officials can all benefit from the results of the survey. It will also help the city with its Vision 2045 economic development plan.
LE MARS STREET WORK DOWNTOWN
On Wednesday, April 30th at 5 a.m. starting at Central Ave NW/NE the Le Mars Street Dept. will close 1st St. starting at Central going one block west and one block going east. Barkley Asphalt will be laying new asphalt. Street Closure will be all day Wednesday and possibly Thursday morning.
BRIDGE PROJECTS BEFORE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved a contract for a local bridge project on Diamond Ave., two miles east of Akron. The project includes removal of a 29 foot steel beam bridge with a 40 foot precast concrete deck bridge. Richards Construction of Sac City was the low bidder on the project at 126-thousand dollars.
County Engineer Tom Rohe also asked for direction on a potential bridge replacement project on Echo Road near Elk Ave. Rohe says he’s considering plans to replace a 20 foot local bridge with steep abutments, with an 80 foot bridge. The bridge is still in use by local farmers, but it’s deteriorating. The estimated cost of the project is some 260-thousand to 300-thousand dollars. Rohe says he’s trying to find ways to cut the cost of the project. It’s a choice between removing the old bridge and closing the road, or building a new bridge and turning it over to the local users.
PERKINS ARRESTED ON WARRANT
A Sheldon man was arrested in Plymouth County after a traffic stop last weekend. Friday, shortly before midnight, a Plymouth County Deputy initiated a traffic stop on Highway 60 and 120th Street, a mile north of Seney. The vehicle was registered to a Damian Lee Perkins, age 48 of Sheldon. Perkins had an arrest warrant out of Story County, Iowa for violation of probation – theft 3rd. Mr. Perkins was arrested and booked into the Plymouth County Jail on the Story County warrant.
GROWING PRESSURE ON SENATE GOP LEADERSHIP OVER PIPELINE BILLS
Nine Senate Republicans are taking the rare step of delivering speeches in the Iowa Senate, each calling on G-O-P leaders to allow debate on bills to preserve the private property rights of Iowans who don’t want the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline on their land.
Senator Jeff Taylor, a Republican from Sioux Center, says it’s unjust and unconstitutional to grant the company eminent domain authority to seize property for the project.
Senator Kevin Alons, a Republican from Salix, says he won’t vote for any bills to fund state government until Republican leaders allow the senate to consider pipeline bills.
Senator Doug Campbell, a Republican from Mason City, says his margin of victory in the 2024 campaign was due to his support of property owners fighting the pipeline.
Senator Sandy Salmon, a Republican from Janesville, has long said the project will not benefit the public, but will benefit the pipeline developer.
Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, says Republican leaders haven’t allowed debate of the pipeline-related bills because they are afraid of Bruce Rastetter, the founder of Summit Carbon Solutions and a prominent donor to Republican candidates.
A spokesperson for Senate Republican leaders was not immediately available for comment after the Senate adjourned late Tuesday morning.
