Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two Iowa county treasurers recently vacationed with the businessman who runs the website where their residents pay taxes, staying at his Florida beach property for free in an apparent violation of a state ethics law. Dubuque County Treasurer Eric Stierman and Winneshiek County Treasurer Wayne Walter confirmed the trip in response to questions from The Associated Press.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — House Republicans are moving forward with a bill that would stop cities and counties from raising property taxes by more than 2 percent. The bill would allow voters to seek a referendum to approve spending increases above 2 percent. A House Ways and Means subcommittee moved the bill forward Wednesday and it’s expected to move through a full House committee within the next week. Republican Rep. Lee Hein says lawmakers have heard from voters concerned about rising property taxes.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Forecasters say major flooding is likely in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa over the next couple days and some rural roads already had to be closed after being covered with water. The National Weather Service says this week’s significant rain is especially problematic because much of the region is still covered by a blanket of snow and the ground is still frozen, so the rail flows right into streams and rivers.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Associated Press tested the public’s ability to access police video in use-of-force cases and was met with a series of denials. In rejecting or delaying the requests, most law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cited exemptions that allow them to keep records of pending investigations secret. That’s not the case everywhere. Some departments have begun releasing officer videos within days or weeks of a major incident.