(Radio Iowa) – Various interest groups lobbied for their preferred approach to tax changes during the hour-long virtual budget hearing Governor Kim Reynolds hosted this afternoon. Reynolds did not reveal her own plans, but made it clear she will propose tax cuts of some kind. “We’re not competitive. We’re not where we need to be,” Reynolds said. “I’m looking forward to working with the legislature and passing generational tax relief…and we absolutely should be moving in that direction.”

Chris Hagenow of Iowans for Tax Relief got the first speaking slot and called for “permanent reductions” in personal income tax rates. “Secondly, we think there’s an opportunity to make some progress on property taxes, specifically through a truth-in-taxation, direct notification system,” Hagenow said, “to give Iowans the tools to understand when their property taxes are going to be increased.”

A new Utah law requires citizens be notified when a city, county or school district intends to raise property taxes and be invited to a public hearing to voice concerns.

Some representatives of business groups urged the governor to cut corporate income taxes. Jessica Hyland of the Iowa Biotechnology Association urged Reynolds to maintain tax breaks for investors in start-up companies and the research and development tax credit for corporations. “We just hope you’ll kind of keep those in mind and keep those strong as you’re looking at overall tax reform,” Hyland said.

Others spoke in general terms, using phrases like” tax equity” for businesses. “AGC encourages tax policy that allows businesses to compete vigorously in worldwide market,” said Scott Newhard of the Associated General Contractors of Iowa

Sharon Presnall of the Iowa Bankers Association brought up the long-running dispute over the different ways banks and credit unions are taxed. “In the financial services sector, for example, we have vast difference in what financial service providers pay in income taxes,” she said, “and that inequity skews the competitive marketplace and it makes the task of delivering tax reform for all Iowans more difficult.”

Banks pay a state tax on their profits. Credit unions pay a state tax on their reserves. The Republican-led Senate voted to change that in 2018, but Republicans in the House — led by one of their own GOP members — rejected the idea.

(Radio Iowa) – Members of Sioux City’s 185th Iowa Air Guard refueling wing put together holiday care packages to send to the family members who have a member of the unit on deployment. Master Sergeant Stephanie Bowen says the 185th Family Readiness Office led the effort as a way to recognize the contributions made by family members during the holiday season.

“It isn’t just a member who is leaving — it also the family who is left behind and also taking on new roles,” she says. Bowen says every deployed member has already received care packages from other organizations and 185th wanted to use some of the many donated items to do something for the unit family members.

Putting together Care pkgs

“We have anything from your drink mixes to candy bars to toys. Carmel corn came from the Boy Scouts — which was amazing. We had toiletry items that were donated as well, so we were able to put those in those packages for the members’ families,” she says, “just to let them know that we are thinking about them at this time while their members are deployed.” They put together 50 packages that will be delivered to the families this week.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Thursday, reported that school districts are learning of an anonymous, nationwide threat against schools that is being shared on social media platforms. The general threat toward all U.S. schools declares Friday, Dec. 17, as “American School Shooting Day.” The posts warn about the possibility of nationwide shootings or bomb threats associated with this day.

School safety is a top priority for the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The Department is aware of this general threat and the Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center is working with law enforcement partners to assess and analyze open source reporting for specific threats.

“At this time, we are not seeing any specific or credible threats towards any schools in Iowa, but we are continuing to diligently monitor the situation,” said Assistant Director of the Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Pat Waymire. “No division within the Iowa Department of Public Safety has received any requests for assistance.”

Parents and guardians are encouraged take this opportunity to talk with their students about the appropriate use of social media, and the seriousness and resulting consequences of making any kind of threat. If anyone sees something suspicious, please report it to local law enforcement.

WASHINGTON – Today (Thursday), President Joe Biden signed a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Marine Corporal Daegan Page from Red Oak, Iowa. The bipartisan legislation awards the Congressional honor to all thirteen U.S. servicemembers who were killed while protecting civilians at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021.

Axne said “I’m proud to see the service and bravery of Marine Corporal Daegan Page honored today with the Congressional Gold Medal. Corporal Page made the ultimate sacrifice in Kabul this summer while protecting innocent civilians and his fellow servicemembers – and though I wish that this honor could return Corporal Page to his parents and his grateful nation, I hope his family and friends know that his service and bravery will never be forgotten.”

Daegan Page. (Photo from the FB memorial page.)

“The selfless actions of this young man and the twelve other service members who died alongside him were nothing short of heroic – and I’m glad that the measure that I co-sponsored to bestow this honor will now officially preserve his memory in our nation’s history forever.”

As of June 2021, the Congressional Gold Medal had only been awarded to 173 people or institutions since the award was created in 1776. In September, Rep. Axne voted to pass defense policy legislation that included an amendment co-sponsored by Axne to establish a memorial for the same thirteen servicemembers honored by today’s vote. Her office says Rep. Axne also recently led the Iowa delegation in the introduction of a resolution honoring the service and sacrifice of all Iowa servicemembers who served in Afghanistan over the past two decades.

DES MOINES – Iowa 3rd District Rep. Cindy Axne, Thursday,  announced that Iowa is receiving $651,082,865 in new federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law she helped get signed into law earlier this year. The funding administered by the Federal Aid-Highway Program, part of more than $5 billion that is projected to reach Iowa over the next five years, will create new jobs improving Iowa’s roads and bridges.

Iowa is ranked number one in the nation for number of structurally deficient bridges, with 4,571 bridges in poor condition. Nearly a quarter of all bridges in Iowa are in poor condition. In Iowa, more than 400 miles of highway are in poor condition. The average Iowa driver spends over $300 a year in costs related to driving on roads in need of repair.

Earlier this month, Rep. Axne announced the first $110,745,000 investment from the IIJA to upgrade Iowa’s aging water infrastructure and create jobs while addressing key challenges like lead in drinking water.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens honored heroic citizens and First Responders at the 2020 and 2021 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held this morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. A total of 35 individuals from communities across the state were recognized for their courageous responses. This was the second year the two awards programs were combined for one very special event that featured the Iowa State Patrol Honor Guard and the National Anthem performed by Trooper Nicholas Martin.

“President Calvin Coolidge once said that ‘heroism is not only in the man, but in the occasion.’ I think another way of expressing that sentiment is that moments of sudden, life threatening danger or severe hardship are testing grounds for the heroes among us,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “When circumstances thrust them onto testing grounds, today’s award winners responded. They sprang into action, showed unparalleled courage, and placed the safety of others ahead of their own.”

Added Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, “These Iowans intentionally and selflessly provided aid and assistance in times of need. It’s an honor to celebrate those who placed the needs of others above their own and answered the call to serve.”

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program recognizes recipients in four different categories including:
Lifesaving with Valor, which is awarded to those individuals who at the risk of their own life, attempted to save that of another.
Lifesaving, which is awarded to those individuals who have attempted to save the life of another individual, but did not put their own life in jeopardy.
Meritorious, which is awarded to those individuals in recognition of courageous and unselfish service rendered during a time of distress.
Outstanding Service, which is presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards honored 22 civilians. Here are the local recipients:
•    Daniel Gutschenritter – Lifesaving, Creston

Daniel Gutschenritter

Cameron Goodell

•    Cameron Goodell – Lifesaving with Valor, Missouri Valley

The Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor honors the memory of George, Frank, Joe, Matt and Albert Sullivan – all in their 20’s – who served together on the USS Juneau in the Guadalcanal naval battle in the fall of 1942. All five brothers died together in a tragic attack when two Japanese torpedoes struck their ship. This year’s ceremony recognized 13 First Responders from three county sheriff’s offices and three fire departments.

To make future nominations, or for general information on the Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards, visit the DPS website: www.dps.iowa.gov.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Two Cass County residents who excel in the spirit of selflessness and giving were presented Thursday afternoon, with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’ “Angels of Christmas” Award. Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith and Programs Coordinator Kelsey Beschorner along with Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson and some special guests, surprised Erich and Tammy Wickman at their place of business, Wickman Chemical, northeast of Atlantic. (Photo’s by KJAN’s Ric Hanson)

Chamber Director Bailey Smith surprises Tammy and Erich Wickman with the Angels of Christmas award.

The Wickman’s were nominated by their employees. (Read the nomination letter below)

The couple were presented with a framed certificate honoring their spirit and compassion.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson read the nomination letter and posed with the Wickmans.

Tammy was presented also with a bouquet of flowers from Chamber Director Bailey Smith. The Angel of Christmas is a tradition in Atlantic recognizing and thanking area residents who symbolize the true meaning of the season. Angels exemplify the true holiday spirit all year long–putting others first, spreading generosity and sharing the holiday spirit with everyone they meet.

The employees and owners of Wickman Chemical gather for a group photo.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Valley Business Park Board held a sale for the land at the Cass County Community Center, Thursday. The property sold for $16,000 per acre. The Board made the decision to sell the property back in October, 2021. The Park contains 156 acres of property located at the intersection of I-80 and Highway 71 in both Cass County and Audubon Counties. Iowa Land Co handled the auction.

Valley Business Park aerial outline (Via Atlanticiowa.com/cadco)

(Audubon, Iowa) Officials with the Audubon County Emergency Management Agency, Thursday, released a statement with regard to damage from Wednesday’s storm. Mike Jensen, Emergency Management Coordinator, said “The Audubon County Emergency Management, Audubon County Sheriff’s Office and several local officials spent the morning conducting total property damage assessments over most of the County. The Audubon County Secondary Roads Department is working today [Thursday] to clear debris from the roadways and reopen the roads.

“The impact of last night’s (Wednesday night’s) storms,” Jensen said, resulted in damage primarily to out buildings and downed trees. Damage ranging from moderate to total losses were noted. While we had damage throughout the county, the primary storm system path has been identified to be from south and west of Brayton, taking a northeasterly path crossing Highway 71 just north of Exira, and proceeding on to the northeast and east central portions of the county.”

Jensen concluded by saying “Audubon County Emergency Management is taking pro-active measures working with State officials, with regard to any forthcoming declarations.” He added, “If you (the citizens of Audubon County) have any further damages, please contact Emergency Management at 712-563-3483.

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has posted photos of the damage from Wednesday’s storms. Director Brian Hamman said on social media, “Storm damage from last nights storm and wind event seems to be sporadic throughout the county this morning. While there is some considerable tree and out building damage around, widespread damage is limited compared to some of our neighboring counties and communities. If you have damage and would like to post pictures, please do.

“A December severe weather event,” Hamman said, and ” is extremely rare and unprecedented in our area and I applaud all of our communities, business partners, local media and first responders for stepping up throughout the day to get the word out and to be prepared for what could have and eventually did happened. Please continue to use caution if you’re out and driving as there is still downed trees and power lines throughout the county. Public works and utility companies are out and doing their best to restore power and cleanup debris.”