(Radio Iowa) – The new Board of Regents Free Speech Committee met for the first time Wednesday on the heels of the governor signing a bill into law requiring free speech training at the three state universities. Regent and committee chair, Gretta Rouse of Emettsburg, made some comments as the meeting started. “As far as this committee goes, the most critical thing I want to emphasize is that free speech is a hallmark of our society — and in higher education, it is absolutely critical that we not only protect that right — but that we have it embedded in the education that the students receive,” Rouse says.

The new law came after lawsuits or concerns raised at the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa & Iowa State University. “Institutions of higher education must be places where the explanation of ideas is embraced as a core value,” Rouse says. “It has been said before — but I will say it again — the Regents absolutely support free speech and the formation of this committee is an example of how we take this issue very seriously.”

Rouse says the committee is charged with ensuring everyone’s free speech is allowed. “This group will continuously evaluate what our universities are doing to protect free speech, and we will continue to examine our policies, as well as continue to examine best practices from outside the regents system,” Rouse says. Regent staffer, Aimee Claeys, says the state law requires annual training. “The purpose of that is really to provide high-level training on the fundamentals of the First Amendment with a focus on freedom of expression,” Claeys says. “And to complement that training, the universities are committed to providing additional more in-depth training in targeted areas to target groups, such as training for administrators or faculty.”

The committee voted to explore hiring an outside company to develop a training program — as Claeys says that would likely be the best way to get the training started on the campuses this fall. She was asked if the training will be mandatory. “For this first year it would certainly be required, but at this point, we don’t anticipate there being any kind of student or employee penalty for not completing it,” she says. “We would instead use encouragement and reminders to reach full compliance.”

Claeys says they will review the compliance and take action if it is not up to the level they desire. The Free Speech Committee is also looking to develop a survey that could be used on all three campuses to gauge on-campus feelings about free speech.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says the state has made good progress on Covid vaccinations and she has no plan to offer the kind of incentives other states are trying — like college scholarships and lottery prizes — to encourage more people to get vaccinated. “I’m not going to do a lottery,” Reynolds says. “We’re still doing every thing we can. We are working with every venue we can.”

Reynolds points to pop-up clinics at farmers markets, Iowa Cubs baseball games and the Iowa Barnstormers indoor football games. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about six out of 10 adults in Iowa have had at least one Covid shot. Among Iowans 65 and older, the vaccination rate is 86 percent. “I am really happy with where we’re at,” Reynolds says. “If you go to the website and look at the states, we’re doing really well.”

Vermont has the nation’s highest percentage of its population fully vaccinated against Covid. Iowa ranks 19th, with nearly 44 percent of residents fully vaccinated.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s first female governor is ruling out a run for federal office and making it clear she’ll seek reelection in 2022. “I can say with great confidence I am not leaving Iowa,” Reynolds says.

Governor Kim Reynolds told reporters in Lake View yesterday (Wednesday) she has no intention of running for the U.S. Senate if Republican Senator Chuck Grassley decides not to run for reelection next year. In 2022, Reynolds will be running for reelection. “We’ll make a formal announcement later, but I’m not done with what I want to do. I’ve got some things I want to continue to work on,” Reynolds says. “I love this state…Our family’s here. I have 11 grandchildren here and so I want to stay in the state and you can work on policy and be effective in what you’re doing.”

Reynolds, a Republican, took over as governor four years ago when Terry Branstad resigned to become U.S. Ambassador to China. In 2018, she was elected to a full, four-year term. Several Democrats are considering a run for governor, including State Auditor Rob Sand who won his first statewide race in 2018.

The Atlantic City Council met Wednesday evening, and approved a request from Wild Willy’s Fireworks owner Mark O’Brien, for a permit to hold a Community Fireworks Demonstration event on June 12th. The demonstration will last about 45-minutes or so, and is scheduled to take place between 8-p.m. and 10-p.m. The demonstration be held just east of the Atlantic Little League diamonds, across from the KJAN Studios on north Olive Street. It’s intended to be a family friendly event, with the possibility of food vendors on site.

The Atlantic City Council also approved an order for an application to close East 6th Street between Chestnut and Poplar, from 10-a.m. until 12:30-p.m. on June 13th, for the benefit of children during a church service.  In other business, the Council, Wednesday, set June 16th as the date for a Public Hearing on the passage of an Ordinance (#1009), that would amend the City’s Code of Ordinances by changing the method of election from plurality, to primary and if necessary, run-off elections.

John Lund says Atlantic currently has a “plurality-takes-all” system, where someone only needs to get the most votes on the first and only ballot, to win (see the chart below). Under the alternative, Primary System, a true majority, 50.01 (or, 50+1, if you will) is required to become Mayor, a member of the Council, and Park Board. Iowa allows for both types of elections.

Lund says the benefits of changing to a majority system, include: The winner of the final vote has a genuine mandate to lead the City by a majority of the voters, and can claim their leadership and priorities are what Atlantic wants. And, it prevents a scenario where the Mayor is the plurality winner, not because they are a respected individual in the community, but because they have a devoted base of support, and respected candidates divide the vote. In this scenario, according to Lund, someone could become Mayor for four-years that half of the citizens or even a super majority, activity opposes.

In related news, the Council, also set June 16th as the date for a public hearing on an ordinance amendment that would change the term for Park Board members from six-years to four-years, which the Park Board indicates a couple of years ago, they wish to see implemented.

The Council set the wages for 2021 Pool personnel, and, after reviewing the contract and bonds, approved the W. 22nd Street Sidewalk Project contract and bonds. The sidewalk/walking path project was awarded to Henningsen Construction during the Council’s meeting May 19th, and came in under budget, in the amount of $103,904.56.

In one of the final items of business, the Council passed a Resolution eliminating a requirement that City Employees and visitors to city buildings must wear face masks. Councilman Gerald Brink said “Get rid of those stupid things [meaning, masks],” and Mayor Dave Jones said “If you ain’t got your shots, get your shots. You know…stop playin’ stupid games, go get your shots. You know, we get everyone healthy and keep goin’ that way.”

The Mayor reminded citizens also, to keep their lawns mowed, and Councilman Casady reminded people yard sale signs are NOT to be posted on street sign posts, utility poles, or in the grassy in the area between a street and the sidewalk, known as the City’s right-of-way.