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Proposed 2/3rds super majority rule for future Iowa income tax hikes

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa House Republicans are proposing a constitutional amendment to set a higher threshold for any future state income tax hike. If Iowa voters approve the change, two-thirds of the members of the Iowa legislature would have to vote to raise the state income tax on individuals or corporations. Democrats like Representative Dave Jacoby of Coralville opposes the move.

“Think about what you’re trying to change,” Jacoby said. “If this amendment passes…it will destroy our form of government and implement a super majority.” Democrats say the proposal would give veto power to 17 of 50 senators and 34 of the 100 state representatives and hamstring the ability of Iowa General Assemblies to respond to conditions in the future. Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton says other states led by Democrats have similar policies in place for decades.

“California, a blue state, put this into their constitution in 1979…Delaware 1980…This policy before us has been in the constitution of bright blue states. The sky did not fall,” Kaufmann said. “Every example of a (dystopian) future did not happen.”

A similar proposal has been introduced in the Iowa Senate. Proposed amendments Iowa’s Constitution must be approved by two General Assemblies before going on the ballot for Iowa voters to have the final say.

Two Men Sentenced in Connection with Workers Compensation Fraud

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, on Tuesday, said 40-year-old Trey Wysocki, of New Virginia, was sentenced on March 11, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class D Felony). And, 39-year-old Kristopher Stapes, of St. Charles, was sentenced on March 19, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of Accessory After the Fact (Simple Misdemeanor). Both men were sentenced following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.

The investigation began in February 2023, after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating that Wysocki and Stapes provided false information to an insurer in support of a workers’ compensation claim and received monetary benefits to which Wysocki would not otherwise have been entitled to.

The investigation determined that Wysocki was employed by Stapes when he cut his hand with a power saw while on the job. Wysocki submitted a workers compensation claim, stating that he was unable to work due to a severe injury to his hand.  The insurance company approved Wysocki to receive workers compensation benefits for the duration of time that he would be off work due to injury. The investigation found that Wysocki continued working for Stapes while also collecting workers compensation benefits. Wysocki received $1,055 in benefit payments he otherwise would have not been entitled to. Wysocki was arrested on September 6, 2023 and Stapes was arrested on September 7, 2023.

Photo L-R: Trey Wysocki, Kristopher Stapes – Photos courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Wysocki received a deferred sentence and was placed on probation for a period of two years. Wysocki was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,025. Stapes was ordered to pay a fine of $105 as well as restitution.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Lane closures on U.S. 59 south of Avoca begin on Monday, April 1

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – March 26, 2024 – If you are driving on U.S. 59 one mile south of Avoca in the coming weeks you need to be aware of a lane closure that may impact your trip.

Crews will begin replacing the other half of the bridge on U.S. 59 beginning on Monday, April 1, weather permitting. The roadway will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot lane width restriction. Trucks with wide loads traveling north of the work zone will be directed to use Iowa 83 and trucks with wide loads traveling south of the work zone will be directed to use U.S. 6.

You will be directed across the bridge with temporary signal lights.

Iowa’s Prairie Chicken Festival is April 6th in Ringgold County

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Kellerton, Iowa – The unique courtship of Iowa’s prairie chickens will be on full display at the Kellerton Grasslands Bird Conservation Area on April 6, during the annual Prairie Chicken Festival, in Ringgold County. The festival will be held at the Kellerton viewing platform, two miles west and one mile south of Kellerton. There is ample parking and the viewing platform is accessible for those with limited mobility.

Viewing will begin before dawn and last until the birds diminish their courtship dancing and booming, around 8 a.m.

Iowa began reintroducing prairie chickens in the 1980s, then released additional wild birds captured in western Nebraska from 2012-17, to supplement the population and add genetic diversity. To date, the population is holding steady, but at fairly low numbers, said Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Diversity Program.

“Although stable, our population is around 65-70 birds at the Grand River Grasslands, which is low, and we’re not sure what their future is, so if you want to see them, now is the time,” she said.

During the festival the DNR will be onsite to help put spotting scopes on birds and to answer questions.

“The birds will be a good distance from the viewing platform so we are encouraging attendees to bring either a spotting scope or pair of binoculars,” she said. A limited number of scopes will be on hand for those who need them.

Can’t make it on April 6? The chickens will be displaying likely through the end of the month. Dusk is also a good time to view the birds because the sun is in the west, though the birds may be a little less active.

Kellerton is one of the premier grasslands in the state, for more than prairie chickens, but for other grassland birds as well. “It’s a really neat area for people to get a feel for what an expansive grassland looks like,” she said.

City of Atlantic’s Personnel & Finance Committee to discuss City Clerk applicants

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee is slated to meet 3:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall, to discuss a couple of matters. The first is with regard to applicants for the position of City Clerk. Former City Clerk Barb Barrick has resigned and accepted a position in Huxley. The City Council last week, appointed Rich Tupper as Interim City Clerk until a permanent replacement is found.

The Committee will also discuss and make a recommendation to the full City Council during their next meeting, with regard to contract services with the City of Marne.

The meeting takes place in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, in Atlantic.

Creston woman cited following a collision this (Tuesday) afternoon

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say no injuries were reported following a collision at around 12:35-p.m. today (Tuesday), at the intersection of Elm and Summit Streets. According to the report, a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country van driven by 20-year-old Destani Rose Richardson, of Creston, was traveling east on Summit Street, and was approaching Elm Street.

North-and south-bound traffic on Elm does not have a stop sign. Police say Richardson failed to yield the right-of-way to a northbound 2012 Infiniti QX56 SUV, driven by 29-year-old Jenna Leigh Crago, of Creston. Richardson told police she didn’t see the SUV. Crago told authorities she saw the van approach the stop sign and thought it was going to stop, but the van entered the intersection and struck the SUV on the left rear side tire.

The van sustained minor damage ($2,500), and the SUV sustained disabling damage (estimated at $5,000). Creston Police cited Richardson for Failure To Yield.

Panel rejects bids to disqualify candidates for Iowa House seat

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A state panel has rejected challenges that sought to disqualify two candidates for a northwest Iowa House seat from the June Primary.

The Republican from Onawa who’s currently serving in Iowa House District 13 is not seeking reelection. Republicans Noah Wieseler of Sioux City and Travis Sitzmann of Le Mars are running for the seat in the June Primary. The secretary of state’s office received challenges alleging neither candidate was qualified to run because they don’t live in the district.

The State Objection Panel rejected those claims and cited both the Iowa Constitutions and state law. Both say a candidate only has to live in the legislative district they intend to represent for 60 days before November’s General Election.

“While the law says you’ve only got to be in the district 60 days before the General Election, a lot of folks aren’t aware of that and assume as soon as you declare, you’ve got to be there, so it’s not an uncommon objection,” said State Auditor Rob Sand, a member of the State Objection Panel.

State Objection Panel members, left to right: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, State Auditor Rob Sand, Secretary of State Paul Pate (RI photo)

Candidates for the Iowa legislature do have to be Iowa residents for at least a year before the General Election, but only have to live in the district they’re running in for 60 days before he November election. Iowa candidates the U-S House of Representatives have to be Iowa residents, but do NOT have to live in the congressional district they seek to represent.

Use caution when placing bets on college hoops, big lotto jackpots

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – With the college basketball tournament underway and enormous jackpots in the Powerball and Mega Millions games, temptations abound for Iowans to dip their toes in the gambling pool, though some will have trouble staying afloat if they jump in.

Andrew Gerodias, outpatient supervisor for the Rosecrance Jackson Center in Sioux City, says gambling can be a fun pastime, but for certain people, it can be highly addictive and lead to serious problems.

Andrew Gerodias (Rosecrance photo)

“It usually starts off small and then grows bigger,” Gerodias says. “The way that it usually starts is sort of those very innocent brackets, like we’re doing right now, fantasy football leagues, you know, just throwing in 20 bucks here and there.”

Playing a two-dollar lottery game may not seem like a particularly risky financial expenditure, but Gerodias says gambling can be a very strong lure for those who may be more prone to addiction.

“There are a lot of people who are struggling when it comes down to finances, and even a smaller win provides that level of relief,” he says. “That ends up becoming a positive reinforcement for, ‘This is possibly the way that I can get out of these troubles,’ and so more time, more energy and attention is spent trying to get that win.”

If a person’s had a win, they’ll focus on the fact that they have a chance for a big payout, despite astronomical odds, even if they’ve also had multiple, expensive losses.

“There’s always that risk. The question is, is the risk worth the reward?” Gerodias says. “Sometimes, you have individuals who are using rent money, food money, things like that, to try to get that extra windfall boost.”

Not everyone who gambles will develop an addiction, Gerodias says, and people with a good understanding of their finances, who take care of their bills, are unlikely to fall into a trap. However, for those who spend a lot of time and money gambling, quitting is more than just avoiding different forms of gambling — it requires effort.

Rosecrance is Iowa’s largest addiction treatment provider. Gerodias says they help more than 7,000 teens and adults each year at outpatient treatment clinics in Sioux City, Cherokee, Davenport, Le Mars, Spencer and Sheldon.

Senate sends AEA, education funding package to governor

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has given final approval to a bill that makes changes in Iowa’s Area Education Agencies, raises teacher pay and increases general state education spending. Governor Reynolds says she’ll sign the package into law.

The starting salary for teachers will rise to $50,000 within two years. There are raises for paraeducators along with a 2.5% increase in the state’s per pupil spending for public school students as well as the thousands of private school students who’ll get state-funded Education Savings Accounts this fall.

Republican Senator Lynn Evans, a retired superintendent from Aurelia, added up all
additional spending in the bill. “So when you look at this in its totality: $180 million,” Evans said. “That is a commitment.”

Governor Reynolds proposed an major overhaul of AEAs in January. The legislature’s plan does not go as far as the governor’s, but does shift AEA oversight to the Iowa Department of Education. Schools eventually will have the authority to spend funding for special education, teacher prep and other AEA services outside of the AEA system.

Senator Cherielynn Westrich, a Republican from Ottumwa, said the bill provides needed transparency and accountability for the AEAs. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t stand and say: ‘I did campaign on this subject,’” Westrich said. “…I believe what we’re doing here today is what I had hoped to accomplish and set out to do.”

A dozen Republicans joined Democrats in the Iowa House and Senate to vote against the package because of the AEA changes. Republican
Senator Charlie McClintock of Alburnette said he’d been holding out hope there might be enough votes to block it. “The very idea of dismantling and defunding the Area Education Agencies has upset and offended the people of Iowa to a whole other level,” said McClintoch, who called the bill universally unpopular.

Senator Molly Donahue, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, is a special education teacher. “This is worse for our kids, it’s worse for our school districts,” Donahue says, “and it’s really going to hurt a lot of your rural districts.”

Under the bill, 43% of Iowa school districts will get less state support for the next academic year because enrollment is shrinking in those districts.

DCI investigating after man shot and killed by Waterloo police officer

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has been called in to investigate after a man was shot to death by a Waterloo police officer.

The D-C-I says officers were called to the Victory Motors car dealership Monday afternoon on the report that 41-year-old John Piazza put a gun to an employee’s face and fired at the property. Employees told police that Piazza, who lived nearby, left and said he was returning with a rifle. Officers arrived at Piazza’s home and say he pointed a rifle out of a window at officers.

One of the officers fired at Piazza and they entered the home and found him dead inside.