DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers return to the state Capitol on Monday with a to-do list ranging from overhauling state taxes to possibly addressing issues with the privatized Medicaid program.

Few details have been shared publicly about a tax proposal, though Gov. Kim Reynolds will give more information in her upcoming Condition of the State address. Any tax legislation would come on the heels of a federal tax law that state budget officials are still reviewing.

Medicaid, the health care program for poor and disabled Iowans, is expected to be debated because of ongoing complaints from health care providers and patients about reduced services. Reynolds has been steadfast about her support for privatization.

Republicans, entering a second year of complete statehouse control, will work amid another budget crunch and a looming election year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents isn’t expected to make a final decision on tuition increases at the state’s three public universities until June. The Des Moines Register reports that will leave students with only a few weeks to make financial plans before the start of the next academic year.

Presidents at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa have proposed tuition hikes ranging from 1.75 to 11.7 percent over the next five years.

For the past two years, regents have set tuition rates in December, but have had to approve additional hikes right before the start of the academic year. Regents spokesman Josh Lehman says the board doesn’t want that to happen this time.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors is set to hold another special session dealing with budget requests. The meeting is set to take place 9-a.m. Monday (Jan. 8th) in their courthouse courtroom/boardroom. Department Heads Scheduled to present their budget requests for FY 2019 include:

• VA Director Rick Schaecher, who will also present an Opiod Engagement Agreement
• Sheriff Jeff Vandewater
• RC & D
• County Engineer Nick Kauffman, who will also present his regular weekly report
• County Recorder Janelle Scheider
• and County Auditor Mindy Schaefer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One Powerball ticket sold in New Hampshire has matched all six numbers and will claim a $570 million grand prize. The winning numbers drawn Saturday night to claim the nation’s seventh largest jackpot were 12-29-30-33-61 and Powerball 26. A Powerball winner may choose to receive the jackpot in 30 annual payments or a one-time, lump-sum cash payment.

The winning ticket was drawn one day after a single Mega Millions ticket purchased in Florida matched all six numbers to claim $450 million. The odds of winning Powerball are one in 292.2 million. The odds of winning Mega Millions are one in 302.5 million.

The Cass County Democratic Party will hold its mid-term Caucus on Monday, February 5, 2018. Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle reports all 13 precincts will hold their caucus at the same location, at the Cass County Court House in Atlantic.

Registration begins at 6 PM with the caucus starting at 7 PM. Attendees must be in line or signed in by 7 PM in order to participate. Only registered Democrats can be involved in the caucus. Toelle says “If you have yet to register to vote or you want to change your party affiliation, you can do so at the caucus,” where “You meet with your neighbors to discuss the issues and the candidates most important to you. You also have the opportunity to help direct the manner in which the Democratic Party functions in Cass County by being elected as a Delegate or Alternate to the county convention or by being elected as a precinct committee person to the County Central Committee.”

There is a three-fold purpose to this year’s caucus: to discuss and adopt proposed resolutions to the county platform, to elect Delegates and Alternates to the county convention, and to elect precinct committee persons to the county central committee. Toelle said this year’s elections are different from previous years, in that “We have seven Democrats running for Governor and for the Third District Congressional seat. In order for a nominee to be elected during the primary in June, a candidate must receive 35% of the popular vote. If no one candidate does so, then the candidates face off at special district and state conventions. What that means is that delegates elected at the county convention could be the ones to directly nominate their gubernatorial or congressional candidates.”

All county Democrats are encouraged to attend and participate in the caucus. Contact Chair Sherry Toelle at 243-4861 if you have questions regarding the caucus.