Iowa lawmakers ended their legislative session, about five weeks behind schedule because of a dispute over education spending.
The Senate and House adjourned early Wednesday without reaching agreement on Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal to divert $55 million from public schools toward taxpayer-funded scholarships for up to 10,000 students to attend private schools.
Since convening in January, Republicans who hold large majorities in each chamber did work with the governor to pass significant legislation. That includes big tax cuts, a plan to allow grocers to opt out of bottle recycling, cut to unemployment benefits and a bill that prohibits transgender females from participating in girls high school sports and women’s college athletics.
Deer hunters will be able to use semi-automatic rifles during a newly created antlerless season in January under a bill approved by lawmakers and sent to the governor. The measure given final approval Tuesday by the House is designed to help control the deer population and respond to complaints that excess deer eat corn and are hazardous to motorists.
Charles City Democratic Rep. Todd Prichard, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, opposed the bill. He noted the AR-15-type rifles allowed for hunting were similar to those he was trained to use in the military and that ammunition authorized in the bill can travel up to 2½ miles.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff through sunset on Saturday to honor and remember the victims of yesterday’s school shooting in Texas that killed 19 students and two teachers.
On Twitter, Senator Chuck Grassley said he will continue to push for Congress to pass his EAGLES Act which would give schools & law enforcement more resources.
Representative Cindy Axne says her heart is with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire community. She added, “We cannot accept this epidemic of gun violence as our reality, we MUST pass laws to get guns off the streets.”
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is proposing a bill to use materials stockpiled for the border wall that have been sitting since the Biden administration stopped work on the wall.
The Republican told Radio Iowa, the federal report shows the government is paying three million dollars a day to keep the materials from being stolen, and her bill would solve that problem too.
She says states would apply for the materials.
Ernst says they are working on getting some bipartisan support — especially from states like Arizona — where border crossings have increased.
Iowa’s legislative session ended last night, five weeks after the target adjournment date.
The Republican majority passed many of Governor Kim Reynolds’ priorities like a flat income tax and cuts to unemployment benefits. But they failed to pass her plan for state-funded scholarships for private schools.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst (CON-first) says she’s disappointed the legislature didn’t take up Democratic proposals to fix the workforce crisis by improving access to child care and affordable housing.
“And instead what we did was we did a lot of rewarding of special interests. We made sure that the wealthiest Iowans got a tax cut and we left a lot of Iowans behind so I’m really disappointed. This session had potential and we missed the mark.”
Republican leaders say they’re proud of their work this session and that they hope to give parents more control over their kids’ education next year.
Federal officials are reporting 139 Iowans are hospitalized with COVID-19 as of today (Wednesday).
That’s a slight decrease from last week’s number of 146.
Additionally, state officials report more than 47 hundred positive COVID tests in the past seven days.
That marks a slight increase of less than 200 tests as compared to last week’s report.
The state has added 16 Iowans to its death count, bringing the total to more than 95 hundred.
The Center for Disease Control reports more than 62 percent of all Iowans are fully vaccinated against the virus.
Health officials in central Iowa are urging residents to consider visiting their doctor or an urgent care facility instead of the emergency room if they don’t have a life or limb-threatening situation.
Officials say Polk County hospitals , and their emergency rooms, are currently operating at limited capacity due to a greater demand for beds and staffing shortages.
That’s as county hospitals are reporting an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations as well as summer trauma cases.
News release from the City of Sioux City:
Cold Link Breaks Ground in Sioux City’s Southbridge Business Park
Cold-Link Logistics, a Miami, Florida-based cold storage warehousing firm, is breaking ground on its multi-phased cold storage facility which will bring much-needed capacity to the area’s food processors. The company has committed to purchase approximately 37 acres of the City’s 27 Flags industrial site to construct the facility. The first phase of the project represents a capital investment of nearly $60 Million and will be the first industrial development on the site, creating 60 new jobs. The initial phase will include 185,000 square feet of cold storage warehousing space, approximately 20,000 pallet positions and blast freezing plus truck docks, offices, and mechanical areas. Future phases of the project will more than triple the size of the building. Construction began in March 2022 with an expected opening date in early 2023.
“This is a tremendous project that will play to our region’s strengths in the food processing industry,” says Mayor Bob Scott. “It’s good to see such a return on the City’s investment in Southbridge. Securing this type of project was a major goal of the City’s when we began buying land and building infrastructure in the area ten years ago.”
Construction of this new major facility will impact Sioux City positively in many ways. The project will provide significant increased property tax revenues, while creating minimal impacts on the City’s utility infrastructure. With an increasing demand for labor throughout the country, Cold- Link’s labor requirements stress quality over quantity. The company will staff the first phase with 60 employees, including 50 production staff at an hourly wage of over $23.00/hour.
“We were approached about locating in Iowa and were immediately intrigued given its role as a major food producer in the U.S.”, said Cold-Link Logistics President Michael Mandich. “Sioux City became an ideal location due to many factors, but most importantly we were welcomed by State and Local leaders who truly valued the partnership and investment we were going to bring. Further support from the Federal New Market Tax Credit program enabled us to get this project over the goal line. We are truly excited to become a part of the Sioux City community and the great State of Iowa.”
“Iowa Area Development Group (IADG) was pleased to introduce the Cold-Link project to Sioux City,” said Bruce Hansen, Vice President Business Development, IADG. “The planning and significant infrastructure investment made in Southbridge Business Park by Sioux City leaders made the site selection process very efficient and effective.”
In the upcoming weeks, the City and Cold-Link will enter into an agreement for the sale of property which will also provide for a series of tax rebates to assist the project as well as necessary infrastructure projects including the extension of Alicia Avenue, a rail spur connected to the City’s drop-and-pull rail yard, and utilities. The City has been awarded significant funding from the IDOT’s Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) Program as well as the Rail Revolving Loan and Grant program which will cover approximately 50% of the road and rail construction.
Cold-Link Logistics is a full service, Third-Party Logistics Company built on family values dedicated to serving their customer needs through designing specific solutions to meet the ever- increasing demand on cold chain innovation and efficiencies.
Sioux City, Iowa has consistently been ranked as a leading destination for the food processing industry and ranked #1 for overall economic development for similar size metro areas. The Cold-Link Project will assist in maintaining Sioux City’s role as a national leader in food production.
News release from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds:
DES MOINES - Today, Gov. Reynolds released the following statements on the conclusion of the 2022 legislative session:
“This legislative session, I charged the House and Senate to work together to further advance Iowa’s strong growth through policies that cut taxes, invest in biofuels and strengthen our families, communities, schools, workforce and economy. I’m proud that our state is leading the nation in many of these areas and delivering on the promises we made to the people of Iowa.
“Iowa’s economy is expanding, our communities are flourishing, and our profile is rising. None of that would be possible without the businesses, community leaders, and educational institutions that form the bedrock of our communities. Most of all, it wouldn’t be possible without our people and the communities they call home. Thanks to them, there’s never been a better time to invest in Iowa, to move to Iowa, and to believe in Iowa. They are the source of our strength.”
Lt. Governor Gregg released the following statement:
"Governor Reynolds’ leadership has again benefited Iowans greatly and improved their everyday lives in areas that matter the most. Historic tax cuts, expanded child care availability, supporting public education, focusing efforts to get Iowans employed are just a few of the major initiatives passed this session that continue to make Iowa a great place to live, work and raise a family."
Key legislative priorities that passed during the 2022 Legislative Session:
Tax Relief for Hardworking Iowans
"Over the last five years, we've dramatically cut Iowans' taxes three times. It's no coincidence that during this same time, we've also earned a nationwide reputation for economic opportunity and widespread, broad-based prosperity. When I took office, Iowa had the 6th highest income tax rate in the nation at almost 9%. Now, after three historic tax reform packages, it’s set to be fourth lowest at 3.9%--flat and fair. And we’ve eliminated taxes on retirement income, starting next year. We’ve also reformed our corporate tax rate, once one of the highest in the nation at 12% now going down to 5.5%. Here’s what that all means for Iowans: the bill I signed this year will save taxpayers $1.9 billion a year. And if you add up the savings from all three major tax bills I’ve signed since taking office, that’s nearly $3 billion per year.”
Generational state tax reform that benefits all Iowans.
Re-Employing Iowans and Expanding Child Care
"In Iowa, we’re taking bold action to ensure every employable Iowan finds a meaningful and fulfilling career. We’re turning our unemployment system into a re-employment system. We passed legislation that caps unemployment benefits at 16 weeks and took action to give job seekers one-on-one career coaching. In short, we’re helping Iowans get back to work sooner.”
Promoting Access to Child Care
“Last year I convened the Governor’s Child Care Task Force to address the ongoing child care challenge in our state. Working parents need to be able to re-enter the workforce and know their children will be well cared for. Already we’ve allocated over $500 million to support child care in our state and created more than 9,000 new child care spots in just one year. But we’re far from finished.”
Delivering for Iowa Agriculture & Cutting Red Tape
“The biofuels bill I signed into law this year is a testament to the idea that good-faith discussion, negotiation, and compromise can pay off in a big way. This historic bill makes Iowa the first state in the nation to adopt an E15 standard, setting the stage for the single largest expansion of biofuels in our state’s history. Biofuels account for more than $4 billion of Iowa’s GDP and support tens of thousands of jobs in our state. I proposed the bill because Iowa’s farmers and biofuel producers are the economic backbone of our state. Because Iowans – and all Americans – deserve access to a reliable, less-expensive, and environmentally friendly option at the pump. Iowa has delivered – and in doing so, we’ve sent a message that can’t be ignored: America’s energy is growing right here in Iowa’s fields.”
Supporting Quality Educational Opportunities for Iowa Children
“This legislative session, for the 12th year in a row, we’ve increased funding for K-12 public education. While I’m disappointed that the House chose not to pass my proposal to give families educational freedom and school choice, I’m not backing down from this fight. That’s why we’ll continue to invest in public schools while empowering parents to choose what’s best for their child. Parental choice is not a zero-sum game, and my focus continues to be raising the quality of education in every Iowa school and for every Iowa child.”
Improving Access to Mental Health Care
Enhancing Iowa’s Economic Development
Continuing modernization of state government
News release from Siouxland Human Investment Partnership (SHIP):
The 0-3: Prime Age to Engage initiative will coordinate the delivery of a new children’s bookshelf and books to Catholic Charities (1601 Military Road) at 10:00 on Thursday, May 26th. D2: Worldwide will be present to stock the shelves with books donated through their Building Budding Brains book donation program. Additionally, new books purchased with a grant from the Siouxland Community Foundation will be stocked in the shelf as well.
The bookshelf was built and donated by Ernest Colt and apprentices of the Carpenter’s Union Local #948, with artwork by Dave Parker and with materials purchased with the Community Foundation grant.
The books will be displayed in the lobby of Catholic Charities and available for children and families who are waiting for their appointments. The hope is that the children and families can utilize books for entertainment while they wait instead of electronic devices, and can even build their own home libraries, as all books are free for families to take home with them.
This will be the 24th 0-3 bookshelf placed in the community since 2018. All previous shelves were also built and donated by the Carpenter’s Union with books donated by D2: Worldwide. Locations include two Unity Point Health clinics, three Express Laundry laundromats, Mary Treglia Community House, Community Action Agency of Siouxland, Hall Law Firm, Norm Wait Sr. YMCA, and many more. To see a full list of current bookshelf locations, visit the 0-3 website: https://primeagetoengage.com/bookshelf-locations
“Almost 40% of the clients we work with are children, so I am excited that we are going to be able to provide an educational and fun learning opportunity for kids when they enter our doors,” says Catholic Charities Executive Director, Amy Bloch. “We are grateful to Ernie, Dave and the apprentices at Carpenter’s Union for their work and generous hearts, as they are truly making a difference in the lives of children and our community.”
Catholic Charities was established in 1943 and serves people of all faiths and backgrounds. They provide mental health therapy to individuals, children and families in Siouxland and offer a sliding-fee scale, based on family size and income, for those that cannot afford to pay the full cost of therapy. No one is turned away for the inability to pay for services. Most insurance plans in the tristate area, Medicaid and Medicare are also accepted. Catholic Charities also provides free assessments for school-aged children and partner with Dr. Nesrin Abu Ata to provide psychiatric services to clients.
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0-3: Prime Age to Engage is a joint effort between 70 planning partners in the Siouxland area including the Sioux City Community School District, SHIP, the Siouxland Community Foundation, United Way of Siouxland and Source for Siouxland.