Iowa

Iowa Republicans keep forging a better future and making it easier to prosper

Published

1 month ago

May 26, 2024

Press Room

Iowa Republicans keep forging a better future and making it easier to prosper

While the Biden administration’s top down policies burden Iowans, lawmakers at home burn the midnight oil to make it easier to live, work, and prosper.

Tyler Raygor
| Guest columnist

The state Legislature ended its 2024 session in late April with not one, but two all-night sessions. After eight years of quality results for constituents, you would think the body’s GOP leaders would opt to coast into recess. Not so for this effective bunch. This term, lawmakers stuck to a three-pronged agenda — reducing taxes again, shrinking the size of government, and easing regulatory burdens — and it’s working.

Our jobless rate is running well below the national average, and Iowa has been recognized as the number one state for a low cost of living and fiscal responsibility. These numbers are impressive, and there is more to the story. By trusting families and entrepreneurs more, and top-down government less, Republicans have turned this state into a place where people will come to thrive and make an impact on their communities.

Let’s take taxes first.

Over the last several years, Americans living in high-tax states have fled to states with lower taxes.

Gov. Kim Reynolds understands this trend and already signed legislation that speeds implementation of a previously approved flat tax. Starting in 2025, the top and only income tax rate in Iowa will be 3.8%. Only five states will have a lower levy. When Reynolds took office in 2017, at 8.98% Iowa’s top rate was the sixth-highest in the country.

Reducing taxes was particularly important this session since, due to President Joe Biden’s inflation, Iowans still face higher food and energy costs. Reynolds and GOP lawmakers gave residents a breath of financial freedom by taking the first step to enshrine the flat tax in the state constitution and to require a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers to raise taxes in the future. Lawmakers will have to finish work on those initiatives in the next General Assembly.

High taxes are a barrier to job creation and innovation, but so is red tape. One study found the federal regulatory burden costs small manufacturers $50,100 per employee per year. At $3 trillion, the cumulative costs of federal red tape is more than the economic output of the entire U.S. manufacturing industry.

The Biden regulatory state is expanding by the day, but the second leg of Iowa Republicans’ pro-growth stool remains to reduce these costs here at home. Senate File 2370 will require an analysis of all new rules and will sunset regulations unless they undergo a substantive review and are re-adopted.

State lawmakers also made it easier to become an educator in Iowa. House File 255 modifies requirements related to teacher intern license programs and establishes a temporary initial teaching license to be issued by the board of educational examiners to applicants who complete an alternative teacher certification program.

While entrenched special interests fought this bill, it is necessary if Iowa wants to continue to avoid the large scale teacher shortages. Reynolds has been on the front lines of this issue. In 2022, she implemented an innovative program, the Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program, that allows paraeducators to earn their bachelor’s degree while working in the classroom. Changes like these are why our state is able to fill more of its teacher vacancies than others.

Finally, lawmakers also continued to reduce the size of government so that it works better citizens.

For example, Senate File 2385 will eliminate 83 unnecessary and redundant unelected boards and commissions and require an ongoing annual review of boards and commissions. It returns accountability to the people of Iowa through their elected representatives and reduces waste as many of these bodies are no longer meeting or serve an outdated function.

The legislation also consolidates bodies with similar mandates in order to better serve the public. It creates, for example, a Behavioral Health Professionals Board that will bring together psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals to help address mounting national challenges like addiction, depression, and burnout. Another bill, Senate File 2096, repealed gender balance requirements for appointive bodies in order to ensure the most qualified Iowans can serve.

While the Biden administration’s top down policies burden Iowans, lawmakers at home burn the midnight oil to make it easier to live, work, and prosper.

I’m grateful they don’t seem to need sleep.

Tyler Raygor is the Iowa state director for Americans for Prosperity.

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Iowa

Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding

Published

5 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA. (WOWT) – After more than a day of anticipation, officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation confirmed to 6 on Your Side late Tuesday Night that it would be shutting down portions of Interstates 680 and 29 effective at midnight Wednesday.

The closures are due to to rising water on the Missouri River.

The affected stretch of I-29 is from the 25th Street interchange on the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/I-880 interchange.

The I-680 stretch is from the Nebraska border to the I-29/I-680 interchange near Crescent.

A detour was set to be posted near Loveland to take traffic from the I-29/I-880 interchange east to the I-80/I-880 interchange, then southwest on I-80 into Council Bluffs.

Monday night, Iowa DOT’s Austin Yates told 6 News that there was anticipation that the interstate would reopen sometime during the weekend.

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Iowa

New testing required for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs

Published

13 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

New testing required for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On Tuesday, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture announced new testing requirements for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs and exhibitions.

Secretary Mike Naig announced the new requirements as a way to minimize the potential spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). HPAI (also known as Bird Flu) has hit numerous dairy cattle in the state. The Secretary says the state should expect to see new positive cases announced as the increased testing takes place.

“The Department is issuing a statewide order effective July 1 that will require additional tests for HPAI prior to dairy cattle participating at our state’s many fairs and exhibitions,” said Secretary Naig. “We want to strike a balance between allowing our 4-H, FFA, and dairy exhibitors the opportunity to show their animals, while also requiring additional testing to protect our livestock and minimize the potential spread of the virus,” said Secretary Naig.

To date, the state has reported 11 positive cases of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa. 9 of those cases have been detected in Sioux County. Iowa has had three poultry cases thus far in 2024, including one case in a commercial chicken layer in Sioux County and two cases in commercial turkey flocks.

“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza isn’t just a poultry issue or a dairy issue, it’s an issue for all of agriculture. Our approach is reflective of our significant livestock industry, and I want to thank our farmers who have stepped up to help contribute to the broader understanding, visibility and knowledge of this virus,” said Secretary Naig. “We should expect additional challenges ahead and as the situation continues to evolve, we will also continue to evaluate our response. We continue to support our farmers through the joint state and federal response team who are navigating this evolving and unpredictable situation.”

Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry include:

Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
Decrease in egg production
Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
Difficulty breathing
Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
Stumbling and/or falling down
Diarrhea

Suspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows include:

Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination
Clear nasal discharge
Drop in milk production
Tacky or loose feces
Lethargy
Dehydration
Fever
Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk

Officials say that it is safe to enjoy poultry products. Consumers should utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

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Iowa

2024 Eastern Iowa fireworks displays

Published

20 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Cities across Iowa are preparing to host annual Independence Day fireworks displays!

Here is a list of displays you can see in eastern Iowa this year:

Bettendorf

Parade at 10 a.m. on July 4 in downtown Bettendorf
4th of July Festival from noon to 10 p.m. on Spruce Hills Drive in front of Cumberland Square
Fireworks at Middle Park at dusk
More info

Cedar Falls

Fireworks Over the Dome at 9:40 p.m. on June 27

Cedar Rapids

Ellis Fireworks on the River at 9 p.m. on July 3 – more info
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival – Celebration of Freedom Fireworks
Fireworks start at dark on July 4 in downtown Cedar Rapids
More info

Charles City

Fourth of July Celebration from July 3-6
Fourth of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4, then fireworks by the Cedar River in the evening
Main Street Charles City’s Party in the Park on July 5
July 6 – magician show, cornhole tournament
More info

Coralville

Coralville’s annual 4thFest parade at 10 a.m. on July 4, starting and ending at the corner of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue
Fireworks display in S.T. Morrison Park at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

Garnavillo