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Statehouse standoff leaves Iowans in the dark – Iowa Capital Dispatch

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Statehouse standoff leaves Iowans in the dark – Iowa Capital Dispatch


The 100th day of the 2022 legal session in Iowa is Tuesday.

I recognize that’s most likely not a day noted on your schedule. The majority of Iowans don’t pay much interest to whether the Legislature is in session or otherwise. Those that commemorate Easter, Passover or Ramadan might have been hanging out with family members. Others might be preparing their yards, going to youngsters’ track satisfies as well as pursuing completion of the academic year. Some might have invested the weekend break identifying their tax obligations.

Mentioning tax obligations, your own are spending for every little thing that occurs at the Iowa Statehouse, as well as think what? Very little is taking place today. As well as whatever might be taking place is being carried out in key, behind shut doors, where you aren’t invite.

Residence Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst summed it up: “Most importantly, I intend to resemble what I’ve learnt through many Iowans that have connected to me over the last couple of days as well as claimed the expression: ‘The heck’s taking place up there?’”

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The Republicans that manage the Iowa Residence, Us senate as well as guv’s workplace have actually been not able to get to arrangement on some crucial elements of the guv’s program. Therefore, work with the state budget plan goes to a grinding halt.

Residence GOP stops at independent school coupons

The huge sticking factor, it shows up, is Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposition to utilize taxpayer cash to assist spend for independent school tuition as well as expenditures for households that intend to vacate their public colleges. The Us senate passed the costs last month, however Republicans in the Iowa Residence are stopping.  A comparable costs Reynolds recommended passed away in 2015 for the exact same factor.

As Well As it’s a great factor. Numerous country GOP legislators as well as their components have actually identified that they don’t have lots of independent schools in their neighborhoods. As well as as a result of that, this plan doesn’t assist them as well as it has the prospective to damage the already-struggling public colleges that these country neighborhoods have actually battled difficult to keep. You’d assume a guv competing reelection would certainly hesitate about a proposition that many of her very own event’s legislators are standing up to.

Rather, Reynolds recently urged she’s “never ever gonna quit” on the suggestion.

“If we don’t do that, I’m mosting likely to return following year,” Reynolds claimed. “I think so highly in offering every moms and dad this chance.”

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It seems to me like legislators can wait as well as see if Reynolds is back following year.

The costs additionally consists of the guv’s supposed “openness” proposition that calls for public-school educators to publish all their course strategies as well as products on the web so moms and dads can see what’s taking place without needing to talk with their youngsters or, paradise forbid, the educator.

So, to be clear, legal leaders as well as the guv are exercising in secret the destiny of regulations to call for even more openness for other individuals. Isn’t that simply normal?

Delay generates negative budget plan techniques

I ought to mention below that the Iowa Residence has actually adhered to a traditional procedure for assembling its budget plan as well as a quite darn effective one too. If Residence Bulk Leader Matt Windschitl can additionally run the Us senate, the Legislature would certainly have adjourned weeks back.

Residence participants have actually done the hefty training on the budget plan. They held appropriation subcommittee conferences as well as board conferences as well as your home has actually accepted just about among the traditional budget plan expenses. The Us senate has actually not joined what are generally joint subcommittees as well as it has actually not accepted a solitary budget plan costs, despite the fact that both chambers’ costs targets aren’t much apart.

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The standoff has actually currently brought about one unwanted budget plan method. Residence participants have actually turned to putting formerly accepted plan language right into budget plan expenses after the initial regulations has actually delayed in the Us senate. This is a poor suggestion for a range of factors, consisting of that it makes regulations harder for Iowans to track.

One instance is the debatable “right to attempt” costs that offers terminally unwell individuals as well as those on ventilators the alternative of off-label use medications like ivermectin also if it is counter to their medical professionals’ referrals. Ivermectin acquired some appeal as a therapy for COVID-19 despite the fact that government regulatory authorities remain to claim it has actually not been confirmed reliable as well as could be damaging. The language is currently in the House-passed health and wellness as well as human solutions budget plan after legislators did rule out the initial costs.

An also worse method might be yet ahead, when the back-room offers are done as well as legislators begin to hurry expenses via last flooring dispute. This is when we might see legislators breaching their very own regulations to take faster ways with the procedure, consisting of rolling the whole budget plan right into a large omnibus costs.  This is awful for public accessibility to federal government, as also lots of legislators are delegated elect on expenses they haven’t review or put in the time to completely recognize.

Us senate Republicans’ negligence of public info as well as gain access to shouldn’t come as a shock to Iowans. Us Senate Bulk Leader Jack Whitver left no question regarding that when he prevented the information media from the chamber flooring.

Iowans might not care whether legislators go house in a timely manner. Some might also appreciate the truth that the political leaders won’t earn money for their everyday expenditures after Tuesday. However on a daily basis the Legislature remains in overtime prices taxpayers money. As well as every choice legislators make behind shut doors prices Iowans their voice along with their tax obligation bucks.

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Naturalized citizens sue Iowa officials for challenging 2,000 voters

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Naturalized citizens sue Iowa officials for challenging 2,000 voters


Naturalized citizens have sued Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and other election officials after he instructed them to challenge the ballots of over 2,000 voters.

Last week, Pate’s office said that it gave county auditors a list of 2,022 people who told the state’s Department of Transportation that they were not citizens but later registered to vote or voted.

Since those voters may have become naturalized citizens in the time between telling the Transportation Department that they were not citizens and participating in the U.S. election process, Pate’s office told county auditors to challenge their ballots and have them cast a provisional ballot instead.

The voters would have seven days to show proof of citizenship before their ballot is counted.

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Stickers that read “Presidential Election I Voted 2024” are displayed on a table on the first day of Virginia’s in-person early voting at Long Bridge Park Aquatics and Fitness Center on September 20, 2024, in…


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ACLU Challenges Election Officials

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa filed a lawsuit against Pate and five election auditors in federal court late Wednesday on behalf of four voters flagged by Pate as registered voters who might not be citizens and the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa (LULAC).

According to the complaint, the four voters are naturalized citizens, one of whom registered last year, a day after he became a citizen.

“Yet he was placed on the Secretary’s covert list and wrongfully subjected to investigation and an election challenge for following the law and exercising his right to vote,” the complaint states.

The lawsuit alleges that Iowa election officials are burdening the right to vote and discriminating against naturalized citizens. Officials are treating this group of voters differently from others in violation of their constitutional right to equal protection, the suit claims.

The suit asks for the Transportation Department list to be revoked and for voters on it to not be challenged on this basis.

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Pate in a ‘Balancing’ Act

Pate told reporters Wednesday, before the lawsuit was filed, that the Transportation Department list is the “only list that we have available to us” without access to federal immigration records.

“We’re balancing this process. We want everyone to be able to vote. That’s why none of them have been taken off the voter rolls,” Pate said.

However, he added, “We do owe an obligation to make sure that they are citizens now.”

Republicans have made non-citizen voting a big issue ahead of the November 5 election. Despite it already being illegal for non-citizens to register to vote or to vote in federal elections, the Republican-led House voted to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in July, which would require those registering to vote to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill remains in the House.

While there is no evidence that non-citizen voting is occurring in significant numbers, Iowa and some other states have identified dozens of such cases.

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‘We Will Defend Our Election Integrity’

Before the lawsuit was filed, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice “called the State in an attempt to pressure Iowa into letting noncitizens vote.”

“Every legal vote must count and not be canceled by an illegal vote,” she said. “In Iowa, we will defend our election integrity laws and protect the vote.”

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment to the Associated Press (AP).

The AP also reached out to Pate and Bird on Thursday for comment on the lawsuit.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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Iowa men’s basketball: Four bold predictions for Hawkeyes’ 2024-25 season

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Iowa men’s basketball: Four bold predictions for Hawkeyes’ 2024-25 season


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IOWA CITY — The Iowa men’s basketball regular season is on the verge of getting underway.

After beating Minnesota Duluth, 102-81, in an exhibition, the Hawkeyes’ next contest is more than just a dress rehearsal. That comes Monday with the regular season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce.

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There are not exactly high expectations surrounding this Iowa team. The Hawkeyes were picked to finish 11th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten by a preseason media poll. Internally, though, there is optimism. 

“People are confident,” Payton Sandfort said at Big Ten Media Days. “Anyone that has been around practice this year thinks this team is special. The energy is different. The intensity is different. The attention to detail is different. I think it’s going to be a great year.”

To skeptics, Sandfort’s claim could be viewed as a bold prediction. 

In that spirit, here are some bold takes ahead of the Hawkeyes’ 2024-25 season.

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Iowa basketball’s Josh Dix will make an All-Big Ten team

This wouldn’t be that bold of a prediction if the conference hadn’t just added four new programs. But now with 18 teams, earning a spot on the All-Big Ten first, second, or third teams (more than 15 players can make them in total) becomes even more difficult.

That said, Dix should be considered a dark horse.

The flashes that Dix showed as a freshman became even more prominent as a sophomore. Last season, there was a phenomenal three-game stretch during Big Ten play in which he averaged 21.3 points on 68.4% from the field and 61.5% from deep.

It’s unrealistic to expect Dix to sustain those numbers across an entire season, but it’s one of the many signs pointing to him being capable of becoming a premier player in the league. Dix, a highly efficient scorer on all three levels, also adds value on the defensive end. Now as a junior, Dix is stepping into an even larger role, meaning the opportunity is there for him to put up big numbers.

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He scored 22 points against Minnesota Duluth on 9-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-4 from deep.

“I think the biggest thing he’s done, he’s gotten really aggressive,” Sandfort said of Dix after the contest. “He always had that. He was always showing it in practice but would be just kinda passive when we got into games… Now he has the confidence that he can dominate these teams. I’m excited to see the year he has.”

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Video: Payton Sandfort leads Iowa with 23 points in exhibition win

Payton Sandfort discusses a variety of topics after Iowa’s exhibition win over Minnesota Duluth.

Hawkeyes’ Brock Harding will finish top-5 in the Big Ten in assists per game

Harding’s sensational passing ability, coupled with Iowa’s offensive firepower makes this seem like a real possibility.

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His ability to share the rock was on display as a freshman. Harding’s 2.6 assists per game in limited playing time equates to 9.7 when extrapolated to a per 40-minute average. 

It’s unreasonable to expect him to average 40 minutes per game as a sophomore, but he is primed to get substantially more playing time, meaning last season’s assist numbers are likely to go up. With Dix, Owen Freeman and Sandfort all having the potential to be high-volume scorers, Harding shouldn’t have a shortage of opportunities.

Even in a Minnesota Duluth exhibition that wasn’t his best performance — Harding scored two points on 1-of-7 from the field — he still recorded six assists.

Northwestern’s Boo Buie finished last season fifth in the Big Ten in assists per game with five. Getting in that neighborhood doesn’t seem like a long shot for Harding.

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Pryce Sandfort will be Iowa men’s basketball’s top bench scorer

There are probably four realistic options to be Iowa’s leading bench scorer. It could be either of the transfers, Seydou Traore or Drew Thelwell. Freshman Cooper Koch deserves to be in the conversation, as well.

But Pryce Sandfort might be the one to earn that title.

After an inconsistent freshman season, word from inside the program has been pointedly positive about Pryce Sandfort. At Iowa men’s basketball media day, coach Fran McCaffery remarked that Pryce Sandfort was “shooting the ball at an incredibly high clip on a consistent basis.”

The exhibition against Minnesota Duluth showed how quickly Sandfort can score in bunches. He finished the first half without a point but scored 11 in the second half. He also played the most minutes out of Iowa’s reserves.

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At 6-foot-7, Pryce Sandfort can be a lethal 3-point shooter, but his offensive repertoire isn’t limited to that. With Iowa needing some scoring outside of Payton Sandfort, Freeman and Dix, Pryce Sandfort has the skill set to deliver.

Iowa Hawkeyes will have its best 3-point percentage since the 2020-21 season

The Hawkeyes shot 38.6% as a team in 2020-21. Four players shot 39% or better from deep, including three that shot at least 44%.

Since then, Iowa’s team 3-point percentages are as follows:

  • 2021-22: 36.3%
  • 2022-23: 34%
  • 2023-24: 35.1%

Iowa has a chance to shoot better in 2024-25 than it has in each of the last three seasons.

The Hawkeyes saw the departures of some lower percentage shooters, including Tony Perkins (29.9%) and Patrick McCaffery (31.2%).

Two of the players expected to be among the highest-volume shooters for Iowa this season are more than capable 3-point shooters in Dix and Payton Sandfort. Pryce Sandfort and Cooper Koch are known to be good shooters, as well.

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There are a handful of other X-factors. 

Harding shot 37.5% as a freshman even before adjusting his shooting form this offseason. Thelwell is a career 34.8% 3-point shooter. Freeman didn’t attempt many 3-pointers last season but has worked on expanding his game this offseason and could take more as a sophomore. Ladji Dembele and Traore can contribute from beyond the arc, though they haven’t proven to shoot a high percentage yet.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com





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Final two classes set for Iowa state volleyball championships

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Final two classes set for Iowa state volleyball championships


Two-time defending Class 1A champion Ankeny Christian secured another trip to state volleyball with a win Wednesday night as the final two classes in Iowa were filled.

The Eagles swept Southeast Warren to get to 37-5 overall. They have now gone 114-11 over the past three seasons.

The 3A, 4A and 5A fields were finalized on Tuesday night with regional finals around the state. Wednesday saw the 1A and 2A teams still standing square off with trips to Coralville on the line.

Action begins on Monday with all five championships scheduled for Thursday. 

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Dike-New Hartford will be back to defend its 2A title after taking care of Wapsie Valley in straight sets.

Class 2A

First Round

Tuesday, November 5

Denver vs. Boyden Hull, 2 p.m.

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Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont vs. Iowa City Regina, 2:25 p.m.

Dike-New Hartford vs. Aplington-Parkersburg, 4 p.m.

Dyersville Beckman vs. South Hardin, 4:25 p.m.

Semifinals

Wednesday, November 6

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Denver/Boyden-Hull winner vs. Dike-New Hartford/Aplington-Parkersburg winner, 4 p.m.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont/Iowa City Regina winner vs. Dyersville Beckman/South Hardin winner, 4:25 p.m.

Championship

Thursday, November 7

Semifinal winner vs. semifinal winner, 4:45 p.m.

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Class 1A

First Round

Tuesday, November 5

Ankeny Christian vs. Don Bosco, 6 p.m.

Saint Ansgar vs. Janesville, 6:25 p.m.

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Riverside vs. North Tama, 8 p.m.

Holy Trinity vs. BCLUW, 8:25 p.m.

Semifinals

Wednesday, November 6

Ankeny Christian/Don Bosco winner vs. Riverside/North Tama winner, 6 p.m

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Saint Ansgar/Janesville winner vs. Holy Trinity/BCLUW winner, 6:25 p.m.

Championship

Thursday, November 7

Semifinal winner vs.semifinal winner, 7 p.m.



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