(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds delivered the Republican response to President Biden’s State of the Union address last (Tuesday) night, saying Biden had failed the country on both the domestic and foreign fronts.

Reynolds called the withdrawal from Afghanistan disastrous and she suggested the Biden Administration had shown weakness, leading to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Reynolds said America is weak at home as well and she spent the bulk of her 14 minute speech focused on domestic issues. The governor accused Biden and Democrats in congress of not only ignoring, but fueling soaring inflation, Reynolds mentioned working at a Mount Pleasant grocery store four decades ago.

Reynolds suggested Americans have a dim view of Democratic leaders and — in her words — Americans are waiting for the insanity to stop.

Reynolds delivered her speech in downtown Des Moines, with the illuminated Iowa Capitol over her left shoulder. She touted her decision to require that Iowa schools have classes in-person at the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

Reynolds, near the end of her speech, mentioned the tax cuts she had signed into law earlier in the day.

The governor’s criticism of tax cuts for millionaires in California, New York and New Jersey drew an “are you kidding me” from Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls of Coralville on Twitter. Wahls says that’s what the governor’s tax plan does.

Wahls says the Republican governor should have thanked President Biden for the federal pandemic relief being used for a variety of projects, like expanding broadband service.

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says during a moment of global crisis, Reynolds should have talked about unity rather than criticize Biden’s foreign policy.

Deidre DeJear is the leading Democratic candidate for governor. DeJear says the speech Reynolds gave shows she’s pursuing extreme policies.

DeJear says the tax plan Reynolds signed puts the interest of the governor’s donors ahead of ordinary Iowans.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed the bill that flattens Iowa’s personal income tax rate to 3.9% by 2026. “Today is a great day for the State of Iowa as we dramatically reform our tax system for the better,” she said, “and make our state one of the most competitive in the nation.” Reynolds signed the bill early this afternoon. The new law exempts all retirement income from state taxes. It also provides new tax breaks for retired farmers and for people who retire from employee-owned companies. “There’s never been a better time in Iowa for bold, sustainable tax reform and that’s exactly what today’s bill represents,” she said.

If certain revenue targets are met, the plan could lower the corporate income tax rate by more than 40%. Reynolds has been governor since May of 2017. This is the third time she’s signed a bill designed to cut taxes, including last year’s bill that eliminated the state inheritance tax and sped up a series of tax cuts Reynolds approved in 2018.

“We’ve accomplished what we have on tax reform in recent years by approaching the issue with purpose and patience, taking ever opportunity to make transformative change, while also understanding a strong tax code takes sustained, persistent work over years,” Reynolds said, “and that approach isn’t changing anytime soon.” House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, spoke after Reynolds and picked up on that theme. “We look forward to, after we’re all reelected, to doing this again moving forward,” Grassley said.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, a Republican from Ankeny, said Republicans promised they’d pursue this path if voters gave the GOP majority control of the Senate, alongside the Republican governor and Republican-led House. “Six years ago we laid out a vision for Iowa and — more specifically — a vision for tax reform in Iowa, a vision where Iowa is a state that encourages work and encourages investment, a vision where retirees stay in Iowa to be close to their kids and grandkids, a vision of a tax code that is simple, flat and fair to taxpayers,” Whitver said. “House File 2317 brings that vision to life.”

Dozens of Republican legislators joined Reynolds for the bill signing ceremony. Reynolds thanked Whitver and Grassley “for your partnership” as she handed them pens she’d used to sign her name on the official copy of the legislation. Tonight, Governor Reynolds will deliver the GOP response to President Biden’s State of the Union address.

Democrats in the legislature say the tax plan gets rid of Iowa’s progressive tax system and provides a tax break to the wealthiest Iowans that will be 100 times greater than what middle income Iowans will get. “This is a tax bill that’s going to overwhelmingly benefit the ultrarich and big corporations,” Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls of Coralville said during a news conference this afternoon. “…It’s wrong and it’s our view that it shouldn’t have happened.” House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, a Democrat from Windsor Heights, said Reynolds is governing to raise her national profile, not to do what’s best for Iowans.

“Part of my problem with this tax bill is the fact that it was rushed through the process specifically so she could talk about the tax bill tonight. That’s now how we make policy,” Konfrst said. “We make policy through deliberation, through negotiation and through honest debate.” Konfrst told reporters Reynolds will “probably forget to thank President Biden” for the federal pandemic relief money the state is using to support child care centers, build out the state’s broadband network and improve water quality.

The leading Democratic candidate for governor said Reynolds should be paying attention to challenges the state is facing, like a lack of child care, affordable housing and a workforce shortage. “Our current governor is focused on a national, political agenda that we all know by now does no good for Iowa and does no good for the rest of this country,” DeJear said during a news conference today.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who are watching the events unfold in Ukraine and who want to help those in harm’s way need look no further than the Salvation Army. That international aid organization is in Ukraine serving people in need. Spokesman Dan Furry says the agency has operation centers throughout Ukraine including one in the capital city of Kyiv. “They’re busy handing out food. They’re busy handing out toiletries and clothing,” Furry says, “and they’re providing spiritual and emotional care for those that need it.”

Furry says the best way for Iowans to get help to Ukraine is through a monetary donation. “People ask, ‘Can I donate food? Can I donate clothing?’ and sadly that’s not realistic,” he says, “because the cost, the time, and the likelihood it may never reach the intended group is very, very possible.” Furry says the organization has set up an online link for those wanting to make a donation — and it’s salvation-army-u-s-a-dot-org.

“That is a specific donation page for funds to go directly to our operations in Ukraine,” Furry says, “to help people who are affected by the military operations there.” According to the website, “The Salvation Army has a long-standing presence in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Because we are already part of the communities in which we serve, we are on the ground and ready to respond and serve immediately in times of need such as this.”