(Radio Iowa) – Three Democrats in the Iowa Senate are proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana possession in Iowa for anyone who’s 21 or older. Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, says it’s time to regulate marijuana like alcohol. “Marijuana prohibition has been a costly failure,” Bolkcom says. “It’s ending across America because it’s caused far more harm than good,” Bolkcom says. “…Basically begin to treat marijuana like we treat a six-pack of beer.”

Bolkcom cites statistics indicating more than 43-hundred Iowans were convicted of marijuana possession in 2020 — and he says taxpayers paid millions to cover the costs of their prison time. “A lot of Iowans will see some benefit from essentially eradicating those expenses from our tax bills,” Bolkcom says. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says polls show a majority of Iowans support legalizing marijuana rather than continuing to pursue criminal charges against those who smoke or possess it.

“Iowans are tired of filling our prisons with nonviolent offenders, traumatizing families with separation and taking away opportunities for too many young adults for something that is legal is nearly half the states in our country.” Senator Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says 19 states now let residents use marijuana for a wide range of medical conditions or for recreational use.

“The world is changing around us and Iowa is getting left behind,” Trone-Garriott says. The three Democrats say Governor Kim Reynolds and Republicans who control a majority of seats in the legislature have resisted expansion of Iowa’s very limited medical marijuana program. Bolkcom says under current law, the cannabis products available today in Iowa have T-H-C levels that make them ineffective as medicine.

“It’s time for Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans to allow voters the freedom to decide,” Bolkcom says. “It’s time to hear their voices and bring marijuana reform to Iowa.” It takes years to amend the Iowa Constitution and this proposal faces a tough road ahead in a Republican-led legislature. The Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says he has no intentions of bringing the proposal up for a vote.

Senator Brad Zaun of Urbandale says proposing recreational marijuana in Iowa is a gimmick and it shows Senate Democrats lack ideas to solve the problems Iowans face.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Harlan Police Department, Tuesday, said two arrests took place over the past week, and they issued a reminder to citizens of the community, about dog tags.

Authorities say 2022 Dog Tags are available for purchase. Cost of the tag is still $10 per animal, and proof of rabies is required. Reminder that the tags are good for the calendar year that they were issued (January through December) not one year from the date they were issued. All animals are due to be renewed by January, regardless of the date you licensed your pet.

With regard to arrests: On Saturday (12/18), 40-year-old Christy Lynn Horschar, of Omaha, NE, was arrested following a traffic stop. Horschar was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with prohibited acts penalties, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to have a valid DL.

And, on Dec. 14th, 35-year-old Phillip Michael Houston, of Walnut, was arrested in Harlan on an active Pottawattamie County warrant.

(Radio Iowa) – The top Democrat in the Iowa House says it would be an extreme step to eliminate the state income tax — a move Governor Kim Reynolds and other Republican legislators have said is their long term goal. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says she and her Democratic colleagues are developing their own proposal for tax cutting.

“We’re not here to just say, ‘No,’ to things,” Konfrst says. “We’re here to find solutions…so if there’s going to be a tax cut, let’s do is responsibly and let’s make sure that it affects the people who need it the most.” Konfrst says tax cuts should be targeted to provide relief for middle class Iowans and House Democrats met this weekend to review ideas.

“When comes to any sort of an income tax or any sort of tax cut, we’d hope that we’re all focused on addressing the middle class,” Konfrst says. Konfrst made her comments during an interview with Radio Iowa. The 2022 legislative session begins January 10th.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Department reports two arrests. On Tuesday (today), 24-year-old David Patrick Robertson, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested at the Douglas County, Nebraska Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear on a Contempt charge. His bond was set at $5,000. And, Monday, 51-year-old Bryan Allen Dennis, of  Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Harrison County Jail on a Mills County warrant for FTA on a Driving While Revoked charge. His bond was set at $1,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A now former employee of the Webster County Jail has been charged with helping a prisoner escape on the night of December 11th. Following the escape of 43 year old Jordan Mefferd of Fort Dodge from the jail and his eventual return, the Webster County Sheriff’s and Attorney’s office began an investigation into his escape. Former correctional officer — 30 year old Michelle Valenti of Fort Dodge — has been charged with permitting a prisoner to escape, introducing contraband, introducing electric contraband, furnishing a controlled substance and sexual misconduct with offenders.

Valenti is being held on a $22,000 cash bond after making her appearance Tuesday morning in Webster County Magistrate Court. In a press release, Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener said the investigation is continuing and any other employees that may have violated policies or protocols will be addressed accordingly along with criminal charges.