(Radio Iowa) – Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says it is unlikely Republicans legislators will agree on how to address complaints that companies like Apple and Amazon are censoring conservatives. Senators have voted to withdraw state and local tax breaks for big tech companies if a court rules Iowans are being censored. A plan in the House narrowed the bill, to apply only when Iowa elected officials or political candidates have online posts or accounts removed.

“I’m not ready to throw any bill away for the session because there are a lot of negotiations going on,” Whitver says, “but it seems like we’re probably far enough apart on that issue that it’ll be tough to find resolution this year.” Friday is the 110th day of this year’s legislative session, the last day members of the Iowa House and Senate get a daily stipend to cover expenses. It’s often a target date for adjourning for the year.

IA Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver

“The House has passed a lot of different bills. We’ve passed a lot of different bills and we need to just get on the same page and figured out what those joint priorities are, what we can pass to move this state forward and end with a successful session,” Whitver says. “I am very optimistic that we will end a very successful session here fairly soon, but we just still have a lot of negotiations left to go to get to that point.” Senate Republicans, for example, have proposed a wide array of tax cuts, while House Republicans have proposed a series of tax credits.

“We’re still having that conversation, but I think overall we’re fortunate here in Iowa that we can even have that conversation,” Whitver says. “We managed our budget very prudently over the past few years, even through the pandemic we ended with a surplus, so that we can come back and not offer a stimulus payment to people, but offer permanent, lasting tax cuts to Iowans and still have a responsible budget.” Democrats have argued at least part of the state’s one billion dollar budget surplus and cash reserve should be used to help individuals and businesses in Iowa who’ve taken a financial hit in the pandemic.

Whitver says Senate Republicans are prioritizing 100 million dollars in property tax relief, with a proposed state take-over of the mental health system, along with eliminating some tax revenue guideposts set up in 2018, so a series of income tax cuts can take effect. “We want that tax cut to be done this year. We also have been very adamant about removing mental health off of the property tax rolls,” Whitver says. “If we can find agreement on those two things, I think a lot of other things will fall in place pretty quick.”

Whitver made his comments during an interview with Radio Iowa.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – April 27, 2021 – A bridge deck overlay project on Interstate 129 in Sioux City requires closing the ramp from southbound I-29 to westbound I-129/U.S. 20 from 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, until Monday, July 12, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office.

During this project, motorists will be detoured to Singing Hills Boulevard, then to northbound I-29 and westbound U.S. 20 (see map).

Atlantic, Iowa – April 27 — Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) has received national recognition for achieving exceptional electric service reliability in 2020. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association (APPA). APPA helps electric utilities track power outage and restoration data and then compares the data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.

AMU’s Average Service Availability Index is 99.9923%, meaning that on average, customers of AMU have their electric service available for use more than 99.99% of the time. APPA has awarded AMU a Certificate of Excellence in Reliability because AMU ranks in the top quartile (25%) of all electric utilities throughout the U.S.

“Public power utilities have proven their commitment to serving their community by continuing to lead the nation in reliability,” said Alex Hofmann, APPA’s Vice President of Technical and Operations Services. “These utilities are the best of the best when it comes to keeping the lights on in their communities.”

“We are proud to receive this recognition. It is a testament to the hard work of all our line workers and staff to ensure that we keep Atlantic and the surrounding rural area powered,” said Steve Tjepkes, General Manager at AMU.

In an update to our earlier reports, the Atlantic Police Department, Tuesday (today), said Angela Hillhouse, of Atlantic, complained of neck pain, but refused transport to CCMH, following a collision that happened in the 1000 block of E. 22nd Street, at around 7:35-a.m., Monday (April 26).

Authorities say Hillhouse was traveling eastbound on 22nd and had stopped in the roadway for construction workers, who were partially blocking the road, and a bus that was approaching in the opposite direction.

Her vehicle was hit from behind by a vehicle driven by Leslie Paulsen, of Exira, as Paulsen was traveling over the hill. Damage from the collision amounted to $10,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports seven arrests. On Sunday, Deputies arrested 38-year-old Erick Antoine Smith, of St. Louis, MO, following a traffic stop on I-29. He was charged with Possession of a controlled substance. Bond was set at $1,000. Last Saturday, 20-year-old Nathan Edward Lee Richardson, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/3rd offense. His bond was set at $5,000. 44-year-old Michael Raymond Carver, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday, also, for Intimidation, Disorderly Conduct, and Public Intoxication. Bond was set at $1,600.

Last Friday, 20-year-old Mariah Marie Pierson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a warrant for Probation Violation. Bond was set at $10,000. On April 21st, 41-year old Jacey Carvel Higgins, of Omaha, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear on a PCS charge. Bond was set at $5,000.

On April 17th, 22-year-old Dylan Jacob Barrett, of Glenwood, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, with bond set at $300. And, 37-year-old Garret Allen Horgdahl, of Henderson, was arrested on a warrant for Stalking, Harassment in the 2nd Degree, 2 counts of Child Endangerment, and Contempt of Court. His bond was set at $7,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office said also, 55-year-old Timothy Harvey, of Glenwood, escaped injury after the 2014 Harley Davidson he was driving, went out of control and entered the west ditch off of 230th Street. The incident occurred at around 12:33-p.m., after a tan Ford Ranger came into his lane as Harvey was traveling southbound, near Devore Avenue. The Ranger continued northbound on 230th Street, and did not stop.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU via Iowa DOT Aviation Bureau) — A road near Sioux Gateway Airport has been named after a pilot from an infamous flight. KCAU in Sioux City reports the city council voted unanimously to dedicate the north segment of the road near the airport Al Haynes Drive.

The remains of United Flight 232 following the fatal crash 7/19/1989

Haynes was the pilot of United Airlines Flight 232, which crashed at Sioux Gateway Airport on July 19, 1989.  The flight was enroute from Denver to Chicago and then on to Philadelphia, when it crash-landed after suffering a catastrophic failure of its tail-mounted engine, which led to the loss of many flight controls. 112 people died in the crash, but thanks to the actions of Haynes and local rescue crews, 184 people survived. Haynes died in 2019.

Mayor Bob Scott said Haynes always spoke highly of the City of Sioux City, so it was only fitting to name a street after him. Scott said the city may hold an official dedication in the future.