WASHINGTON—The Office of Senator Joni Ernst says “After Democrats tucked a little-known provision into their $1.9 trillion “COVID relief” bill that would ban states, like Iowa, from cutting state taxes, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is backing legislation to reverse the provision. According to Ernst, “The Democrats’ partisan, nearly $2 trillion ‘COVID relief’ package rewards states that have mismanaged their budgets while punishing those who have acted responsibly during this pandemic. It’s no surprise that this rushed bill also prevents states—like Iowa—from cutting taxes for its hardworking taxpayers. We shouldn’t punish states, and our working families, for prioritizing fiscal responsibility, and this commonsense legislation will repeal this ill-conceived provision that infringes on states’ rights.”

Governor Kim Reynolds said “Iowa’s fiscal health is strong and we are cutting taxes so that Iowans can keep more of their hard-earned money, but unfortunately our approach is in jeopardy because of what’s happening in Washington, D.C.” She added, “Biden’s stimulus plan is full of reckless spending with strings attached aimed at bailing out mismanaged states and cities. I appreciate Senator Ernst taking the lead on the State Fiscal Flexibility Act to help prevent the federal government from slowing down Iowa’s economic recovery.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s unemployment rate is again near where it was before the pandemic hit more than a year ago, but the state’s leisure and hospitality industry now employs 25-thousand fewer people than it did in February of 2020. Jessica Dunker, president of the Iowa Restaurant Association, says many businesses that scaled back to follow health precautions are now looking to bring workers back. Dunker says, “If April 5th offers everything it promises to, which is allowing any Iowan who wants to be able get vaccinated the opportunity to go find an appointment, we expect a summer that will be vibrant and busy and really help us on the path to recovery.”

Job numbers in the industry may not add up to what they were before because Dunker says many restaurants are doing more take-out, which requires fewer workers. She says public health restrictions were a critical blow, but there is growing optimism as businesses reopen their patios and more people become vaccinated.  “As vaccines get out there, people are coming back out, the weather is warming, carry-out and delivery is now an integral part of what we’re doing,” Dunker says, “and so for restaurants and bars that made it to the other side, the future looks bright.”

Employment in all industries was down by more than 80,000 in Iowa from February of 2020 to February of 2021. While the greatest decline in job numbers from a year ago is in leisure and hospitality, that’s followed by education and health services, and government.

(By Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)

Police in Creston report three arrests. On Sunday, 26-year-old Ashley Starlin, of Creston, was arrested at around 1:50-a.m. for OWI/1st offense. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond. And, 48-year-old Eric Shawler, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Domestic Abuse Assault with the Intent to Inflict Serious Injury. He was later released from the Adams County Jail, on a $2,000 bond.

On Saturday, 66-year-old Vernon Loudon, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

KCCI reports a recent Iowa Poll reports a majority of Iowans who would be in favor of legalizing marijuana. The Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll was conducted between March 7 and March 10 and 775 Iowans participated. It reports 54% were in favor of legalizing marijuana, 39% were opposed and 6% were unsure. The results were similar to the March 2020 Iowa Poll.

The poll also asked participants about expanding the medical marijuana program in the state. Of the participants, 78% said the program should include more diseases and conditions, 14% opposed the expansion, and 7% were unsure. There was a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

(Updated 10:30-a.m., 3/29) – Police in Newton have released the name of a man who’s body was found Sunday morning, in a creek. The remains of 47-year-old Gregory Jayson Zwick, of Newton were discovered on the bank of a creek at around 10-a.m. in the 1400 block of South Fourth Avenue. An investigation is continues. Authorities say while there were no apparent indications of foul play, the cause of death was unknown, pending the results of an autopsy.