(Radio Iowa) – A group of senators is discussing the idea of giving state grants of up to five-thousand dollars to new remote workers in Iowa who telecommute to jobs out-of-state. Joe Murphy is executive director of the Iowa Business Council, which represents 22 of Iowa’s largest employers. “We really believe tools like this, tactics like this should be explored in a serious way,” Murphy says. “We should be doing everything we can to invite new Iowans coming into our state from out of state.”

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Iowa’s population grew by just four-thousand people from mid-2019 to mid-2020. Craig Patterson, a lobbyist for the Professional Developers of Iowa, says more new Iowans are needed to help existing businesses grow and bring new businesses here. “Population is just a huge issue that our folks run into,” Patterson says.

The original concept was to give at least 100 grants in each of the next five years to cover the costs of someone moving to Iowa and setting up to work from home for out-of-state companies. However, the latest version of the bill also would make residents of the state’s 30 largest cities eligible for the grants if they move to rural Iowa or an Iowa city with a population under 15-thousand. Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, says that makes no sense if the goal is to expand Iowa’s population. “There’s no benefit to the overall Iowa economy if we’re stealing a job from Des Moines and, you know, moving it maybe 50 miles west into a smaller community,” Dotzler says.

A senate subcommittee reviewed the proposal this week, but tabled it as senators consider making changes.

(Atlantic) – The American Legion Memorial Building – otherwise known as “The Armory” – here in Atlantic, has served as the home for National Guard soldiers, and in its later years, as a museum for military memorabilia, a military library, Atlantic History Center, Memorial Hall, and as a meeting and programs center. The nearly 100-year old building is owned by ARISE – The non-profit Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise. All those years of service have taken a toll on the building, despite remodeling and upgrades. ARISE has helped to pay for repairs and upgrades, including parking lot improvements, but the old girl is showing her age.

ARISE President Steve Livengood, says the unique roof is leaking, and in dire need of repair.

The roof used to be hot asphalt, with hot tar commonly used for repairs. At one point foam was installed over the asphalt, complicating matters.

A local company has agreed to take-on the task of replacing the roof, but it won’t come cheap.

It’s expected to cost around $65,000. Other work is required for maintenance of the building, as well. Livengood says various organizations are working to fundraiser for the repairs.

(If you want to help, make your check out to ARISE, and mail to ARISE. P.O. Box 1, Atlantic, 50022.)

Work on the project is expected to start soon. If you haven’t been to the Armory before, or want to see what’s new, you can take a virtual tour this Sunday, March 21st, beginning at 1 pm. Steve Livengood will lead the video tour beginning with history of the Building. Stay home, put your feet up, get comfortable and link to Zoom. Find the Zoom link on ariseAtlantic.org or Facebook: Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise. After Sunday, the tour program will be available to view on the web and/or Facebook pages.

The American Legion Memorial Building as well as the Rock Island Depot are owned by Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise (ARISE). It is a non-profit organization with a mission to serve the southwest Iowa community.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has answered the call again this year. Fund spokesperson (and Trevor’s mom) Melanie Petty, says $1,000.00 was donated to the Nishna Valley Family YMCA Partnership with Youth Campaign.  She said “We feel strongly about the importance of the YMCA in our community and hope that others will too.  The YMCA is a safe environment for our children and offers plenty of programs to keep them active throughout the year.  Scholarships are available for all ages to enjoy the facilities along with a free membership for all 5th graders!”

All funds donated by the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund are raised at the organization’s annual golf tournament.  The 13th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, August 14th.  Plans are already in the works and we encourage everyone to stop out to Nishna Hills Golf Course that day to visit and check out the amazing silent auction.

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund is a 501©3 Non Profit Organization and all monies raised are given back to things Trev loved in his community. Stay tuned to KJAN on-air and online, for additional updates on what the fund is doing.

Three women were arrested on separate charges Thursday, in Creston. According to Creston Police, 47-year old Angela Sue Wimber, of Creston, was arrested at around 9:17-a.m., for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense. She was later released from the Union County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond. And, at around 7:20-p.m., Thursday, 20-year old Kaylynn Elizabeth Marie Tucker, of Omaha, was arrested at the Creston Wal-Mart, for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was cited and released from the scene, on a Promise to Appear in court.

And, 31-year-old Chelsey Kile, of Creston was arrested at around 4:45-p.m. Thursday, on a Union County Warrant for Theft 5^th Degree.  Kile was released on a $300 cash bond.

(7:06-a.m. News, updated 9-a.m.)

(Radio Iowa) – A state panel meets today(Friday) to set official estimates of state tax revenue for the next 15 months. Robust projections could lead House Republicans to accept the Iowa Senate’s plan to accelerate state income tax cuts. But House Speaker Pat Grassley says a 2018 law includes a benchmark that state tax collections grow by at least four percent before the tax cuts are triggered to kick in. On Thursday he said “We might sit here tomorrow and revenue has grown to a point where it’s not an issue, but if that’s not the case, we’re going to take a cautions approach to looking at the triggers.”

Governor Kim Reynolds supports removing that tax revenue measurement, so a series of promised income tax cuts automatically take effect in 2023. “We recognize that’s been a priority of the governor’s so we’ll engage in those conversations,” Grassley says. Another factor in the tax debate has been federal pandemic relief money, which is not to be used by states to cut taxes. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued a statement, saying states may cut taxes — so long as an accounting shows the extra federal funds aren’t the reason a state is in a position to cut taxes. Grassley says he hasn’t seen that statement, but lawmakers will look at potential tax changes if it doesn’t jeopardize the federal aid.

“We obviously want to get money back in the pockets of hardworking Iowans, but we also want to do that in a responsible way that we don’t end up upside down like some of our neighbors,” Grassley says. Last month, the governor of Illinois proposed corporate tax changes that would raise 932 million more in taxes. The State of Illinois faces a budget deficit. Iowa has nearly a billion in cash reserves and the state’s economic emergency fund.