(Radio Iowa) – Iowa House Republicans are proposing a constitutional amendment to set a higher threshold for any future state income tax hike. If Iowa voters approve the change, two-thirds of the members of the Iowa legislature would have to vote to raise the state income tax on individuals or corporations. Democrats like Representative Dave Jacoby of Coralville opposes the move.

“Think about what you’re trying to change,” Jacoby said. “If this amendment passes…it will destroy our form of government and implement a super majority.” Democrats say the proposal would give veto power to 17 of 50 senators and 34 of the 100 state representatives and hamstring the ability of Iowa General Assemblies to respond to conditions in the future. Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton says other states led by Democrats have similar policies in place for decades.

“California, a blue state, put this into their constitution in 1979…Delaware 1980…This policy before us has been in the constitution of bright blue states. The sky did not fall,” Kaufmann said. “Every example of a (dystopian) future did not happen.”

A similar proposal has been introduced in the Iowa Senate. Proposed amendments Iowa’s Constitution must be approved by two General Assemblies before going on the ballot for Iowa voters to have the final say.

Des Moines – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, on Tuesday, said 40-year-old Trey Wysocki, of New Virginia, was sentenced on March 11, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class D Felony). And, 39-year-old Kristopher Stapes, of St. Charles, was sentenced on March 19, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of Accessory After the Fact (Simple Misdemeanor). Both men were sentenced following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.

The investigation began in February 2023, after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating that Wysocki and Stapes provided false information to an insurer in support of a workers’ compensation claim and received monetary benefits to which Wysocki would not otherwise have been entitled to.

The investigation determined that Wysocki was employed by Stapes when he cut his hand with a power saw while on the job. Wysocki submitted a workers compensation claim, stating that he was unable to work due to a severe injury to his hand.  The insurance company approved Wysocki to receive workers compensation benefits for the duration of time that he would be off work due to injury. The investigation found that Wysocki continued working for Stapes while also collecting workers compensation benefits. Wysocki received $1,055 in benefit payments he otherwise would have not been entitled to. Wysocki was arrested on September 6, 2023 and Stapes was arrested on September 7, 2023.

Photo L-R: Trey Wysocki, Kristopher Stapes – Photos courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Wysocki received a deferred sentence and was placed on probation for a period of two years. Wysocki was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,025. Stapes was ordered to pay a fine of $105 as well as restitution.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – March 26, 2024 – If you are driving on U.S. 59 one mile south of Avoca in the coming weeks you need to be aware of a lane closure that may impact your trip.

Crews will begin replacing the other half of the bridge on U.S. 59 beginning on Monday, April 1, weather permitting. The roadway will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot lane width restriction. Trucks with wide loads traveling north of the work zone will be directed to use Iowa 83 and trucks with wide loads traveling south of the work zone will be directed to use U.S. 6.

You will be directed across the bridge with temporary signal lights.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee is slated to meet 3:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall, to discuss a couple of matters. The first is with regard to applicants for the position of City Clerk. Former City Clerk Barb Barrick has resigned and accepted a position in Huxley. The City Council last week, appointed Rich Tupper as Interim City Clerk until a permanent replacement is found.

The Committee will also discuss and make a recommendation to the full City Council during their next meeting, with regard to contract services with the City of Marne.

The meeting takes place in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, in Atlantic.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say no injuries were reported following a collision at around 12:35-p.m. today (Tuesday), at the intersection of Elm and Summit Streets. According to the report, a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country van driven by 20-year-old Destani Rose Richardson, of Creston, was traveling east on Summit Street, and was approaching Elm Street.

North-and south-bound traffic on Elm does not have a stop sign. Police say Richardson failed to yield the right-of-way to a northbound 2012 Infiniti QX56 SUV, driven by 29-year-old Jenna Leigh Crago, of Creston. Richardson told police she didn’t see the SUV. Crago told authorities she saw the van approach the stop sign and thought it was going to stop, but the van entered the intersection and struck the SUV on the left rear side tire.

The van sustained minor damage ($2,500), and the SUV sustained disabling damage (estimated at $5,000). Creston Police cited Richardson for Failure To Yield.

(Radio Iowa) – A state panel has rejected challenges that sought to disqualify two candidates for a northwest Iowa House seat from the June Primary.

The Republican from Onawa who’s currently serving in Iowa House District 13 is not seeking reelection. Republicans Noah Wieseler of Sioux City and Travis Sitzmann of Le Mars are running for the seat in the June Primary. The secretary of state’s office received challenges alleging neither candidate was qualified to run because they don’t live in the district.

The State Objection Panel rejected those claims and cited both the Iowa Constitutions and state law. Both say a candidate only has to live in the legislative district they intend to represent for 60 days before November’s General Election.

“While the law says you’ve only got to be in the district 60 days before the General Election, a lot of folks aren’t aware of that and assume as soon as you declare, you’ve got to be there, so it’s not an uncommon objection,” said State Auditor Rob Sand, a member of the State Objection Panel.

State Objection Panel members, left to right: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, State Auditor Rob Sand, Secretary of State Paul Pate (RI photo)

Candidates for the Iowa legislature do have to be Iowa residents for at least a year before the General Election, but only have to live in the district they’re running in for 60 days before he November election. Iowa candidates the U-S House of Representatives have to be Iowa residents, but do NOT have to live in the congressional district they seek to represent.