(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is not yet ready to say how she’ll vote on President-elect Trump’s pick to head the Pentagon. During an appearance on Fox News, Ernst indicated she has not gotten to yes on Pete Hegseth’s nomination to be U-S Secretary of Defense. Ernst says she had a very thorough discussion with Hegseth on Wednesday about allegations that have been made against him.

Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to the U-S Senate, is a sexual assault survivor. Ernst says a number senators want to make sure that any allegations against Hegseth have been cleared before his confirmation vote.

Ernst indicated the vetting of Hegseth will continue for the next month or so, until his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Ernst is a member of the panel. Another Republican on the committee praised Hegseth after meeting with him today (Thursday). However, South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds says he wants Hegseth to be able to respond publicly to the accusations against him at the committee’s confirmation hearing in January.

(Radio Iowa) – Leaders of the State Dental Association want Iowa lawmakers to address a critical shortage of dentists who accept Medicaid patients. Carroll dentist Chris Bogue, is the president of the organization.  “The reimbursement rate is one, and then the secondary is we don’t have the staff to help us see a lot of these patients,” he says. “We kind of have a double whammy and both of those issues are kind of our legislative priorities this year.” Dr. Bogue says Medicaid reimbursement rates have stayed stagnant for almost 20 years.

“It is hard and that’s the struggle. As dentists, we wanna do everything we can to help when we actually see the patients. We’re probably getting paid 20 to 30 cents on the dollar. And that doesn’t even cover overhead for a lot of the cases,” Bogue says. Tracy Gotto of the Buena Vista County Health Department says none of the five dentists in Storm Lake accepts Medicaid patients, and the local health center is the only option.

“Dentists are just saying that they can’t do it based on the reimbursement, and I think we’re just having this crisis all over. We were sending kids to Fort Dodge at one point, and now Fort Dodge is saying they can’t take any more kids either,” Gotto says. Dr. Bogue also wants the legislature to address a severe shortage of dental hygienists and assistants.

The need for Medicaid providers is so great that a free “Mission of Mercy” clinic in Sioux City in October treated one thousand people – but was forced to turn down another thousand who officials say exhausted all other options for care.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is suggesting the tax and budget cutting formula she’s used over the past seven years could be the model for Republicans who will be in control of congress and the White House next year.  “As Washington prepares for taxes to take center stage in the next administration, there’s a new growth oriented, fiscally conscious model to look to in the heartland,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds, a Republican who’s a former county treasurer and state senator, took over as governor in mid-2017. She has signed five separate tax reduction plans into law. Next month, Iowa’s personal income tax will shrink to a single rate of three-point-eight percent. The state income tax for corporations has been reduced as well.  “Iowa’s journey to tax competitiveness — it wasn’t a matter of a few modest tweaks,” Reynolds says. “It was a complete, top-to-bottom transformation.” Reynolds also spearheaded a reorganization plan for state government in 2023. It consolidated 37 state agencies into 16.

Earlier this year Reynolds signed the law that has eliminated dozens of state boards and commissions. Reynolds says her budget trimming is required in order to cut taxes responsibly. “Fundamentally the story of Iowa’s transformation was less about implementing clever policies and it was more about unleashing the energy and creativity in Iowans and in our communities,” Reynolds syas. “It was truly the triumph of simplicity over complexity, growth over spending and bottom up energy over top down management.”

Reynolds reviewed these and other policies of the past during remarks at the Iowa Taxpayers Association’s annual symposium, but did not reveal what tax or spending ideas she’ll ask legislators to implement in 2025. Reynolds received the annual Iowa Taxpayers Association’s award for advancing business-friendly tax policies. The national Tax Foundation gave Reynolds its annual distinguished service award last month.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – Officials with the Iowa West Foundation report nearly $1 million in grant funding was awarded to five southwest Iowa towns with populations around 1,000 as part of the Vibrant Rural Communities program (VIBE). The grants will support projects that include a community center renovation and water and sewer infrastructure for future housing development among other projects. Among the rural communities receiving 2024 Cycle 3 Grants and Initiatives, was:

• The City of Avoca : Community Center, $125,000
• City of Hancock: Tree removal, $15,000
• City of Oakland: Sourcing wells, $400,000
• City of Treynor: Infrastructure, $125,000
• City of Underwood: Wastewater upgrade, $250,000

(see the list of other communities and their awards, below)

Brenda Mainwaring, President, and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, said “Our vision strives for communities where people love to live with an emphasis on the ‘S’ in communities. Rural residents have immense pride in their towns, and we are pleased to be able to support their efforts to build and grow their hometowns.”

The IWF’s VIBE program is supported by Advance Southwest Iowa – which also received an operating grant for $225,000 – with consulting assistance from McClure Engineering. Together, they help Pottawattamie County communities identify capital improvement projects and assist with applications for potential funding resources. Paula Hazlewood, CEO of Advance Southwest Iowa, said “We are grateful for the Foundation’s support, which has empowered us to create new opportunities for growth in rural communities.“Thanks to this partnership, we are building a stronger local economy and a brighter future for our residents.”

Bethany Wilcoxon, Senior Advisor with McClure Engineering, said “We look at communities around Pottawattamie County through our work with Iowa West Foundation, and there are so many opportunities. However, a lot of these communities only have a city clerk and they’re trying to get out water bills and keep city councils moving forward. VIBE is about figuring out how do we pull all the resources together to help.”

In addition to VIBE projects, the Foundation awarded grants in Adams County for building revitalization, Crawford County mobile pantries, and Cass County for a new mental health program. Carson also received a grant for a façade renovation on Main Street and Macedonia for fire safety equipment for their volunteer fire department.

Partnerships with local casinos Ameristar, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe make it possible for the Foundation to continuously award outcome-focused grants in southwest Iowa communities that support belonging, financial stability, opportunities, and wellbeing. Fees from gaming and income from Foundation investments provide funding for programs and projects that benefit the residents of 14 counties in southwest Iowa.

The Iowa West Foundation has a two-step grants process, with Letters of Inquiry (LOI) accepted year-round. LOIs received by Jan. 2 will be considered in the next cycle with final applications due by Jan. 15^th. All applicants will need to create a Giving Data account to access the LOI and application unless they have already done so.

Other 2024 Cycle 3 Grants and Initiatives:

• Adams County Economic Development Corporation: Historic Widener Building revitalization, $175,000
• Advance Southwest Iowa: Operating support, $225,000
• Anawim Housing: Supportive housing, $360,000
• Carson Business Club: Revitalize Dreamland Theatre façade , $40,000
• Cass County Memorial Hospital: Hope Squad Mental Health Program, $15,000
• City of Council Bluffs: Activation and ambassador of First Ave, $281,800
• Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau: Attracting sporting events in 2025, $50,000
• Crawford County Hunger Fighters: Mobile food pantries, $5,000
• Dreamweaver Foundation: Merrymakers performances at senior living facilities in southwest Iowa, $5,000
• Economic Empowerment Center: Services and financial education for low-income residents, $50,000
• Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs: Homeownership and Home Repair Program, $300,000
• Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG): Career Success Coach, $50,000
• La Fuente: Spanish language business and financial literacy classes, $30,000
• Macedonia Firemen’s Association: Fire safety equipment, $7,730
• Nebraska Wildlife Rehab: Services for southwest Iowa residents, $25,000
• Omaha Performing Arts Society: School based enrichment for 1,500 southwest Iowa students, $25,000.