The union that represents the largest group of state employees has issued a response to budget cutting maneuvers by the Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC). Iowa’s prison system was ordered to trim $5.5 million from its budget after Governor Branstad signed a measure that slashes more than $100 million from the current state budget to deal with lower-than-expected state tax revenue.

On Wednesday, the DOC announced plans to shut down programs tied to prison operations in Anamosa, Clarinda, Fort Madison, and Sheldon. Corrections director Jerry Bartruff said the cuts would result in “an estimated reduction in staff positions of three-percent.” AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan issued a statement on Thursday saying it’s unclear exactly how many layoffs there will be, but he knows eight probationary correctional officers from Fort Madison and nine officers from the Iowa State Penitentiary have already been terminated. He fears “there may be many more.” Homan says the Branstad administration has decided to “balance a failed budget on the backs of public employees.”  (Radio Iowa)
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FULL PRESS RELEASE FROM AFSCME:

DES MOINES – AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan issued the following statement in response to the facility closures and Correctional Officer layoffs announced by the Iowa Department of Corrections:

“It’s a scary time for correctional employees across Iowa. The Iowa Department of Corrections informed us that they would be laying off a number of probationary Correctional Officers, though it is unclear exactly how many that will be. Eight officers from Fort Madison and nine officers from the Iowa State Penitentiary have already been terminated, though I fear there may be many more. DOC also announced plans to close down the Luster Heights Camp at Harper’s Ferry, the Lodge at Clarinda, the John Bennett Unit at Fort Madison, and the Residential Treatment Services at the Sheldon Community Based Corrections facility. Contrary to the Department’s statement, this was not done collaboratively; it was an arbitrary announcement. AFSCME wasn’t notified of these actions until after they were put in place.

“At a time when our prisons are severely understaffed, this is the last place that the State of Iowa needs to be cutting corners. Branstad and Reynolds have given away our state’s massive surplus in the form of tax credits and giveaways to big businesses while underfunding public services. When the budget disaster they created came back to bite them, rather than borrowing from the maxed-out rainy day fund or ending some tax cuts, they decided to balance their failed budget on the backs of public employees. These layoffs and closures are completely avoidable under responsible leadership, but unfortunately that’s something we’re lacking. I invite Governor Branstad and soon-to-be Governor Reynolds to spend a day in an understaffed prison; maybe then they’ll reconsider where cuts should be made.”

Legislators have begun discussing new legal limits for where drones may fly in Iowa and who may have access to drone video. State lawmakers considered regulating “unmanned aerial vehicles” in 2014, ultimately passing a narrow law that bans police and state troopers from using drones to catch speeders. Republican Representative Jarad Klein, of Keota, is leading the discussion on drones.

“You see how much the technology has advanced, beyond where we thought it would ever be,” Klein says. “I don’t anticipate rushing this by any means, but we’re going to keep it moving along. We’re going to address the concerns that everybody’s bringing up and make sure we’re good to roll.”

Two legislators met with critics and supporters of the proposed bill Thursday morning. Thirty-three states have some sort of law that addresses the use of drones.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa House panel has approved a minimum wage bill that could result in pay cuts for tens of thousands of workers. The Local Government Committee approved the bill Thursday. It would ban Iowa’s counties and cities from increasing their local minimum wages and cancel higher wages already implemented in Polk, Linn, Johnson and Wapello counties. All Republicans on the committee supported the bill while all Democrats were opposed.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Federal officials say a former eastern Iowa police chief has pleaded guilty to charges of stealing a police gun and lying to a federal agent. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa says 47-year-old Jeffrey Filloon, of Toledo, Iowa, pleaded guilty to the counts Thursday in Cedar Rapids’ federal courthouse. In exchange, other counts were dropped.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans on a legislative committee have approved a bill that would make big changes to Iowa’s collective bargaining law for public employees. The Senate panel approved the bill Thursday after hearing strong opposition from Democratic lawmakers. Iowa’s current collective bargaining law allows public sector employees like teachers, nurses and correctional officers to negotiate job benefits, including health insurance, extra pay and seniority. The bill would prohibit those discussions.

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — Iowa election officials say nearly 6,000 Dallas County absentee ballots went uncounted from the Nov. 8 election because of several mistakes by local election officials. A letter from the Iowa Secretary of State’s office says a total of 5,842 ballots went uncounted, but the office acknowledges the missed votes did not change the outcome of any election on the ballot in the central Iowa county.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A House panel has approved a minimum wage bill that could result in pay cuts for tens of thousands of Iowa workers. The Local Government Committee on Thursday approved the bill that bans local governments from increasing the minimum wage and cancels higher wages already implemented in Polk, Linn, Johnson and Wapello counties.

All Republicans on the committee supported the bill while all the Democrats were opposed. It now moves to the full House. The bill, introduced by Johnston Republican Jake Highfill, would force all counties to adhere to Iowa’s minimum hourly wage of $7.25.

Bill supporters say wages should be set by the state. Others argue the legislation infringes on local governments. Polk and Johnson county officials say they are exploring possible legal action if lawmakers approve the bill.

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ouida Hargens, Thursday afternoon, announced she has resigned from her position. She has reportedly decided to resign to help her husband focus on his grain and livestock hedging business, and to pursue some other possible, future opportunities within the community.

In a statement, Hargens said “After careful consideration, I have decided to resign from my position of Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.  I moved to Atlantic in March of 2013 to take the position of the Programs Director. By April my passion for the community resembled that of a long-time resident.  In October, the same year, I took the position of the Executive Director. The community and membership has embraced me with open arms.”

Ouida Hargens

She went on to say “Your support helped me to reach many of my career goals. Strengthening partnerships within the community through the collaborative website www.atlanticiowa.com.  Growing the resources within the organization by securing three new Community Investors. Engaging members and volunteers in the Total Resource Campaign creating the most successful campaign two years in a row.”

“The goal of $90,000 was surpassed by $20,000, tripling the amount of funds previously raised. The $110,000 sponsorship campaign included participation of over 60% of our members.” The success of the campaign she said, has allowed for the addition of new programs and events to the community, as well as new memberships.

“All of these goals,” she said, “Were accomplished because of the support of the membership, community, and volunteers. Also, the time and dedication given by staff especially Chelsea Cousins, Alli Krogman and Bailey Smith, our current Program Director. All three were amazing, creative and talented women to work side by side with.”

Hargens closed by saying “Thank you again for all the opportunities and support.”

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — Iowa election officials say nearly 6,000 Dallas County absentee ballots went uncounted from the Nov. 8 election because of mistakes by local election officials. A letter from the Iowa Secretary of State’s office says a total of 5,842 ballots went uncounted, but the office acknowledges the missed votes did not change the outcome of any election on the ballot in the central Iowa county. The office says local officials tallied the votes, but failed to upload those tallies to software that compiles vote reports.

The omission of the ballots wasn’t discovered until Feb. 1. In the letter to Dallas County officials, Deputy Secretary of State Carol Olson said while the omissions were due to mistakes, “it is chilling to contemplate the possibility that winners could easily have been affected.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republicans on a legislative committee have approved a bill that would make big changes to Iowa’s collective bargaining law for public employees. The Senate Labor and Business Relations Committee approved the bill Thursday after hearing strong opposition from Democratic lawmakers, all of whom voted against the measure.

Iowa’s current collective bargaining law allows public sector employees like teachers, nurses and correctional officers to negotiate job benefits, including health insurance, extra pay and seniority. The proposed legislation would specifically prohibit those discussions.

Republicans say the bill, which includes exemptions for some public safety workers, will give employers greater flexibility to reward top employees. Unions argue it will hurt Iowa’s workforce and is meant to weaken unions.

The bill is expected to be debated on the Senate and House floors next week.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office said today (Thursday), a man from Malvern who was arrested after he was apprehended by a Fremont County K9 unit at around 3:45-a.m., has been charged with Possession of Burglary Tools, Interference with Official Acts, Theft in the 2nd Degree, Ongoing Criminal Conduct and Criminal Trespass with Injury. 37-year old Jeremy Lynn Erickson was being held in the Mills County Jail on $34,000 bond.

Jeremy L. Erickson

The Sheriff’s Department said also, 38-year old Nicholas Jason Manolia was arrested Wednesday night in Malvern for Obstruction of Emergency Communication. His bond was set at $300. And, 50-year old Denise Christine Russell, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Wednesday night along Highway 34 in Mills County, for Driving Under Suspension. Her bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate issued the following statement today regarding a discrepancy in the vote totals reported by the Dallas County Auditor’s Office.

“One of the first components of my Election Integrity Act when I announced it last month was establishing post-election audits. I am asking the Iowa Legislature to give me the authority to conduct them. A post-election audit in Dallas County would have caught and fixed this problem. The Election Integrity Act is a comprehensive proposal aimed at modernizing technology, streamlining the process, protecting against human error and the potential for fraud, and instilling confidence in our electoral system. This bill would help ensure things like what happened in Dallas County never happen again.” – Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State

Secretary Pate issued a technical infraction to the Dallas County Auditor’s Office as a result of these errors.

A letter from the Dallas County Auditor’s Office explaining the situation is available at this link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/socialmedia.sos.iowa.gov/photos/DallasCountyResponsePDF.pdf

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – One of the companies involved in Iowa’s privately managed Medicaid system intends to reduce payments to agencies that serve thousands of people with disabilities, which is raising concerns that some of the organizations could go out of business.

The Des Moines Register reports that letters sent this week show AmeriHealth Caritas plans to cut the rates to the minimum. AmeriHealth is one of three national insurance companies that took over management of Iowa’s Medicaid program last April. The program covers about 600,000 Iowa residents, including tens of thousands with serious disabilities.

The company negotiated higher rates than Iowa required it to pay community agencies for services given to residents with disabilities. But contracts with the agencies allow the management company to cut those rates at any time.