(Radio Iowa) – House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the 2024 Iowa legislature should focus on improving access to child care and affordable housing rather than another round of tax cuts. “What does an Iowa family of four who’s a middle class family just trying to make their way in the world, what does their budget look like on July 1 versus June 30 and what have we done in the legislature to address in a way that’s truly meaningful and not just headline grabbing?” Konfrst asks. The state income tax accounts for about 46 percent of current state revenue. Republicans are considering getting rid of the state’s personal income tax and Konfrst says that’s a non-starter with Democrats.

“What really lowers costs for families? The past tax cuts that Republicans have passed have really been great for special interests, for big corporations and for the richest Iowans,” Konfrst says. “500,000 Iowans haven’t seen a dime from the tax cuts, so if there are going to be tax cuts, we need to make sure they’re targeted at middle and lower income families.” Konfrst says the latest data shows Iowa will be short 25-thousand housing units by the end of the decade and it’s time for the state to be more creative in supporting affordable housing.

“What can we do in small communities to ensure that existing housing stock can be rehabilitated in a way that lets families move in and have starter homes in these communities? What can we do to provide incentives for (home) building?” Konfrst asks. She says Democrats also support zoning changes and incentives that would help convert vacant commercial space into housing.

The 2024 Iowa legislature convenes Monday.

(Radio Iowa) – A man was found dead following a fire at a rural Dallas County home Monday. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department reports getting a call about the fire in rural Dallas Center at 9:42 p-m Sunday. Deputies found the home engulfed in flames and a woman outside who told them her husband was still inside.

Firefighters located 80-year-old Dennis Felt dead inside the home. An autopsy is planned on his body. The Sheriff’s Department says the fire appears to be accidental.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports three recent arrests:

On New Year’s Day, 51-year-old Bret Samuelson, of Glenwood, was arrested on a warrant out of Colfax County, NE. No bond was set. And, 29-year-old Cierra Van Scyoc, of Glenwood,was arrested on a Mills County warrant. She posted bond, and was released.

On Saturday, 43-year-old Barbara Riley, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Barred. She posted bond, and was released.

And, the Glenwood Resource Center reported to police on Dec. 28th, an incident of vandalism.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), held their annual organizational meeting, in Greenfield. The Board re-elected Jerry Walker as Chair, and Nathan Baier as Vice-Chair.

In other business, the Board approved the appointments of Supervisors to various/numerous commissions, and Board Alternates. They also approved the appointments of: an ADA Coordinator; Condemnation Board Member(s); Conservation Board Member(s); Medical Examiner and Deputy Medical Examiners; an RC&D Committee Member, and Nathan Jensen as Weed Commissioner.

The Adair County Supervisors approved several matters pertaining to the County Engineer and Secondary Roads Department, including compensation for fences as follows: $55 for rods and $85 for posts. They passed a Bridge Ratings Resolution and Right-of-Way Contracts.

County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented also, his weekly report on Secondary Roads Department Maintenance and Activities.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday) re-elected Steve Baier as “Permanent Chair,” and Mark O’Brien as “permanent Vice-Chair.”  And, voted to approve a motion by O’Brien, to change the dates of their regular meetings to bi-weekly (the first and third Tuesday of each month).

The schedule is subject to the discretion of the Board Chair and County Auditor Kathy Somers, and as needed. Previously, the Board held their meetings every Tuesday of the month. Somers said she doesn’t see a problem with changing the meeting schedule.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors approved the Atlantic News Telegraph, Anita Tribune and Griswold American, as the Official County Newspapers for publishing County meeting agenda, minutes and other business.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors held their 2024 Organizational meeting this (Tuesday) morning, followed by their regular Tuesday session. During the organizational meeting, the Board elected to retain Mike Olson as Board Chair, and Charla Schmid as Vice-Chair. They also decided to continue holding their meetings every Tuesday at 8:30-a.m.  In other action, they designated the Red Oak Express as the Official County Newspaper. The Board opted not to include the Villisca Review as a secondary source for publication of County business. The Supervisors set the 2024 County Employee’s Holiday Schedule, and named Supervisors to serve on numerous committees.

During regular business following the reorganization, the board unanimously approved a new resolution for this year regarding bridge embargoes per Iowa Code. Chair Mike Olson said the move comes primarily to allow for enforcement of the weight limits on the county bridges put in place by the county engineer. Every bridge in Montgomery County is legally embargoed whether it’s 40 tons or below.  Per Iowa law, the embargoed bridge restrictions apply to any implements pulled by farm equipment such as grain carts and wagons, semi-trailers, and manure tanks. The limitations will remain in place until a county engineer certifies that said limitations have been resolved.