(Radio Iowa) – The 2023 Iowa Legislature begins later this (Monday) morning, with the G-O-P in firm control of the agenda since Republicans occupy 65 percent of the seats in the Iowa House and Senate. Republicans have what’s called a super majority in the Senate. With 34 of the 50 votes, Democrats will be unable to block Republican Governor Kim Reynolds’ nominees for appointed positions in state government. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says it’s been a remarkable turn around for Senate Republicans.

“We were at 18 back in 2010, and then you go to 24 and then you go to 29 and then you go to 32 and now you’re at 34 and that really just builds momentum for the direction we’re taking the state,” Whitver says. In the House, Republicans hold 64 of the 100 seats. House Speaker Pat Grassley says each of Iowa’s 99 counties is now represented by at least one House Republican.

“That 99 of 99 was important to us because we knew that if we hit that, we would grow the majority, but more importantly I think it honestly puts us in a position to say: ‘We represent the entire state,'” Grassley says. “…I think that gives us an exciting opportunity.” Representative Brent Siegrist of Council Bluffs was House Majority Leader in the mid-1990s when the House G-O-P held the same number of seats. He warns there’s no guarantee every bill Republicans try to advance will have 64 “yes” votes.

“It is difficult to manage. When you have 64 you have different groups within your caucus that have a different idea than what the majority of the people in your caucus feel,” Siegrist says. “It’s apropos to say it’s like herding cats.” Democrat David Osterberg represented the Mount Vernon area in 1989 when Democrats held 61 seats in the House — and 60 percent of all seats in the legislature.

“You can do things that have never been done before,” Osterberg says. “However, remember Democrats had a big majority, but they didn’t have the governorship.” And Republican Governor Terry Branstad was a check on the Democrats in the legislature back then. Osterberg says with majority Republicans in the 2023 legislature sending bills to a Republican governor, expects some breathtaking moments. “Mischief happens when you have these kind of majorities,” Osterberg says. Siegrist says proposals that may be out of the mainstream have a better shot when one party has the trifecta in state government.

“You figure with 64, you can do whatever you want,” Siegrist says. Thirty-nine House members ad 14 state senators are starting their first terms. Siegrist says that’s more than a third of the legislature — and that’s a big challenge. “That’s not to say we won’t do a lot this year,” Siegrist says, “but it takes a while to get that many people used to the process and how everything works.” Republicans in the legislature say property tax reform is a top priority. Governor Reynolds says her top goal is ensuring every parent can choose where to send their child to school. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst  says she doubts Reynolds has the votes in the House to get that passed in 2023.

“Iowans don’t want to take public money and put it into private schools and I think there are some Republicans who also have some serious concerns…Will it make K-12 schools dry up in small towns?” Konfrst says, “so I think the book is not closed on that issue in any way, shape or form.” Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls says Democrats will shine a light on Republican efforts to enact new abortion restrictions.

“We’ll be ready to provide the transparency and accountability that their radical ideas require us to do,” Wahls says. The House and Senate are scheduled to convene at 10 o’clock. Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the annual “Condition of the State” message at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

(Radio Iowa) – The strike continues at Burlington’s Case I-H/New Holland plant. On Saturday, a majority of union workers at the plant in Burlington and one in Racine, Wisconsin, rejected the latest offer from the company. The proposed contract would have increased wages and lowered health insurance premium hikes, but U-A-W member Stacey Hathaway says the contract’s mandatory overtime requirements were a sticking point for many.

Hathaway did not disclose how he voted. The strike started in early May. This is the first time union members voted on a contract offer.

(Reporting by Zachary Oren Smith, Iowa Public Radio)

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak have arrested a man for Violating a Protection Order. 30-year-old Michael David Sinnott, of Red Oak, was arrested at the Montgomery County Jail, at around 1:50-p.m.  Sinnott was already being held in the jail on a Domestic Assault charge. His bond was set at $300 for the latest offense.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Session that begins at 9-a.m. Monday. During their meeting, which takes place in the Adair County Courthouse Courtroom, the Board will hear FY 2024 Budget requests at specified times, from the following department heads.

• 9:00-a.m. – Brenda Wallace, County Treasurer
• 9:15-a.m. – Leesa Lester, Southern Iowa Trolley
• 9:30-a.m. – Janelle Schneider, County Recorder
• 9:45-a.m. – Rich Wallace, Courthouse Maintenance.

Last Friday, the Board heard from Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, County Sheriff, with regard to a new hire; and FY 24 Funding Requests from:

• Jotham Arber, Environmental Health
• Kerry Aistrope, Ag Extension
• Stephanie Claussen, Adair County Home Care
• Adair County Library Association
• Terri Queck-Matzie, Adair County Tourism
• Adair County Veterans’ Affairs
• Karen Varley, Stacie Eshelman, and Cheryl Marks, Midwest Partnership and, the
• Adair County Fair Board.

No action will be taken on the requests at this time. The Board’s regular weekly meeting will be held 9-a.m. Wednesday.

In Montgomery County, the Board of Supervisors will meet at 9-a.m. in their Courthouse Meeting Room, to discuss the overall budget, including all departments, county expenses, revenues, levies subject to discussion, and set additional budget work sessions, if necessary. The regular Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s meeting is at 8:30-a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10th.

Budget discussions will take place during that meeting, as well, along with the setting of the date and time for a Public Hearing to review a subdivision plat for the Stanton Technology Park Subdivision, and action as necessary.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Guthrie County Extension & Outreach, in Guthrie Center,  is hosting a Taco Charcuterie Board class, bringing people together to learn about the Spend Smart Eat Smart website and create a delicious treat to take home.

The class takes place Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 5:30 pm at the Guthrie County Extension & Outreach meeting room. During this session you will learn about tools on the Spend Smart Eat Smart website and get to prepare various recipes, such as various salsa’s, bean dip, seasoning and more, for your taco board that come directly off the website.

Pre-registration is required to attend by February 2 by calling the Extension office at 641-747-2276. The cost to attend is $20 and that will cover all the materials, including the board.

For more information or to download the flyer for this year, go to https://www.extension.iastate.edu/guthrie/. If you have any questions about the event please feel free to reach out to Krista Downing at the Guthrie County ISU Extension office at 641-747-2276.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday, that 43-year-old Jeffrey Christopher Potter, of Elliott, was arrested at around 7:45-a.m., Saturday. Potter was arrested in Elliott, on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $2,000.

And, the Sheriff’s Office says for the third time in the past week, 54-year-old Richard James Linfor, of Red Oak, was arrested. He was taken into Saturday morning on two Page County Bench Warrants for Violation of Probation, on original charges of: Burglary/3rd Degree; Criminal Mischief/4th Degree; and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  During the arrest, Saturday, authorities say “Linfor thought it would be a good idea to take off running. After a two block foot pursuit, he was arrested in the 500 block of Grimes Street, in the creek bank.”

The Sheriff’s Department added, “He went to jail winded and tired.”  Linfor was charged with Interference with Official Acts, and was being held on a $4,300 bond.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Zach Nunn of Iowa’s Third Congressional District was officially sworn in as a member of the 118th Congress. Nunn released the following statement after being sworn in:

“While serving our country in battle, I committed to mission success – no matter the challenges. Working as a unified team, we ensured our objectives were accomplished and our nation secure.

“My promise to Iowans now that I’ve been sworn in as your Representative in Congress is the exact same: I’ll follow through and execute on tough requirements, no matter the opposition. Service must always come before self when protecting and defending our constitution, freedoms and country.”

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Department of Revenue officials, Friday night, said “With recent public concerns shared with the Iowa Department of Revenue following the official public comment period and effective date of the new rule (701—216.3) implementing the taxable service of commercial recreation, the Department is submitting an emergency rulemaking to rescind the new rule and replace it with the prior rule.

This will allow the Department to consider the newly-raised concerns and reevaluate changes to the rule. While this rulemaking takes place, taxpayers should not obtain new permits or collect tax while the rule change is pending. The Department will process refunds as needed to reflect this decision.”

(On the web at tax.iowa.gov)

DES MOINES — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, today (Friday), issued a proclamation to ease restrictions on transportation of heating and motor fuels.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through 11:59 p.m. on February 5, 2023. The proclamation suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code pertaining to hours of service for crews and drivers delivering propane, diesel, natural gas, and other fuels used for residential, agricultural, and commercial heating purposes.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Drennan Insurance on Thursday, January 5th to celebrate new ownership. Donnie Drennan entered the insurance business in 1982 and is now ready to slow down after a successful 40-year career. As of January 1st, Drennan Insurance has been sold to John & Nikki Bricker and Donnie plans to stay on board through 2023 to help with a smooth transition. Donnie expressed his gratitude for his clients and the business community of Atlantic.

When asked what he will miss about the job, Donnie shared that he will miss the day-to-day business relationships he has built over of the years.

Drennan Team Left to Right (Front Row): Arlene Drennan, Donnie Drennan, John Bricker, Nikki Bricker
Ambassadors Left to Right (Back Row): Lana Westphalen, Sue Liston, Dolly Bergmann, Rick Mercle, Alden Harriman, Dr.Keith Leonard, Beth Speiker, Elaine Otte, Bill Saluk, Bailey Smith, Rob Claussen, Anne Quist, Julie Waters, Kathie Hockenberry, Kelsey Beschorner

John Bricker and Donnie have built their relationship through the Pymosa Masonic Lodge. Through this friendship came an opportunity for mentorship. John came on board at Drennan Insurance in 2021 and has thoroughly enjoyed his time learning under Donnie. John looks forward to building relationships with the clients and being a part of the Atlantic business community. John plans to keep the company name and uphold the legacy of Donnie by being a community supporter.

Drennan Insurance is located at 104 E. 5th Street in Atlantic. For more information, contact John at 712-249-9292 or Donnie at 712-249-3253.