(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed the bill that flattens Iowa’s personal income tax rate to 3.9% by 2026. “Today is a great day for the State of Iowa as we dramatically reform our tax system for the better,” she said, “and make our state one of the most competitive in the nation.” Reynolds signed the bill early this afternoon. The new law exempts all retirement income from state taxes. It also provides new tax breaks for retired farmers and for people who retire from employee-owned companies. “There’s never been a better time in Iowa for bold, sustainable tax reform and that’s exactly what today’s bill represents,” she said.

If certain revenue targets are met, the plan could lower the corporate income tax rate by more than 40%. Reynolds has been governor since May of 2017. This is the third time she’s signed a bill designed to cut taxes, including last year’s bill that eliminated the state inheritance tax and sped up a series of tax cuts Reynolds approved in 2018.

“We’ve accomplished what we have on tax reform in recent years by approaching the issue with purpose and patience, taking ever opportunity to make transformative change, while also understanding a strong tax code takes sustained, persistent work over years,” Reynolds said, “and that approach isn’t changing anytime soon.” House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, spoke after Reynolds and picked up on that theme. “We look forward to, after we’re all reelected, to doing this again moving forward,” Grassley said.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, a Republican from Ankeny, said Republicans promised they’d pursue this path if voters gave the GOP majority control of the Senate, alongside the Republican governor and Republican-led House. “Six years ago we laid out a vision for Iowa and — more specifically — a vision for tax reform in Iowa, a vision where Iowa is a state that encourages work and encourages investment, a vision where retirees stay in Iowa to be close to their kids and grandkids, a vision of a tax code that is simple, flat and fair to taxpayers,” Whitver said. “House File 2317 brings that vision to life.”

Dozens of Republican legislators joined Reynolds for the bill signing ceremony. Reynolds thanked Whitver and Grassley “for your partnership” as she handed them pens she’d used to sign her name on the official copy of the legislation. Tonight, Governor Reynolds will deliver the GOP response to President Biden’s State of the Union address.

Democrats in the legislature say the tax plan gets rid of Iowa’s progressive tax system and provides a tax break to the wealthiest Iowans that will be 100 times greater than what middle income Iowans will get. “This is a tax bill that’s going to overwhelmingly benefit the ultrarich and big corporations,” Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls of Coralville said during a news conference this afternoon. “…It’s wrong and it’s our view that it shouldn’t have happened.” House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, a Democrat from Windsor Heights, said Reynolds is governing to raise her national profile, not to do what’s best for Iowans.

“Part of my problem with this tax bill is the fact that it was rushed through the process specifically so she could talk about the tax bill tonight. That’s now how we make policy,” Konfrst said. “We make policy through deliberation, through negotiation and through honest debate.” Konfrst told reporters Reynolds will “probably forget to thank President Biden” for the federal pandemic relief money the state is using to support child care centers, build out the state’s broadband network and improve water quality.

The leading Democratic candidate for governor said Reynolds should be paying attention to challenges the state is facing, like a lack of child care, affordable housing and a workforce shortage. “Our current governor is focused on a national, political agenda that we all know by now does no good for Iowa and does no good for the rest of this country,” DeJear said during a news conference today.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who are watching the events unfold in Ukraine and who want to help those in harm’s way need look no further than the Salvation Army. That international aid organization is in Ukraine serving people in need. Spokesman Dan Furry says the agency has operation centers throughout Ukraine including one in the capital city of Kyiv. “They’re busy handing out food. They’re busy handing out toiletries and clothing,” Furry says, “and they’re providing spiritual and emotional care for those that need it.”

Furry says the best way for Iowans to get help to Ukraine is through a monetary donation. “People ask, ‘Can I donate food? Can I donate clothing?’ and sadly that’s not realistic,” he says, “because the cost, the time, and the likelihood it may never reach the intended group is very, very possible.” Furry says the organization has set up an online link for those wanting to make a donation — and it’s salvation-army-u-s-a-dot-org.

“That is a specific donation page for funds to go directly to our operations in Ukraine,” Furry says, “to help people who are affected by the military operations there.” According to the website, “The Salvation Army has a long-standing presence in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Because we are already part of the communities in which we serve, we are on the ground and ready to respond and serve immediately in times of need such as this.”

(Radio Iowa) – For Iowans who love building snowmen, going snow skiing or sledding, it’s been a lackluster winter as we’ve been lacking in snowfall. State climatologist Justin Glisan says had snow during February, just not very much of it.  “Generally, if we look at western Iowa, that was the driest part of the state and anywhere from eight to ten inches below average,” Glisan says. “As we move further east into central and north-central Iowa, anywhere from four to eight inches below average.”

Only the far southeastern tip of the state was above average for snowfall during February. As for temperatures, Glisan says Iowa had a statewide average of 21-degrees in February, which is three degrees colder than normal. While we’ve been enjoying unseasonably warm weather in recent days, Glisan says not to be fooled as there’s still much colder weather ahead in March.

“We do see a signal for below-average temperatures but also an elevated probability of wetter conditions across the state,” Glisan says. “That would be great as we start ramp up the amount of rainfall that we get into the growing season given the drought conditions that we do see across the state.” (You can read February’s weather data for Atlantic on the Weather page at kjan.com)

The climatological winter ended Monday, while astronomical spring arrives on March 20th.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place over the past couple of days. Two people were taken into custody at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on Monday: 37-year-old Brandon Heath Smith, and 37-year-old Jessica Dawn Whetsel, both of Glenwood, were arrested on warrants for Possession of a controlled substance, and Accessory after the fact. Smith’s bond was set at $7,000. Bond for  Whetsel was set at $4,000.

Three people were arrested on separate charges this (Tuesday) morning:

• 45-year-old Michael Lee LaFollette, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 2:05-a.m., for Poss. of a Controlled Substance.
• 36-year-old Kristin Ann Miller, of Council Bluffs, was arrested a little after 12-a.m., for OWI/1st offense.
• and 60-year-old Luis Joel Mendez, of Missouri Valley, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension, following an non-injury accident on I-29 at around 3:34-a.m.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Harlan Police Department reports four arrests over the past week or so. On Monday (2/28), 42-year-old Matthew Wayne Tamms, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. Last Sunday (2/27), 31-year-old Chance Wayne Lucas, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. He was charged with Driving while revoked, public intoxication, no proof of insurance and open container.

On the 24th, 42-year-old Matthew Wayne Tamms, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. He was charged with Interference with Official Acts, Failure to carry a registration cards, a registration violation, and for having dark windows.

And, on Feb. 18th, 32-year-old Benjamin Allen Sommer, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department are getting ready for the summer already. Parks Director Bryant Rasmussen says “For anyone interested we have signups for our Summer Swim Team and Youth Summer Tennis.”

Persons interested may sign-up online, or fill-out a paper form in-person, at the Parks & Rec Dept. (1200 Sunnyside Lane).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Republican Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall, Tuesday, announced she’s running for re-election to her sixth-term in office. Marshall is currently finishing her fifth term as County Treasurer. She says she has always believed in being involved and has immersed herself in the workings of the county Treasurer’s office.

According to her press release, Tracey Marshall has received the Chancellor’s Certificate in Public Administration: Government Finance Professional from the University of Missouri, St. Louis. In 2018/2019 she was the President of the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers, and Finance Officers. She is now the current vice president of the Iowa State County Treasurer’s Association (ISCTA) where she is currently working on legislation. She is a member of ISAC, ISCTA, NACCTFO, and NACo.

Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall.

Over the past nineteen years, Marshall says she “Has seen many changes local and federal in motor vehicle, driver’s license, and the tax departments, including the ability to pay taxes, registrations, and driver license online. The past five years,” she said, “we have been working on a major project to get all the Motor Vehicle records scanned. These records are dated back to 1950’s. There is ongoing training for the office staff to ensure the best possible service to the citizens of Cass County.”

Marshall thanks everyone who has supported her in the past and asks for your continued support in the upcoming election.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management officials today (Tuesday), issued a reminder to county residents, that “An open burning ban is in place and continues for all of Pottawattamie County. The ban went into effect February 8, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawattamie County, including all incorporated
city limits within the county.” The ban will remain in place until environmental conditions improve.

Yesterday, February 28th, 6 different fires occurred that utilized 12 of our 15 fire departments, units from Pottawattamie County Conservation and the Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Department due to residents failing to observe the burn ban. There were two additional fires out of county that departments also assisted with.

The burn ban is put in place to save lives and property. Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to citation or arrest for reckless use of fire or disobeying a burn ban. There were 4
citations issued yesterday. Emergency Management Specialist Michell Bose says “We understand that the weather has turned nice and land owners have fuels to burn, but with how dry our county is at this time, fires can become out of control quickly, resulting in catastrophic damage.”

As a reminder to citizens during these dry conditions, do not throw cigarettes out from moving vehicles and discontinue burning trash, yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground
and set-asides or other items during the ban. For updated information on burn bans and the law you can find further information on the Pott. County Facebook, and Twitter pages.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is calling for Russia to be expelled from the United Nations Security Council after the country used its permanent position on the body, and its current role as chair of the council, to block a resolution demanding Moscow halt its horrific and unprovoked invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine and withdraw their military. China abstained from the vote.

“The world saw a charade at the U.N. last week as Vladimir Putin—a dictator and thug who is actively and ruthlessly invading a sovereign nation—blocked the Security Council’s resolution to condemn the unprovoked atrocity happening against the people of Ukraine right now,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “Putin has demonstrated in plain view his ruthlessness and complete disregard for humanity and our international norms, and the idea that he and his cronies should have a vote on the U.N.’s Security Council is an absolute disgrace. Russia should be expelled from the Security Council immediately.”

Ernst is joining Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), along with by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.), on a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the U.N. should take immediate action to amend Article 23 of their charter to remove the Russian Federation as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.