BONDURANT, Iowa — [KCCI] A juvenile died and another was injured, as the result of an off-road motorcycle accident Saturday evening, in rural Polk County. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received a call just before 6:30 p.m. reporting the accident near Northeast 118th Avenue west of the South Skunk River.

Authorities say two juveniles were riding off-road motorcycles when the accident happened. When emergency responders got there, they said they found a juvenile male with critical injuries. “Emergency personnel who arrived on the scene immediately began life-saving treatment but were unsuccessful and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene,” according to a news release.

Authorities have not yet named the person who died.

(Radio Iowa) – Lawmakers sent the governor a bill to cut Iowans’ income taxes by a BILLION dollars next year, they set up the framework for a nearly nine BILLION dollar state budget and then concluded the 2024 legislative session this weekend.

The session officially ended at 4:23 a.m. Saturday. A bill to establish a single income tax rate of three-point-eight percent next year was approved during that final, 20-hour-long day. Governor Kim Reynolds suggested something similar, but slightly lower in January. This weekend Reynolds said she was proud tax cuts are being reduced and accelerated beyond the plan passed in 2022. Lawmakers this year approved another Reynolds priority — mandating that the salary for first year teachers be at least 50-thousand dollars.

Senate President Amy Sinclair of Allerton says those are standout accomplishments of the 2024 legislative session. “We passed bills this year that will put Iowa’s income tax rate at the sixth lowest in the nation and Iowa’s starting teacher pay at the fifth highest, not even accounting for cost of living,” Sinclair said. “And we all know that Iowa is a very cost effective place to live.”

In January, Governor Kim Reynolds also asked legislators to overhaul the state’s nine Area Education Agencies and she signed a reorganization plan last month. Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum of Dubuque says the changes centralize power in Des Moines. “Iowans will remember how Republicans chose to serve their governor rather than their constituents,” Jochum said. “They slashed our Area Education Agencies and put special interests over Iowa’s children.” House Democratic

Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says kids with special needs are going to suffer.”I want to talk about moms who are trying to figure out how they’re going to get the occupational or mental health therapy they need,” Konfrst said, “and we’re just getting started. Imagine what will happen next year.” House Speaker Pat Grassley says House Republicans put a lot of work in to make changes in the governor’s original plan to protect the A-E-A’s special education services, while letting schools choose how to use the rest of the money that had been going directly to the A-E-As for other services.

“Schools are excited to have some opportunities to have some flexibility with some of those funds,” Grassley said. “…The bill we were able to put together I think will continue to deliver on those special ed services.” In the closing moments of the 2024 legislative session, Republicans voted to reassign Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agents to work on cases related to the law Governor Reynolds signed to have Iowa’s legal system arrest and deport immigrants who are in Iowa illegally. Republican Representative Taylor Collins of Mediapolis says two million dollars is in the budget for up to a dozen Division of Criminal Investigation agents to support the effort.

“To address the rise in illegal immigration and related criminal conduct or as assigned by the commission of the Department of Public Safety,” Collins said.

Early Saturday, the House voted to prohibit state regulators from granting new casino licenses until 2029, but the Senate adjourned without taking up the measure. It means Cedar Rapids is likely to seek a casino license when the current moratorium expires July 1st.

(Radio Iowa) – The four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U-S House have voted to send 95 BILLION dollars of emergency assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. In written statements, Congressman Randy Feensta said while some want us to turn our backs on an ally like Israel, he will not and Congressman Zach Nunn said America must be unwavering in its support of Israel.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion said in her written statement that President Biden’s foreign policy has shown weakness to our adversaries and the package would keep America out of conflict.

In a video statement after Saturday’s votes, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks said supporting our allies against dictators and communist governments is completely necessary.

(Radio Iowa) – Early Saturday morning, the Iowa House overwhelmingly voted to extend a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa until 2029, but the Iowa Senate adjourned for the year without voting on the measure. The current moratorium will expire July 1st. Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the proposed rules would have effectively blocked Cedar Rapids from getting a casino license.

“It’s not the right or the prerogative of the legislature to deny the second largest city in our state and its voters, citizens the right to have a casino operation,” Scheetz said. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says lawmakers, not state gambling regulators, should set the policy. “I think it fits in perfectly with our role,” Kaufmann says. “I think this fits in perfectly with making sure the Racing and Gaming Commission can do their job.”

Kaufmann says the commission has vague rules for considering casino license applications.