(Radio Iowa) — The three members of a state forecasting board agree state tax receipts will grow, but not by much in the next 18 months. Holly Lyons of the Legislative Services Agency, a member of the State Revenue Estimating Conference, said “In the eight weeks since we met last, little has changed economically. The underlying fundamentals of the national and state economy remain sound. The economy continues to be in mid-expansion, with nothing on the immediate horizon that suggests a serious downturn or recession.”

The group predicts tax payments to the State of Iowa will remain steady, growing by about one-point-eight percent in the next state budgeting year. Legislators will use that estimate as the basis for building a spending plan for the state budget year that begins July 1st. Department of Management director Dave Roederer is another member of the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference. “We are at least reading the tea leaves all the same,” Roederer says, “whether they’re all right or all wrong, but we’re at least seeing the economy the same way.” Many state agencies have presented Governor Reynolds with “status quo” budget plans. Roederer suggests there won’t be a lot of extra money to spend next year. “We believe there will be enough funding to do the essentials of what government is supposed to do,” Roederer says.

Unlike the past two years, Roederer does NOT anticipate mid-year budget cuts in the remaining months of the current state fiscal year. State tax revenue is projected to grow nearly five percent in THIS budgeting year. David Underwood, a businessman from Clear Lake, is the third member of the state Revenue Estimating Conference. He says “headline fears” are causing people to “under appreciate” great corporate earnings reports.”I believe our most prudent course of action is to remain patient and disciplined in what we do as well as conservative, watchful for the signs of the recession that will come,” Underwood said, pausing before adding the last word, “someday.”

Underwood and the other two members of the Revenue Estimating Conference all cited concern about the ag economy, particularly commodity prices that have slumped during recent trade disputes.

(Radio Iowa) — President Donald Trump has been going back and forth with Democratic leaders about including money in the budget to build a wall to stop illegal immigration — and says he would be proud to shut down the government to get it. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, says she doesn’t want to see that happen. “Well, I disagree. I would not be proud to shut down the government. I think we all in Congress strive to not shut down the government. I think that would be detrimental to our federal agencies and the various activities that they support,” Ernst says.

Ernst is a Republican from Red Oak and says while it doesn’t appear either side wants to back down, she is hopeful. “I am always an optimist and I hope that we can find a way forward working between the House and the Senate to find a plan that will work — that will work for Republicans and Democrats,” Ernst says. “I do think we need to secure our border, I do support the president in those efforts.”  Ernst says it will not be easy to get done. She says it will take some time and they will push through and hopefully will not see a government shutdown.

Ernst made her comments during a conference call with reporters

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests. At around 12:45-a.m. Thursday, Adams County Deputies observed a vehicle stuck in a field near the intersection of Highway 25 and 250th Street. Upon further investigation, Amanda Blakley-Luddington, of Indianola, was placed under arrest for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense. At around 11:15-p.m. Thursday, Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Highway 34 and Redwood Avenue. During the course of the traffic stop, K9 “Baxo” was deployed and alerted to the odor of narcotics. Upon further investigation, Abraham Schweers, of Lenox, was placed under arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense (methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A woman from Council Bluffs was arrested on an Attempted Murder charge Thursday evening, following a report of shots fired at 2833 Avenue A, at around 6:10-p.m. 38-year old Jessica Ann Elvins was taken into custody for the incident that resulted in her victim, 56-year old Tammy L. Smart, also of Council Bluffs, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Smart was transported to the UNMC in Omaha, where she was able to identify Elvins as the suspect, before she was placed on life supports for having a bullet to her brain.

Attempted Murder suspect Jessica Ann Elvins

At the residence, officers located and detained Elvins, who was inside an upstairs bedroom of the home. She was taken to the detective bureau for questioning. Three persons, who were also inside the home were interviewed by detectives and released. After all the statements were taken, Elvins was placed under arrest for Attempted Murder and booked into Pottawattamie County Corrections.