A bill that would increase the state sales tax by a fraction — to raise money for water quality projects — has cleared its first hurdle in the Iowa Senate, but it faces strong opposition that’s likely to sink the proposal. Senator David Johnson, a Republican from Ocheyedan, has become a champion of the tax hike, to fill a state fund Iowa voters created in 2010 for water quality initiatives.

“What is this General Assembly going to be remembered for?” Johnson asks. “…We can do this and it is the best plan.” Johnson and about two dozen other people spoke in favor of the plan during a statehouse hearing Thursday afternoon. Mark Ackelson, a former president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, says water quality problems are “urgent” and it’s time for legislators to act.

“Water quality’s important, but it’s much more than water quality and people need to understand this,” he says. “This is about investing in our future. It’s investing in our grandkids. It’s about investing in our quality of life. It’s about investing in economic development.” Two state senators signed off on the proposed tax hike Thursday. That makes the bill eligible for debate in a senate committee. Earlier this week House REPUBLICANS advanced their own plan. They want to shift state taxes being used for other purposes toward water quality projects. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal says it does not appear ANY plan has enough support in the senate.

“I would say there’s a lot of ships passing in the night and lots of and no consensus developing on a funding mechanism,” Gronstal says. Representative Tom Sands, a Republican from Wapello, chairs the HOUSE Ways and Means Committee. He says a “straight up” tax increase cannot pass the Republican-led House.

“This idea of just going to Iowans and saying: ‘You need to pay more,’ I do not support,” Sands says. “But it very possibly with some changes could be more of a long-term going forward, just not this year.” Sands says that means CUTTING income taxes at the same time the sales tax is raised. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says it will be up to advocates of the tax increase to get lawmakers to embrace the plan.

“We can move mountains in the legislature, but it requires Iowans not to sit on their couch and just expect it to happen,” Petersen says, “but people need to get on their phones and they need to email and let people truly know how badly they want this.” Petersen supports the three-eighths percent increase in the state sales tax, with those extra taxes deposited in the “Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.” Sixty-three percent of Iowa voters approved creation of the fund in 2010, but there’s no money in it.

(Radio Iowa)

Two people from Atlantic were arrested on Assault charges today (Thursday). The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says 32-year old Laura Lynn Madden was arrested on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Later in the day, 39-year old Adrian Duane Hansen turned himself in on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for the same charge. Madden and Hansen were booked in at the Cass County Jail and subsequently released on $1,000 bond each.

Six people will look to get one more payout today (Thursday) as they leave the greyhound racing industry in Iowa. The legislature passed and the governor signed a bill that shuts down the Council Bluffs greyhound track and shifts the management of dog racing in Dubuque to the Iowa Greyhound Association.

Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission administrator, Brian Ohorillko says part of the agreement set aside money to pay those who are getting out of the industry. The commission will hear the first six “hardship” claims filed for that money at their meeting in Council Bluffs. “The current rule allows for up to 100-thousand dollars per claim….what we have done is there is an application form for the applicants and they complete that and submit all the documentation or supporting documentation for their claim,” Ohorilko explains.

He says the commission will review a report on each claim and hear from those involved. “We have assigned an I-R-G-C staff member to review those claims, meet with the applicant, verify the information that is being submitted and just try to get a better understanding of each circumstance,” Ohorilko says. The I-R-G-C staff member will make a recommendation to the commission, and then the commissioners can decided what action they should take.

“It’s up to the commission and the commission will hear from each of the applicants,” Ohorilko says. The dog tracks in Dubuque and Council Bluffs agreed to make annual payments to a fund for seven years and amounting to around 72 million dollars to get out of greyhound racing. Ohorilko says the hardship payments are one part of the whole process.

“There is money that’s already been distributed to no-kill animal shelters that have received greyhounds from the cessation of racing,” Ohorilko explains. “There was money that was allocated to trainers and assistant trainers who are no longer in the business. There was some money allocated to trainers with the removal of equipment and other items.” Ohorilko expects the commission to receive more requests for hardship payments, and says they’ll know more about how the process works after today’s meeting.

“This is the first time that we’r dealing with these harship claims and if turns out that there are some other questions that need to be vetted ahead of time — or maybe a different process that works better — we have that flexibility and can make those adjustments as we move forward,” Ohorilko says. Those seeking a hardship payment for the end of greyhound racing have until June 30th to file a claim.

(Radio Iowa)

An ongoing investigation in Page County into an alleged assault, has resulted in an arrest. Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports 59-year old William Eddie Fidler, of rural Clarinda, was arrested for Assault at around 5-p.m. Wednesday. Fidler posted $300 bond and was released pending further court proceedings.

His arrest stemmed from and investigation about persons not stopping at a stop sign in the un-incorporated village of Hawleyville.  Hawleyville is north and east of Clarinda in Page County. During the investigation, it was determined that Fidler confronted and allegedly assaulted a person whom Fidler claimed had committed a traffic violation.  The investigation continues into persons allegedly committing traffic violations at a stop sign in Hawleyville.

Palmer said also, that at around 4-p.m., Wednesday, 27-year old Joseph Cody Foster,  of New Market, turned himself into the Page County Sheriff’s Office on a Page County warrant for Assault.  Foster posted a $300 bond and was released pending further court proceedings.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a southwest Iowa man was arrested Tuesday night on a warrant issued out of North Carolina. 45-year old David Laneir Morgan, of Red Oak, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 34, for being a Fugitive from Justice. Morgan was being held in the Mills County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Officials said also, an Omaha man, 50-year old Michael Anthony Weltch, was arrested at around 4-a.m. today (Thursday), for Theft in the 5th Degree, Providing False Identification information, and Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $900.

Two people were arrested Wednesday, in Mills County: 41-year old John Allen Ahrens, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000. And, 49-year old Carl David Galvan, Jr., of Glenwood, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. His bond was set at $300.