(Radio Iowa) – A state panel has made a slight reduction, but still predicts the state will collect over 11 BILLION in taxes during the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Legislators will use today’s (Friday’s) Revenue Estimating Conference report as the basis for state spending plans and it will be cited by Republicans drafting more state tax cuts. Iowa Department of Management director Kraig Paulsen, the governor’s budget chief, is chairman of the panel.

A new member joined the tax predicting panel for today’s (Friday’s) meeting. Jeff Plagge (PLAG-ee), a northwest Iowa banker, retired at end of 2023 after serving as the State Superintendent of Banking.

House Democrats say it’s time to make public schools a priority and today’s (Friday’s) financial report shows there is no reason for Republicans to keep delaying a decision on how much the state will spend on schools.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – March 15, 2024 – If you drive on Iowa 333 near Hamburg you need to be aware of an upcoming road closure that could impact your trip.

Beginning on Monday, April 1, weather permitting, crews will close the roadway from the BNSF Railroad to 0.6 miles east of Interstate 29 so grading and paving work can be done, according to the Council Bluffs construction office. This work will aid in flood protection and raise the grade of Iowa 333 as pavement is replaced. While Iowa 333 is closed you will follow a marked detour route using I-29, Iowa 2, U.S. 275, and Iowa 333.

Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who have too much Saint Patrick’s Day cheer can get a safe ride home tonight (Friday) through Monday morning. Triple-A-Iowa spokesman Brian Ortner says the motor club is offering its free, statewide Tow to Go service for members and non-members across Iowa this weekend.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau says during March of last year, there were 26 traffic fatalities on Iowa’s roads and almost 40-percent of those happened the week of Saint Patrick’s Day. Ortner says this service provides an alternative to anyone who may have imbibed too much.

In its 26 years, he says Tow to Go has taken more than 30-thousand impaired drivers safely home. The number to call is 1-855-TOW-2-GO.

Atlantic, Iowa — The Atlantic Public Library was selected as one of 310 libraries to participate in round two of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library develop ways to better serve adults and teens with developmental disabilities.

Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen says “We are so proud to be chosen again for this amazing opportunity. Last year we received $20,000 towards modernizing the elevator but, with this second round of funding, I wanted to focus on how we can better serve individuals living with disabilities. We are blessed to have so many resources in town like REM and Trivium Life Services, but the library doesn’t have the best tools to serve their clients.”

As part of the grant, Andersen will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. She will then host a conversation with residents about ways to better serve developmentally disabled teens and adults and use the grant funds to provide new resources or programs. Michelle Andersen says “One idea is to begin an affiliation with Next Chapter Book Club. I would also like to research building a collection of high-low books for adults, books with an easy reading level yet are written to appeal to adults and not children. Some other potential services could include providing sensory experiences at the library or in a kit to checkout, installing a communication board for nonverbal people, or offering adaptive computer equipment. The beauty of this grant is that it allows us to make those specific project choices after holding the community conversation.”

The Atlantic Public Library

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Andersen at the library by e-mailing atlanticpubliclibrary@gmail.com or calling 712-243-5466.

Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.

The Atlantic Public Library connects the community to information, resources, and each other in order to spark ideas and new connections.

(Radio Iowa) – With one month to go before the federal tax filing deadline the I-R-S is offering a day Saturday where you can visit the Des Moines office to get tax questions answered. I-R-S spokesman Christopher Miller says it’s a chance to speak with someone in person. “Normally at the Des Moines Taxpayer Assistance Center, the office is only open during the weekend by appointment. So this Saturday event is a chance for people that maybe work during the week and can’t get away the opportunity to sit down with someone without an appointment and talk about their tax account.” he says. Miller says there’s a variety of issues that can be addressed.

“They may want information about a refund, they may want a copy of their tax transcript, or perhaps they got a letter or a notice from the I-R-S and they need some guidance on what to do next,” Miller says. “We also expect to see people who need to verify their identity with the Internal Revenue Service.” Miller says you should bring in any pertinent documents.”You may want to bring in a copy of last year’s tax return or any tax return that is in question. Bring in a copy of the letter or notice you receive from the I-R-S. You should also bring along a copy of your identification. Bring two copies of identification if you’re verifying your I-D,” Miller says. He says there is one thing they can’t do.

“The I-R-S Taxpayer Assistance Center does not prepare tax returns. We will offer people information if they haven’t done their taxes yet on where they can get help within the community at volunteer sites that prepare taxes for free,” Miller says.

The Taxpayer Assistance Center in downtown Des Moines on Walnut Street will be open from nine to four this Saturday to answer questions.