(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will consolidate 37 state agencies into just 16 departments and eliminate dozens of unfilled positions in state government.  “Not only will Iowans receive better service with alignment, they’ll get it at a lower cost,” Reynolds said. The governor paid a consultant nearly a million dollars to draft the reorganization plan.

“Iowa had significantly more cabinet departments than neighboring states and best practices, services were spread unpredictably across state government, really causing just unnecessary friction for Iowans,” Reynolds says. “What we also saw was just fractured organizational structure that was preventing capable, hardworking public servants from really reaching their full potential.”

The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency projects the plan will eliminate about 200 full time positions in state government that aren’t filled today and save about 12-and-a-half million dollars a year. The governor’s staff estimates the state will save about 215 million dollars over four years. Reynolds says efficiency is the main goal, making state government agencies, programs and licensing easier to navigate.

“If we save anything and streamline services and have a single mom or single dad trying to get services not have to go through 14 different doors to try to get an answer, then that’s a win for me,” Reynolds told reporters. The governor expects most if not all the changes to be in place when the next state fiscal year begins July 1st.

“I’m not saying there won’t be bumps. I mean this is a huge undertaking, but we’re going to do it right,” Reynolds says. “…If we need to slow down any of the alignments…we’ll do that.” The 16 state agency directors and Republican lawmakers gathered in the governor’s office at the statehouse for the bill signing ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.

Democratic leaders in the House and Senate say the plan dilutes the legislature’s authority and is a “power grab” by the governor. And House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the bill was authored by out of state consultants without real input from Iowans.

(Radio Iowa) – A new report says northwest Iowa’s Sioux County is the healthiest county in the state, while Montgomery County, in the southwest, ranks last. The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps report rates counties’ health outcomes nationwide based on a range of factors. Michael Stevenson, with the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute — which produces the report, says Iowa’s top-ranked counties all have the same things in common.

Stevenson says, “They often have access to good civic infrastructure, so higher access to broadband, better access to parks and rec facilities, and they also tend to have higher rates of civic participation, so things like voter turnout.” Stevenson says Iowa’s overall voter turnout is higher than the national average, but there’s a lot of variation in rates at the county level.

“Iowa voter turnout varied from 60.8% to 90.2%, depending on where you live,” he says, “and our data showed that there’s a strong connection between that turnout data and the infrastructure that we have in place to facilitate participation.”

The report lists Iowa’s top five healthiest counties as: Sioux, Winneshiek, Dallas, Mitchell and Hancock, while the bottom-ranked five are: Pottawattamie, Lee, Clarke, Appanoose and last, Montgomery.

countyhealthrankings.org

(reporting by Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – Members of the public have debated a proposal to require more frequent income checks and a new asset test for Iowans receiving food stamps or health care coverage through Medicaid. Andres Reyes, the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church, spoke in favor of the bill during a public hearing at the Iowa Capitol.

“I believe that all people are made in the image of God and so all people have value, but that value is only realized by working for what they have,” Reyes said. “One of the greatest problems in America today is depression. The number one reason is because people do not work as hard as other generations. The only way to cure the problem is to hold others accountable for working for what they have. This bill does just that.”

Valerie Petersen, associate executive director of the Foodbank of Siouxland in Sioux City, said these changes will push vulnerable Iowans farther into poverty. “These are grandparents that are now choosing between medication and food. They’re hardworking laborers that are laid off during the winter. They’re single moms that work multiple jobs and then have to make the choice between feeding themselves and their children,” she said. “They’re kids that have no say in or ability to contribute to their family’s finances.”

Darla Chappell of St. Donatus — a small town near the Illinois border, said she used to work in a bank and saw people getting government assistance from more than one state. “Please vote yes on this bill to ensure our money goes where needed and not into the pockets of liars, cheaters and frauds,” she said.

Carlyn Crowe of the Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council said many Iowans with disabilities will lose Medicaid coverage because of the asset test for the entire household. “Should parents of a daughter who can’t walk have to sell their second car so their daughter can get a wheelchair or her sibling’s savings account be limited because she’s on Medicaid?” Crowe asked.

The bill passed the Senate two weeks ago with the support of all 34 Republicans and opposition from all 16 Democrats. It cleared a House Committee last week and is eligible for debate in the full House.

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) today (Tuesday) announced she will host a Town Hall Meeting in Adair County. Senator Ernst looks forward to hearing from constituents in the area about the issues most important to them. The Town Hall Meeting is open to the public. Details:

Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Adair County Town Hall Meeting
7:45 AM
Warren Cultural Center
154 Public Square
Greenfield, IA 50849

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety has announced the graduation of the 46th Basic Academy took place on Friday, March 31, 2023, at the Holiday Inn Airport Conference Center in Des Moines. The ceremony recognized a graduating class of 18 recruits who previously served as certified officers in law enforcement agencies across Iowa before entering the Academy on January 20, 2022. Lieutenant Matthew Struecker served as Camp Commander.

Conducted at Camp Dodge, the 10-week Academy training focused on completing law enforcement coursework on laws of arrest, search and seizure, defensive tactics, arrest techniques, precision driving, firearms, emergency management services, fair and impartial policing, criminal law, accident investigation, human relations, physical fitness, human trafficking, motor vehicle law, domestic violence, crisis intervention for mentally ill and several other courses in law enforcement.

48th DPS Certified Academy Graduating Class

The 48th Certified Academy graduates are assigned the following badge numbers, and will serve Iowans in their respective districts. In southwest Iowa, that includes:

• Lucas Darby #107- District 2
• Austin Little #263 – District 2
• Christopher Raymer #407 – District 13
• Jacob Riley #429 – District 13

(Click on the photos to enlarge)

Recruits who received special recognition for their performance include:

•    Lance Dietsch-Stanley Gerling Valedictorian Award: Cameron Theilen
•    Top Gun Award: Jacob Riley
•    Sergeant Jim Smith Meritorious Peer Leadership Award: Jesse Drahos
•    Distinguished Graduate Award: Lucas Darby
•    Earnest Baty, Jr. Physical Fitness Award: Nicholas Popp, Thomas Allen, Cameron Theilen

“We are extremely proud of these graduates and grateful to them for choosing to answer the call with the State of Iowa,” said Stephan K. Bayens, Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. “At this point in history, I believe it is the most important time to be a law enforcement officer. There’s divisiveness, brokenness, and crime is on the rise. I cannot think of a more significant time for men and women to step up and bridge that gap, and I thank them for it,” Bayens added.

To view photos from the event, click here to visit the 48th Certified Academy Photo Album.