(Radio Iowa) – As gas prices surge, the Republican governors of Maryland, Virginia and Florida are supporting gas tax holidays. The State of Iowa’s gas tax is around 30 cents a gallon. House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican, says it’s unlikely the Iowa legislature would vote to temporarily suspend the STATE gas tax.

“The situation we see with the rising gas prices has nothing to do with any decision the legislature has or has not made,” Grassley says. Grassley says a temporary hiatus for the state gas tax would delay financing for projects to improve Iowa roads and bridges.  “I think to really attack the situation and the issue that we see with gas prices, the federal government’s going to have to take some level of action,” Grassley says.

The federal gas tax is 18-point-three cents per gallon and six Democratic governors are calling on congress to suspend it until the end of the year. In January, Florida’s Republican governor proposed suspending HIS state’s 25-cents-a-gallon gas tax for a full five months — using federal pandemic relief money to plug the hole in the state budget. The Florida legislature has just proposed a one-month suspension — in October, when fewer tourists are visiting Florida.

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans say a new report on state tax revenues aligns with their plans for state finances. Democrats say the report shows the state won’t be able to meet its financial obligations. The pace of state tax collections has surged this year, but once recently-approved tax cuts take effect July 1st, a state panel predicts total state tax revenue will decline by about two-tenths of a percent. The following year, the drop is estimated to be in the range of two-and-a-half percent.

That would be the first time in 12 years that state tax collections have declined. Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls say it shows the G-O-P’s tax policy will likely result in future state budget cuts for public schools, law enforcement agencies and Iowa’s health care system.

In January, Republican Governor Kim Reynolds said the state would have less to spend after the tax cuts kick in — and she’d prefer Iowans spend their money in businesses rather than on bureaucracies.

(Radio Iowa) – Regional air carrier SkyWest Airlines has announced they are planning to pull their commercial service out of three Iowa airports. SkyWest has provided the U.S. Department of Transportation with a 90-day notice of intent to discontinue service to 29 communities served by the Essential Air Service program, including the airports in Mason City, Fort Dodge, and Sioux City.

SkyWest in their notice cites the ongoing pilot staffing shortages as the reason for ending service. SkyWest last month announced they planned to reduce the number of weekly flights from Mason City to Chicago and from Fort Dodge to Chicago from 12 to 10 because of staffing issues.

SkyWest plane in Mason City. (KRIB file photo)

SkyWest had recently suspended one of its three daily flights from Sioux Gateway Airport to Denver, and Sioux City officials last month announced they were extending their service agreement with the air carrier.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — March 10, 2022 – To begin the next phase of interstate reconstruction in Council Bluffs, southbound Interstate 29 at 9th Avenue is expected to be closed to traffic on Tuesday, March 15, weather permitting. Several closures and detours will be in place to prepare for this traffic shift.

Expected Nighttime Closures – Sunday, March 13:

The 9th Avenue ramp to southbound I-29 will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow workers to restripe pavement.

Expected nighttime closures – Monday, March 14:

Southbound I-29 will close between 16th Street and 9th Avenue from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to allow workers to set up the new traffic configuration. The 25th Street, Avenue G, eastbound I-480, and 9th Avenue ramps will also be closed.

Beginning Tuesday morning, March 15, southbound I-29 will be closed at 9th Avenue. This closure will be in place for approximately 8 months (late 2022), when all southbound traffic will be shifted to the Southbound Frontage Road. Traffic not destined for Council Bluffs should use detour routes. Local traffic will be detoured at 9th Avenue through the intersection.

Iowa DOT encourages motorists to follow signs and use caution while becoming accustomed to new traffic patterns. Interstate traffic will be slowed to 35 mph near the I-480 interchange. Traffic on the Southbound Frontage Road will need to yield to interstate traffic on the southbound I-29 to 9th Avenue ramp.

Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area as part of the Council Bluffs Interstate Improvement Program. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports two candidates for County Office filed their respective nomination papers, today (Thursday). The candidates include:

• Mark O’Brien-Republican-Cass County Board of Supervisors, District #2 (incumbent)
• Non-Partisan (General Election only):
  • Travis Erickson-Edna Township Clerk.

Earlier this week, Cass County Supervisor John Hartkopf announced his intention to run for re-election on the Board of Supervisors for District 3, and Republican Cass County Recorder Mary Ward filed her papers to run.