DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Two companion bills in the Iowa House and Senate introduced on Wednesday would ban casinos on urban renewal sites. The bills were introduced by GOP Rep. Megan Jones and GOP Sen. Scott Webster. Sen. Webster says this bill would only impact casinos paid for by public tax dollars. The Iowa House passed a casino moratorium bill last month that would have blocked casino development for five years, but the Senate chose not to take it up. That decision cleared the way for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to grant Linn County a gaming license earlier this month. A subcommittee hearing over the Senate’s version of this new bill to ban casino development is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Money for conservation projects and outdoor recreation could instead be used for property tax relief under a proposal in the Iowa Senate. Voters approved adding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund to the state constitution in 2010. Voters approved the fund but it’s never been used because lawmakers failed to raise the sales tax to put money into it. Now, a proposed constitutional amendment would send the money to a property tax relief fund if lawmakers raise the sales tax. In a standing room only subcommittee, conservationists argued that the fund should be left for the environment. They argue outdoor recreation benefits quality of life and attracts people to the state. Iowa legislators refused to raise the sales tax after voters approved the original purpose of the fund, so it’s unclear if they will raise it for this new use for the fund. This is a proposed constitutional amendment. It must pass out of two General Assemblies first. Then, voters must approve it at the ballot box.
SAC COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The fourth case of bird flu in domestic birds this year has been found in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County. Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Sac County through Mar. 21. It allows different state resources to help with tracking, monitoring and disinfection. As of last Friday, there were two commercial flocks that were currently affected and a total of almost 268,000 birds. The last case of bird flu was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County. State health officials say bird flu isn’t an immediate public health concern.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI/KCRG) – A Des Moines teenager is in custody after an incident at North High School in Des Moines Wednesday afternoon. Officials say a 16-year-old student got into a fight with another student, went outside, dumped a handgun and went back inside. Police say they recovered the gun and the teen has been taken into custody.
