By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

Most members of the Iowa legislature have started the long process of a proposing a constitutional fix that would again let some child witnesses testify against an alleged abuser remotely.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird proposed the amendment after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled it is unconstitutional for children to testify against their accused abusers without facing them in person in court. Representative Steven Holt of Denison said the opinion offered no guidance on what options the courts could take so child abuse victims aren’t traumatized again, “which I think is most curious because they’ve left us with an interesting conundrum and we try to protect children.”

Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City is among the six lawmakers who voted against advancing the proposed constitutional amendment. “I don’t deny the problem that is sought to be addressed in this constitutional amendment,” Thomson says. “…The Supreme Court of the United State is in the process, I think, of revisiting what the standards are.”

Others, like Representative Ken Croken of Davenport, argue the legislature should pass a state law now to allow video testimony from children who are witnesses in abuse cases. “That would be immediate and effective while a federal reconsideration of Sixth Amendment rights and obligations is in review,” Croken said.

Representative Mark Thompson of Clarion, who supports the proposed amendment, said justice is not served when a victim is too intimidated to testify. “I’ve met various victims of horrible abuse over the past two years,” he said. “Their courage is beyond reproach and their courage is dampeneed when they are forced to face the person who allegedly abused them.”

The proposed amendment to Iowa’s Constitution says the right of an accused to confront a child under the age of 18 as well as witnesses with a mental illness or intellectual disability may be limited by law. That language has been approved by legislators this year and must again in 2027 or 2028 before voters could decide whether to add it to Iowa’s Constitution.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s labor force participation rate held steady at 67.0 percent in March as 1,700 Iowans entered the labor force. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in March, up slightly from 3.3 percent in February. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate increased to 4.2 percent in March.

The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,664,000 in March, up 400 from February and 2,400 higher than one year ago. The total number of unemployed Iowans increased to 58,600 in March from 57,300 in February.

“March’s report shows increased hiring in key industries such as construction, transportation, and healthcare, while other areas with more temporary workers pulled back,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “There remains over 50,000 open jobs in Iowa, and the IowaWORKS career planners and Reemployment Case Management team can help Iowans who are looking for work find available jobs and learn how to best position themselves in a competitive job market.”

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Job growth from Iowa firms in March was led primarily from the sectors of construction, education and health services, and trade, transportation and utilities, which collectively added 1,500 jobs. Overall, goods-producing industries increased slightly (+200), while government employment was little changed since February. Overall, Iowa firms shed 1,500 jobs in March, lowering total nonfarm employment to 1,592,300. This loss was largely attributed to private service industries lowering staffing levels. In the wake of the March report, Iowa firms have now shed 11,800 jobs over the past 12 months.

Jobs gains in March were led by construction (+500). This increase follows another small gain in February. Health care and social assistance was also up in March (+500) and was fueled by services for the elderly and disabled. This sector continues the trend upward and has gained jobs in six consecutive months, adding 3,900 jobs over that span. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities gained 400 jobs. Trucking and delivery industries were responsible for most of these jobs added. Administrative support and waste management pared 1,200 jobs in March to lead all private sectors, which fueled a combined loss of 2,000 jobs in professional and business services. Professional, scientific, and technical firms also shed 600 jobs. Leisure and hospitality lost 900 jobs. These losses were evenly split between recreational industries and accommodation and food services.

While trailing last year’s mark by 4,200, construction has added jobs in three of the last four months, gaining 1,300 jobs over that span. Health care and social assistance employers are up 5,900 jobs annually, and have continued to expand compared to last year’s mark. Manufacturing has shed the most jobs (-8,000) over the past 12 months, most of which stem from durable goods factories (-5,900). Professional and business services are also down since last year (-5,000), fueled by losses in administrative support and waste management.

DES MOINES — The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 9 cents, averaging $2.98 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

• The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $5.19 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $62.57.
• Brent crude oil rose by $5.21 and is currently priced at $65.84.
• One year ago, WTI crude sold for $86.15 and Brent crude was $91.29.

Motor Fuels

• As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.98 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices fell 9 cents from last week’s price and are down 34 cents from a year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $3.17, down 7 cents from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.35.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.77 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is 24 cents lower than the national average of $3.59.
• Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.02 for U87-E10, $2.31 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.24 for ULSD#2, $2.48 for ULSD#1, and $1.95 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

• Natural gas prices were down $.27 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.27 MMbtu.
• We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in October.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.