By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

Thanks to a sudden social media buzz, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeing a renewed surge in demand for its big, blue, recyclable litter bags — which are free.

Todd Robertson, the DNR’s river programs outreach coordinator, says the effort was launched 14 years ago and was originally designed for canoe paddlers and kayakers, so they could haul out any trash they might see or generate during an outing.

“But then everybody started seeing these bags and so everybody wanted to start using them and we thought that was a great idea,” Robertson says. “Whether you’re just an equestrian, or a bicyclist, or a picnicker, or a hiker, whatever you want to do, so we’re making them available to everyone.”

The bags are about the size of an onion sack, with a drawstring at the top, and they’re made of a durable blue mesh. They’re light weight and fold up so they can be stuffed in a tackle box, a backpack or your glove compartment.

“It’s not like taking a plastic bag out on your outing and filling it with trash and having it tear and then garbage spills everywhere and then you have litter all over the place,” Robertson says. “These are very strong bags that are recyclable, and the real important thing here is that they’re reusable. If you rinse it out, and maybe just hang dry it, you’re able to take it out and use it again.”

Over the past 14 years, Robertson says the state’s given away around 30,000 of the bags and they’ve just gotten in a fresh shipment, each emblazoned with the motto: “Keep It Clean, Keep It Fun!”

“It’s great to have free stuff, but to have something that you can actually utilize in making the environment better? People are all over that these days,” Robertson says. “They will do anything and take anything that will help them accomplish that goal, and that’s what this tool does. And we look at it like that, it’s a tool, but it’s a gift to everybody out there. We have plenty of them and I’m happy to send them out to anybody.”

To get one or two free bags, email Robertson direct at: todd.robertson@dnr.iowa.gov, or order through the Google doc address HERE.

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

Most Republicans in the Iowa House have voted to block the state auditor’s access to some types of personal or confidential information. The bill also forbids the state auditor from going to court to get access to state government records. The bill would set up a three-member arbitration panel to decide whether state agencies or state officials must turn over material for an audit or investigation.

“The Auditor of State, a member of the executive branch, should not sue another member of the executive branch,” Representative Michael Bergan, a Republican from Dorchester, said during today’s House debate. “The cost and time involved in such an endeavor is a poor use of public funds.”

House Speaker Pat Grassley told Republicans believe State Auditor Rob Sand has sought information that’s out of bounds. “The bill is not intended to go after the ability to perform audits,” Grassley said. “The bill is intended to protect things like personal health statuses and other things…we consider outside of what the scope of an audit should look like.”

Sand, the only Democrat in statewide office, said the bill would let any agency or state official hide records. “This is the greatest perversion of checks and balances in Iowa history,” Sand told reporters during a news conference in his State Capitol office.

Sand said the bill follows Republican efforts in other states to limit the authority of elected Democrats. “Let’s be clear about this. This is the destruction of democratic norms. It’s continuing in Des Moines. That’s what this is,” Sand said. “The people of Iowa elected me and now they’re changing the rules for how this office operates because they didn’t like what I did in my first term and they didn’t like the fact that the public did like it.”

Sand was first elected state auditor in 2018 and re-elected last November. Sand thanked the six House Republicans who voted against the bill. In March, the 34 Republicans in the Iowa Senate voted to make some types of documents, like tax returns, off limits to the state auditor’s office.

DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.8 percent in March from 2.9 percent in February. In comparison, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 3.5 percent in March from 3.6 percent in February.

The state’s labor force added 2,700 new workers. The labor force participation rate increased to 68.2 percent last month.

The total number of working Iowans rose to 1,675,500 in March. This figure is 4,400 higher than February and 2,000 higher than one year ago.

“March’s strong numbers across the board again demonstrate that Iowa’s economy continues to trend in the right direction,” said Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Many Iowa industries still feel economic pressure from ongoing inflation. Regardless of national headwinds, Iowa’s employers continue to hire – especially in health care, education, and manufacturing. Whether you’re looking for that first job or your next great job, the time remains right to take advantage of these tremendous opportunities.”

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

Iowa establishments added 2,900 jobs in March following little movement in February, lifting total nonfarm to 1,592,900 jobs. Most sectors expanded their payrolls this month with the largest gains being within education, health care, and manufacturing. Service sectors were responsible for most of the jobs gained, although goods-producing industries also increased in March. Private sector employers added most of the jobs, but government also increased this month (+300) and is now up 5,000 jobs compared to last year while total nonfarm employment added 26,000 jobs.

Health care and social assistance added the most jobs this month (+1,000), more than offsetting a loss of 700 jobs in February. Nursing and residential care facilities were responsible for most of the jobs added. Manufacturing also rose in March (+700). Durable goods shops fueled most of the jobs gained. Following a weak fourth quarter for manufacturers, this year has begun on a prosperous note with 1,900 jobs gained over the last three months. Financial activities also added jobs (+600) with gains in both credit intermediation and related activities and insurance. Professional and business services gained 400 jobs and was bolstered by hiring in professional, scientific, and technical services. Job losses, conversely, were light in March and led by transportation, warehousing, and utilities (-1,000). Firms related to transportation and warehousing have shown weakness lately with 3,600 jobs lost over the past six months.

Over the past twelve months health care and social assistance has gained the most jobs (+6,200). Following a sluggish recovery from social distancing measures of 2020, this sector has now trended up over the past twelve months. Private education is up 4,100 jobs. This sector has benefitted from in-person learning and was also slow to return from COVID safety measures. Firms within leisure and hospitality industries continue to climb with 5,100 jobs added since last March. Both manufacturing and construction have gained jobs to begin the year and are now up 3,900 and 3,800 jobs, respectively. The only supersector to show signs of weakness is trade, transportation, and utilities with 3,300 jobs pared over the past twelve months. Both transportation and warehousing and retail are down compared to last March.

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Senate and House have approved competing property tax relief plans.

The Senate approach is focused on eliminating some property tax levies, consolidating others and converting property tax credits for veterans and seniors to more lucrative exemptions. Senate Republicans say it would amount to a roughly $100 million reduction in property taxes.

Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, is chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee that drafts tax policy. “Ultimately I think we’ve probably got the best dog that can hunt here in the Capitol than we’ve had in some time to start to tackle this system,” Dawson said during this afternoon’s debate.

The House approach would provide over $200 million in state money each year to replace local property taxes that go to public schools. Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He said lawmakers are listening to Iowans. “Property taxes are easily the most unpopular tax that exists,” Kaufmann said.

The House bill would also limit annual increases in property tax bills to 3%. “We are delivering significant, real, substantial property tax relief to Iowans,” Kaufmann said.

Dawson called the Senate bill phrase one of a long term effort to reform an “unchecked” property tax system. “Our system is broken. Taxpayers are scared and that is why we are here today,” Dawson said.

Both bills passed with nearly unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats. Just one Republican in the House, Michael Bergan of Dorchester, and one Democrat in the Senate, Herman Quirmbach of Ames, voted no.

Democrats like Senator Pam Jochum say so far it’s been a bipartisan effort to find ways to simplify and streamline property taxes. “Every one of us cares about this tax system and want to make it work better,” Jochum said.

Representative Dave Jacoby, a Democrat from Coralville, said injecting certainty into the system is a priority. “This, I believe, helps everyday Iowans,” Jacoby said, “and Democrats are happy to see that our ideals are being met in this bill.”

Governor Reynolds has said her focus is on eventually eliminating the state income tax and she’s leaving it up to legislators to craft a property tax reduction plan.