By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

Warmer weather is finally here and Iowans who love to fish are getting out on — or beside — their favorite bodies of water, casting lines and seeing what they can catch. Nate Carr, a state DNR conservation officer from Eldora, says besides your fishing pole and the tackle box, there’s one other important thing you should bring along.

“If you’re 16 or older and you’re fishing in public water, you’re required to have a fishing license,” Carr says. “All that goes to help promote and manage the fisheries that we do have. There’s a lot of work from our fisheries bureau that goes towards surveying lakes, trying to understand how our population is doing, and how to best manage that body of water.” Fishing regulations do change from year to year, and Carr says you’ll want to keep up or risk getting a fine.

“Depending on where you’re fishing, length limits and daily limits, you may see some differences whether you’re fishing in the river or a lake,” Carr says. “So it’s a good idea to find yourself a fishing reg booklet for 2023.” He says you don’t need to look far to get the full rundown of state fishing regulations.

“Honestly, one of the easiest ways to come across that is, just to go on our website — iowadnr.gov — and you can search ‘fishing regs’ and download a copy to your phone or your laptop or whatever you have handy,” he says.

The annual Iowa Free Fishing Weekend is scheduled for June 2nd through the 4th.

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The 2023 Iowa legislative session ended early this afternoon.

Over the past four months, the Republican majority approved a series of GOP priorities like state funding for private school expenses and curbs on what books are allowed in public school libraries, A bipartisan property tax relief plan cleared the legislature this week.

“We wanted to work on school choice. We wanted to work on parental empowerment,” Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver told Radio Iowa. “…We really wanted to work on property taxes knowing that the huge assessments were coming. I think we were able to get all of those things accomplished, so it was a very, very successful year.”

House Speaker Pat Grassley began talking about school choice in 2020 and he told reporters with 24 new Republicans in the Iowa House this year, the plan came together. “We try to make commitments and follow through with those things that we tell Iowans we’re going to do,” Grassley said, “whether it’s on the campaign trail or whether it’s when we show up here for the first day of session.”

Democrats say Republicans have left $2 billion in the taxpayer relief fund and even more tax revenue remains unspent. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst said it could have been used on key priorities, like water quality.

“We could be investing in public schools. We could be doing more for mental health in this state. We could be doing more for the issues that Iowans can about with those resources,” Konfrst said. “Instead, they’re sitting in an account, so that the governor can brag about having a big account.”

Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls told reporters the GOP pursued “divisive” policies this year. “Republican poured gasoline on the flames of the culture war by undermining and politicizing Iowa’s public schools…banning books from school libraries,” Wahls said,” and attacking the freedoms of parents and the LGBTQ community.”

This afternoon, Governor Kim Reynolds signed the property tax changes that passed the legislature this week with the support of Republicans and nearly all Democrats. Lawmakers say the goal is to ensure this spring’s assessments don’t lead to massive property tax increases in September of next year.

Reresentative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says Republicans are hoarding three-and-a-half billion dollars in the taxpayer relief fund and even more in other reserves.- “This is a hoarding problem,” she said. “We are stockpiling taxpayer dollars. This money belongs to the taxpayers. There are lots of ways we can give it back to the taxpayers through quality services — a high quality public education, public safety, clean water.”

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds today announced the availability of up to $1.5 million in funding for programs that provide opportunities for high school students to explore their future careers.

The Statewide Intermediary Work-based Learning Grant program will help students experience one-on-one contact with potential employers and help them make informed decisions about postsecondary education and careers. The new grant is open to Iowa educational organizations, community colleges, nonprofit organizations, and local workforce development boards, as well as any other entity with the capacity to provide students sustained interactions with industry or community professionals in a real worksite environment.

The goal of the grant is to encourage the creation and development of a range of work-based learning programs including internships, job shadowing experiences, apprenticeable occupations, or other workplace learning opportunities in targeted industries. Work-based learning programs increase awareness of career opportunities in local communities for students and help employers build relationships with potential future employees.

“We understand that by investing in our kids, we are investing in our future,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Work-based learning helps show students that opportunities exist beyond just a four-year degree. By connecting high school students with local businesses for work-based learning opportunities, Iowa is providing students with the best environment for them to succeed.”

Grant funding may be used for expenses related to the successful implementation of a work-based learning program, including staff salary and benefits, transportation, materials and supplies, or other related expenses. Applicants are required to match at least 25 percent of the grant funds received using public funds, private donations, or in-kind contributions.

“Iowa continues to need more workers, and one of the most important steps we can take toward meeting that need is to ensure that students realize they don’t have to leave the state for the kind of careers they want,” said Beth Townsend, Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “These grants will support programs that show students many of the available possibilities.”

Visit this link for more information on the grant, including application documents. Applications for funding will be accepted on www.IowaGrants.gov from today through 11:59 a.m. on June 2nd.

Interested applicants will be able to ask questions during a webinar scheduled on May 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Visit this link to register.