News

Baxter and Guth Legislative Updates

Published by editor on Wed, 03/30/2022 - 7:26am

House Happenings—March 24, 2022

 

We are finishing week 11 at the Capital.  We have now prioritized our bills and working on the essentials that have good support.  Many of these bill have been three to five years in the making.  Sometimes it takes several years to get legislation right.  Even bills that seem to pass fast have often been worked on in previous sessions.

Let me highlight some legislation that passed the House this week. Let me start with SF2245 that I personally floor managed in the house. 

Wright County gov’t entities participate in state auditor’s PIE program

Published by editor on Wed, 03/30/2022 - 7:23am

Iowa taxpayers are reaping the rewards of a more than 55% increase in participation in Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand’s Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program in just its second year. The increase includes entries from 84 counties, 310 cities, and first-time submissions from 121 school districts.

“I’m thrilled government entities in every Iowa county used this opportunity to save taxpayers money,” said Sand. “Ultimately, the PIE program has the potential to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for communities across our state.”

A home of their own- Purple Heart recipient and family receive mortgage-free home in Goldfield

Published by editor on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 6:38am

When the Hulsey family drove into Goldfield last Saturday in a vehicle convoy led by a moving truck, they were nervous but very excited. When they pulled up in front of a house in town near the Boone River, they were greeted by cheers and cries of “WELCOME HOME!” This was music to the ears of Sergeant Michael Hulsey and his family since they have never owned a home before, and wonderfully, this one would be mortgage-free.

Rowan Fire Department leading equipment donation

Published by editor on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 6:35am

What do you do with a bunch of firefighting equipment that is still usable but no longer meets U.S. safety standards? Well, if you’re the Rowan Fire Department (RFD), you hatch an elaborate plan to donate the equipment to firefighters in different countries. That is precisely what the RFD is working on currently.

Church fair stand torn down to make space for new and improved

Published by editor on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 6:33am

 

The Sacred Heart fair stand at the Wright County Fairgrounds has been torn down after almost 60 years. Fans of the church’s tasty fair food do not need to fear though! The tear down opens up an opportunity for a new and bigger stand incorporating all three of the Wright County Catholic Churches, which make up Holy Family Cluster.

Supervisors accept pay raises

Published by editor on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 6:32am

During Monday’s Supervisor meeting, the board voted to accept the recommendations of the Wright County Compensation Board for pay raises for various elected officials. As has been previously published, this included a 4% raise for county supervisors, 22.5% raises for the auditor, county attorney, treasurer, and recorder and a 36% raise for the sheriff.

CGD Middle School to perform inaugural play

Published by editor on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 6:30am

 

In their opening debut, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Middle School Drama Club proudly presents "Complaint Department and Lemonade" by Kamron Klitgaard.

"In this rapid succession of hysterical grievances, the complaint department takes on everything from Oreo icing to songs stuck in the head to the price of cheese. Could there be a glimmer of hope for anyone in charge of a complaint department?"

Prevent Avian Influenza by promoting good biosecurity

Published by editor on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 6:28am

 

In a recent episode of the Small Farm Sustainability Podcast, Yuko Sato, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach poultry veterinarian and associate professor in Iowa State's College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses avian influenza and how good biosecurity practices can help prevent outbreaks in poultry.

Bill switcheroo would delay eminent domain for pipelines

Published by editor on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 6:26am

In an 11th-hour gambit to give more bargaining power to landowners in the path of proposed carbon pipelines, Republicans in the Iowa House converted a cosmetology bill into a one-year moratorium on the use of eminent domain for the pipelines.

“The reason we are addressing eminent domain today is because landowners who are potentially impacted want certainty,” said Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, chairperson of the House State Government committee that narrowly advanced the amended bill. “I am not anti-pipeline.”

Iowa Specialty Hospital delivers 100th baby of the year

Published by editor on Wed, 03/23/2022 - 6:22am

 

Iowa Specialty Hospital’s 100th baby of 2022, Estella Jean Cordes, was born on March 10, 2022 at 4:46 a.m. to parents, Jenna June Thompson and Kristian Reed Martin Cordes of Meservey.  Baby Estella weighed 9 pounds 1 ounce and was 21 1/4 inches in length. She will be welcomed home by siblings Kyen, age 4 and Mason, age 3.

 “Estella, you are mommy and daddy’s biggest blessing!” shared mom Jenna.

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