Tagged: Iowa

Governor Terry Branstad (R-Iowa) says he will seek a key provision in future contracts with union employees.

Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) say they will start paying 20% of their health insurance premiums next month.

The Governor told a crowd in Fort Madison that Iowa could save $100-million if every state employee followed their lead.

“But I don’t expect a lot of rank-and-file workers will do it immediately,” says Branstad, “but down the road, most people in the private sector are paying more than that so we think in the future that makes sense.”

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is confident his state will come out on top when it comes to a proposed $1.5-billion fertilizer plant.

Orascom Construction Industries is said to be considering multiple sites in Iowa for the plant, along with locations in central Illinois and Texas.

Branstad says he has personally talked to representatives of the Egypt-based company about Iowa’s history of honest, reliable government, especially when compared to Illinois.

The murder trial of Keokuk resident Adam Pitman has concluded its second day.

Judge Cynthia Danielson is presiding over the case at the South Lee County Courthouse in Keokuk.

Pitman is accused of killing his mother, Rosa Pitman, in her home in the early morning hours of August 30, 2011.  He allegedly confessed to the crime after being pulled over for a traffic violation several hours later.

1st Degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

ADAM PITMAN

The state of Iowa is recommending the Lee County Narcotics Task Force change some of its operating practices.

The recommendations are based on a report, released this week, by State Auditor David Vaudt.

The report was requested by the board that oversees the task force.

The most significant finding is the task force is carrying a $90,000 deficit from the time period of July 1, 2010 - May 31, 2012.

The polls will open at 7:00 A.M. for voters in southeast Iowa as they decide who should move on from the primary to the November General Election.

There are contested races up and down the ballot in Lee and Des Moines Counties.  They start in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

Congressman Dave Loebsack faces a challenge from State Senator Joe Seng on the Democratic side while John Archer and Dan Dolan are squaring off for the Republican nod.