From Rep. Taylor Collins

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 10th, 2023 at 8:35 am CDT

To the People of House District 95

 

You would think that the pace at the Capitol may have slowed a bit this week but now that bills have moved out of committee, we are now considering many bills on the House floor.

 

University of Iowa Caves, Taxpayers Will Not Pay Cost of Settlement

Shortly after it was announced that the University of Iowa had settled yet another lawsuit that would cost the state millions, the House Appropriations Committee which I serve on acted swiftly to introduce a bill that would ensure the state would no longer pay for the costs of these settlements, and that instead, the University would take responsibility for such costs. The three person subcommittee which was held this morning, Thursday, March 9th, was an interesting one – because when we called the subcommittee to order the University of Iowa was then prepared to announce that they would pay the cost of the settlement entirely, and that the taxpayer would not foot the bill. Sometimes getting things done in Des Moines doesn’t always mean a bill must be signed into law by the Governor, but instead, you just have to apply a little pressure where needed!

 

House Votes to Protect Children

On Wednesday, March 9th, the House voted 58-39 to approve Senate File 538. The bill prohibits puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender surgery from being administered to any child under the age of 18 in Iowa because of the lack of conclusive evidence and the potential for long-term, irreversible side effects.

A paper published in the International Review of Psychiatry states that 80% of those seeking clinical care will lose their desire to identify with their non-birth sex. According to the American College of Pediatricians, studies show that 80-95 percent of children who experience gender dysphoria will accept their biological sex by late adolescence. The British Medical Journal recently published an article which finds the practice of youth gender-transitions cannot be considered evidence-based. The Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) states “England and Sweden, stopped or announced the intention to stop transitioning youth as routine medical practice. This change in treatment approach came about following each country’s own independent systematic reviews of evidence.” SEGM also wrote the newly emerging evidence has led “Finland to update its guidelines in 2020, sharply curbing provision of such treatment to youth and limiting it to exceptional cases.” Additionally, countries like France, Australia and New Zealand have also made changes aimed at safeguarding youth.

The evolving medical data shows that so-called gender affirming surgeries and treatments and pharmaceutical interruptions of normal sexual development do not provide long-term therapeutic relief for children involved in this care, and that is why House Republicans took action.

 

Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation Curriculum Now Restricted

This week, the House passed a bill to prohibit any classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation in K-6th grade. We send our kids to school to learn reading, writing, math and science. This bill will allow teachers to use their time on those topics and leave discussions on social issues to the parents. Teachers should teach and parents should parent. This bill was amended to make clear that this is not about limiting all discussion around LGBTQ Iowans. It is to prohibit instruction, curriculum, or promotion of these topics in school. Students with same-sex parents or teachers in a same-sex marriage would not be limited from talking about those relationships.

 

Removing Sexually Explicit Materials from Schools

This week the House also passed a bill to remove sexually explicit material from Iowa school libraries. This bill requires that all books in school libraries must be age appropriate and expands the definition of age appropriate in code to include what is NOT age appropriate. Age appropriate does not include any material with descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act. I still cannot believe that this is a bill we need to pass. But unfortunately, books that contain images or passages of exactly the sexual acts have been found in Iowa schools, especially in the metros.

 

Rural Emergency Hospital Legislation Advances

This week, the House passed Senate File 75, a bill to license Rural Emergency Hospitals in Iowa, 97-1. This is a priority bill of the Iowa House Republicans to ensure access to emergency care in rural areas. Federal law created this designation in 2020, and has allowed this new hospital designation to begin January 1, 2023. In order for the state to allow a hospital to convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital, the state must license these facilities as a health care facility that maintains a 24-hour emergency room, but does not include acute inpatient care.

Rural Emergency Hospitals receive different reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid than other hospitals, based on the federal law. This includes quarterly payments from the Centers of Medicaid & Medicaid Services and an additional five percent increase to reimbursement for health care services. Keokuk Hospital recently closed in Lee County. This bill would allow for that hospital to reopen as a Rural Emergency Hospital, and this bill waives the requirement for a certificate of need for that hospital.

 

Another Strong Revenue Month for Iowa

State revenue collections continued at a strong pace in February, according to the Legislative Services Agency. Tax collections for February were 5.7 percent higher than February 2022, with an additional $35.7 million being paid to the state. This increase includes January’s implementation of the 2022 tax reform law. For the first eight moths of the fiscal year, state revenue has grown by 4 percent. This is well ahead of the 1.9 percent reduction forecasted by the Revenue Estimating Conference.

Personal income tax payments to the state were down compared to February of last year, but a decline would be expected with the tax cut going into effect. The 2022 law was projected to lower Iowans tax liability by $50 million in February. So the fact that actual personal income tax payments only fell by $18.3 million shows that Iowa’s economy is still performing well.  For the year, personal income tax payments are up 4.7 percent over FY 2022. This is well ahead of the REC’s forecast of a decline of 3.5 percent.

Sales tax collections for the month were down by $84.2 million, with the cause being change in sales tax deposit dates that began at the start of Fiscal Year 2023. Most sales tax payments from retailers now happen at the end of each month, with some collections not being credited in the state’s accounting system until the start of the next month.

February is always a slow month for corporate income tax payments, and this February was no different. The state collected $10 million in corporate income tax, which is a decline of $4.1 million. As with personal income tax, corporate income tax rates were reduced on January 1, so payments are likely to not meet last year’s high levels.

The continuing strong revenue picture should have an impact on the next meeting of the Revenue Estimating Conference. The forecasting group will meet on Friday, at 11 am to revise their projections for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 and will make an initial forecast for state revenue in Fiscal Year 2025. The meeting will be in the Supreme Court chamber and can be viewed on the Legislative Services Agency’s YouTube page:

 

Legislative Forums

I want to thank everyone who came out to my forums in Muscatine and Wapello this last weekend. The forums were both very well attended, and the questions were engaging!

Sincerely,

Rep. Taylor Collins
Iowa House District 95

Hai Hinh

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at 5:03 pm CDT

Hai Phuoc Hinh, 59 of Mt. Pleasant, IA lost his battle to metastatic bladder cancer on March 8, 2023.

Hai was born on December, 10th 1963 in Rach Gia, Vietnam, 5th child to Hinh Vi Phong and Ly Lang.

Hai made his home in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa after fleeing the communist Vietnam. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1983, then attended Indian Hills Community College. He was united in marriage to Shirley Unternahrer of Wayland on June 29, 1985.

Hai worked for Old Threshers, Motorola, Celestica and was still employed by FedEx when he passed. Hai had also worked second jobs at Riverside Casino and then Hy-Vee, as well as odd jobs while in high school.

Hai enjoyed wood working, traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Hai is survived by Shirley Unternahrer of Wayland, IA and their six children: Levi Hinh of Wayland, IA, Tricia Hinh of Wayland, IA, Matthew Hinh of Wayland, IA, Lidia Hinh (Thomas Rauen) of Austin, MN, Elijah Hinh of Wayland, IA, MaymeLorene Hinh (Cody Jones) of Austin, MN, and six grandchildren: Keelyn, RyleeAnn, Savannah, Isabella, Charlie, and Gordon. Surviving sisters include Hinh Kim Tient of Vietnam, Hinh Kim Loan and husband Le Tri Hung of Vietnam, Hinh Ngoc My of Vietnam, Hinh Ngoc Van and husband Than Trong Ngoc of Vietnam, brother Khanh Hinh and wife Kyungsook Hinh of Minneapolis, MN, and “adopted” sisters, Deb Turley Schmidt of Mt. Pleasant, IA and Brenda Turley Jenkins (Bob) of Rosemont, MN, many members of his FedEx family and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Hai was proceeded in death by his parents, Hinh Vi Phong and Ly Lang, his brother-in-law Nguyen Bao, and “adopted” parents Leo and Billie Turley.

There will not be any services.

Charlotte May Loges

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at 3:53 pm CDT

Charlotte May Loges, 88, of the Kensington, formerly of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Burlington, Iowa.

Charlotte was born on May 25, 1934 in Fort Madison, Iowa the daughter of Ray and Ethel (Anderson (Hasenclever). On March 6, 1956, she married Maurice Loges in fort Madison, Iowa. He preceded her in death on August 19, 2016.

Survivors include her one son: Ronald (Janice) Loges of Donnellson; one grandson: David (Nicole) Loges and two great grandchildren: Blake and Anna.

She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father: Clarence Poe; husband: Maurice and four sisters.

Charlotte was a member of the Zion Mennonite Church in Donnellson. She enjoyed time spent with family, cooking, baking, growing flowers and NASCAR.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A private family graveside service will be held Monday, March 13, 2023 at the Zion Mennonite Cemetery.

Burial will be at Zion Mennonite Cemetery, rural Donnellson, Iowa.

A memorial has been in her memory for Zion Mennonite Cemetery.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

 

Historic Season for Tiger Basketball

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at 1:35 pm CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- The season might be over for both Iowa Wesleyean men’s and women’s basketball teams but what a year it has been for both teams as Head Coach for the women’s team, Steve Williamson, broke Olan Ruble’s win total midway through the season and first year Head Coach for the men’s team, Jordan Ashton, led the Tigers to their first top-25 ranking since the 2010-2011 season. Here is a look at the high points for the season.

In November, the men’s team were starting to hit their stride having won 7 games in a row before running into the #13 William Penn Statesmen at Ruble Arena. Despite the ostensible mismatch, the Tigers went on a 13 to 0 run in the second half to take a commanding lead. The Statesmen would cut it close but be unable to recover as Iowa Wesleyan pulled off the upset 85-81 to extend their win streak to 8 games.

On the women’s side of things, Isabell West, a transfer from Murray State, was named Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after her phenomenal performance against College of the Ozarks in a 68-65 thriller in December. In this back-and-forth contest at Ruble Arena, West would put up 35 points in the contest and pull down 12 rebounds in the winning effort. Her 35-point performance was 4 points short of Brittany West’s record, her sister, set a season ago in the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament.

Fast forwarding to January, Head Coach Steve Williamson finally broke Olan Ruble’s career victory mark at 275 games after defeating Crowley’s Ridge College 68-37. The win was also Williamson’s 353rd career win as this is his second stint with the Tigers and in his first year he claimed the CAC championship and CAC Coach of the Year.

On the men’s side of things, the Tigers found themselves ranked #25 in the midst of a 15-game winning streak and being led by Henry Shannon who was averaging 13.5 points per game. This was the first time the Tigers had been ranked since the 2010-2011 season. They would improve to #23 by the end of the month as they had improved their win streak to 18 games and a 19-1 record on the season. The Tigers would win two more games to bring the program’s longest winning streak to 20 games.

In February, Isabell West was again named CAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week as she was helping the team ride an 11-game winning streak to the end of the season. In her two games that week against Crowley’s Ridge College and Northern New Mexico College she tallied 41 points and 19 rebounds as well as shooting 9 of 10 from the free throw line against Northern New Mexico College. Later in the month, Kyla Moore would take home her own CAC Player of the Week as shed averaged 25 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3 assists over her two games against Baptist Bible College and Trinity Christian College. Moore was also 18-20 from the free throw line over the two-game span. The Tigers would then capture the 1 seed for the CAC tournament as they were looking to repeat as champions. They would succeed in that mission as they came back from behind against Haskell Indian Nations to take it 64-59. West secured a double-double with 25 points and 14 rebounds in the win.

In terms of conference awards, Kyla Moore captured 1st Team All-Conference. Breanna Wendland took home 2nd Team All-Conference. Brielle Baker was recognized as the Champion of Character. Steve Williamson was named CAC Coach of the Year for the 2nd year in a row. Lastly, Isabell West took home three awards in 1st Team All-Conference, Newcomer of the Year, and Player of the Year as she averaged 18.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

The men’s team entered the CAC tournament as the #2 seed and almost on the wrong end of an upset in the opening round against Haskell Indian Nations. Nevertheless, Henry Shannon would tip the ball in at the buzzer to end up taking the game 67-65. After skating past Washington Adventist University, the Tigers would be matched up against the team that ended their win streak, the Florida College Falcons. This rematch would go the Tigers way 70-66 as Joey Brown IV splashed 5 three-points in the contest to end the game with 19 points. Gacoby Jones was named CAC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament with Joey Brown IV, Henry Shannon, and Hakeem Odunsi were named to the CAC All-Tournament team. This was men’s first time winning the conference championship since 2011.

In terms of conference awards, Henry Shannon was named 1st Team All-Conference as he averaged 13.1 points per game and 1.5 blocks per game as a freshman. Gacoby Jones earned honorable mention All-Conference honors along with Joey Brown IV. Jones averaged 11.7 points per game and Brown averaged 10.3 points per game. Additionally, in his first year at the helm, Jordan Ashton took home CAC Coach of the Year as he led the team to a 24-2 regular season record and a #23 ranking after the program finished 12-19 last season.

The women’s team would claim the 15th seed in the NAIA National Tournament and finish the season with a 23-7 record. The men’s team would earn the 7th seed in the NAIA National Tournament and finish the season with a 27-3 record.

Sports, March 9th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at 6:37 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Class 1A state championship is set for Friday with Grand View Christian, looking for their 4th state championship, going against North Linn, the defending champions, at 1 pm.

Central Lyon will take on Pella Christian today in the Class 2A semifinal with the winner taking on the winner between Roland-Story and Western Christian on Friday at 3 pm.

Bondurant-Farrar, who is coached by Travis Evans, an Iowa Wesleyan graduate and grandson of Mt. Pleasant coach Bob Evans, is looking to continue the undefeated season against North Polk in the semifinal round for Class 3A, while Xavier will be facing off against Bishop Heelan. The championship game will take place tomorrow at 5 pm.

Class 4A had the biggest upset of the tournament as the 8th seed Pleasant Valley took down the #1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy 57-45 to face off against Valley in the semifinal today. Waukee will take on Waukee Northwest tonight. The championship game will be tomorrow at 7 pm.

High School Track and Field

The girls’ will be participating in the IATC Indoor Championships today and the boys’ will be competing tomorrow.

Youth Basketball

March Madness 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament held at Iowa Wesleyan University for 5th – 8th grade girls and boys will take place on March 18th and 19th. Please contact Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jordan Ashton for more details at 319-385-6307 or visit www.infosports.com.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team’s season ended with a 23-7 record and as Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) champions. Head Coach Steve Williamson talked about how proud he was of his team. The men’s basketball team finished the year 27-3 and as CAC champions.

The women’s wrestling team will be competing in the 2023 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship which will take place tomorrow, March 10th. Head Coach Jake Kadel talked about his eleven wrestlers that will be competing at the meet.

The Tiger baseball team faced off against the University of South Carolina Beaufort yesterday and fell 18-3. The Sand Sharks scored quickly and often as they put up 10 runs in the bottom of the 4th inning. Julian Figueroa continued his excellent two game stretch as he has gone 6 for 8 with 5 RBIs over the past two games including a home run and a double. Riley Rankin and Sage Bonner added an RBI apiece in the contest. The Tigers will take on Fisher College tomorrow at 2 pm.

The Tiger softball team will take on Suffolk University today.

Head Coach for the Track and Field teams for Iowa Wesleyan, Hunter Davis, will be joining us on Tiger Nation this morning at 9 am.

This Day in Sports History

1904 – Brandon’s Lester Patrick becomes 1st hockey defenseman to score a goal.

1979 – MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders baseball to give equal access to female reporters.

1993 – Pittsburgh Penguins begin NHL record 17 game winning streak.

The 2023 Midwest Old Threshers Country Music Entertainment Line-up

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 5:30 pm CDT

The Midwest Old Threshers Association is excited to announce the country music entertainment line-up for the 2023 Reunion on the KILJ Stage.  This year’s reunion runs August 31 thru September 4.

That first night country music icon Crystal Gayle will grace the stage.   Gayle has won the AMA award for favorite country female artist three times, she was the AMA female vocalist of the year two years in a row and the AMC Female vocalist of the year three times.  And she received a Grammy for best country vocal performance female in 1978 for her hit Don’t It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue.

September 1 Easton Corbin brings his unique blend of traditional modern county music to the KILJ stage.  Corbin grew up listening to Merle Haggard and Hank Williams with his grandparents. But he also brings a young modern sound.

Joe Nichols also grew up listening to traditional country music like Merle Haggard, George Straight and Buck Owens.  He’s described as a 21st Century Traditionalist who is both timely and timeless.  Joe Nichols hits the KILJ Stage September 2.

And then Sunday, September 3  Old Threshers welcomes country pop singer and songwriter Dylan Scott. Scott is described as an old soul with a young spirit. He is a powerful vocalist and with an unmistakable drawl and smooth baritone.

There you have it!  The 2023 Country Music entertainment line up on the KILJ stage at 2023 Old Threshers reunion! The $15 one day and the $35 multi day admissions include the evening concerts. For more information visit Oldthreshers.com and stay tuned to KILJ!

SEISO PRESENTS HINDEMITH’S ICONIC WORK MATHIS DER MALER ON THEIR SECOND MASTERWORKS SERIES CONCERT MYSTICAL FOOTPRINTS

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 4:33 pm CDT

The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra (SEISO) presents the second of their Masterworks
Series concerts this season, Mystical Footprints, on March 18th at 7:30 PM at Ottumwa’s Bridge
View Center and March 19th at 2:00 PM at Burlington’s Capitol Theater and 6:30 PM at Iowa
Wesleyan’s Chapel Auditorium in Mt. Pleasant. This concert combines Hindemith’s masterpiece
with several other lesser-known pieces making for a varied and exciting program.
Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler is the centerpiece of this concert and is not to be missed. The
SEISO Chorus will be featured on Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus”, Vaughan Williams’ Five
Mystical Songs with soloist Blair Buffington, and Williametta Spencer’s At the Round Earth’s
Imagined Corners. The program is rounded out by the 2022 Marilyn Minford McCoid Young
Artist Competition winner, Mattias Luitjens, a senior at WACO High School, performing
Henryk Gorecki’s Piano Concerto.
“I’m thrilled with the variety of this program and I think anyone that comes is really going to
enjoy it. We combine some well-known composers and works with some that will be unfamiliar,”
said Robert McConnell, Music Director of the SEISO. “The Hindemith is particularly enjoyable
and patrons will be reminded of our performances of his Symphonic Metamorphosis last season. I
think many people are surprised at how easy it is to enjoy our concerts and how different they are
from what they expected.”
Tickets to the Masterworks Series concerts in Burlington, Ottumwa and Mt. Pleasant may be
purchased at the door or on our website www.seiso.us. Adult tickets are $20. Children/student
tickets (aged 0-22) are free. There is no reserved seating.
Make the most of your concert experience by attending the ‘Prelude.’ Music Director Robert
McConnell will be on hand 45 minutes before each performance to talk about the programmed
music in depth. ‘Prelude’ is supported through a grant from the Charles W. Rand Memorial
Lecture Fund in Burlington and is offered free of charge to all audience members

Children’s Discovery Center Grand Opening

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 3:27 pm CDT

The Grand Opening of the Mount Pleasant Public Library’s Children’s Discovery Center will be held on Saturday, March 18, from 10 am to 1 pm.  There will be a visit from Mascot “2 Sense”. Join a scavenger hunt to guess how many magnify glasses are in the Center. There will also be  a free mini mascot giveaway to the first 48 children who would like one, and other surprises. The Discovery Center is a space for ages zero to fifth grade to explore, engage and experiment. During your visit donate coins so kids can experiment with the spiral and mini vortex wishing wells.  The collected coins will be used to purchase new additions to the Center. The Children’s Discovery Center is located on the East side of the Public Library/Civic Center.   Look for the sign and follow the sidewalk to a world of fun and discovery.