Week in Iowa, Nov. 20, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

Gov. Reynolds promises tax cuts: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she is working on a plan to propose income tax cuts in the upcoming legislative session that starts in January. The governor has championed lowering Iowa's taxes to be more competitive on the national stage, and previously said she wants to eliminate the income tax by the end of her second term in office.

Reynolds said Iowans "are going to be very happy" with the tax cut proposal next year, saying she'd have more details in her Condition of the State speech at the beginning of the legislative session. The governor said she is talking with legislative leaders, industry leaders and economists about how to reduce taxes in a sustainable way.

Davenport administrator paid $1.6 million: The Davenport city administrator will be paid $1.6 million in her departure from the city for lost wages and "emotional pain and suffering" after she alleged she'd been harassed by former elected officials.

Bob Vander Plaats endorses Ron DeSantis: Bob Vander Plaats, the president and CEO of the conservative evangelical organization the Family Leader, endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president last week. Vander Plaats, who has been an influential force among Iowa evangelicals, said he does not think Donald Trump will be able to win the general election against President Joe Biden.

Kim Taylor convicted of voter fraud: Kim Taylor, the wife of a Woodbury County supervisor, was found guilty of 52 counts of voter fraud this past week. Taylor, who is a Vietnam native, was convicted of filling out and signing election forms and ballots on behalf of Vietnamese residents in Sioux City with limited English proficiency.

Government prosecutors said Taylor used those ballots to cast votes for her husband, Jeremy Taylor. He has not been charged, but was named as an unindicted co-conspirator. Kim Taylor faces up to five years in prison for each charge.

Wolf Carbon Solutions pulls Illinois application: Wolf Carbon Solutions, which is seeking permission to build a 300-mile carbon capture pipeline through Eastern Iowa, asked Illinois regulators to withdraw and resubmit its application for approval in the state. Staff of the Illinois Commerce Commission previously recommended that the panel deny the company's request for a permit.

Governor pardons turkeys: Two Iowa turkeys were spared from being the main attraction at Thanksgiving last week when Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds carried out an annual tradition of pardoning the birds. The turkeys, named Freedom and Flourish, will be sent to a non-commercial farm in southeast Iowa.

They said ...

“I think Iowans are going to be very happy, early projections look really well. (Iowans) are going to be happy with where we’re going to be able to go next year.” -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on proposed income tax cuts

“We may have just witnessed Ron DeSantis accept the kiss of political death this election cycle. Bob Vander Plaats’ endorsement pulls DeSantis even further outside of the mainstream and DeSantis has once again pandered to the most extreme fringes of the MAGA base with that endorsement. -- Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart on Vander Plaats' endorsement of DeSantis

Odds and ends

2024 watch: The super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will run a series of ads that feature Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds making a direct pitch to support DeSantis in the caucuses. Former President Donald Trump, who leads Iowa caucus polling, took to social media to again criticize Reynolds, calling her the most unpopular governor in the U.S. in a video message.

Veterans endorsement: The VoteVets Political Action Committee endorsed Lanon Baccam, a Democrat running to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District. The veterans organization seeks to elevate veterans and military families "through progressive legislative policies."

Water cooler

Des Moines indictment: Seven alleged Des Moines gang members were indicted on federal racketeering charges this past week. Prosecutors say the members of the "Only My Brothers" gang engaged in a years-long pattern of violence, including drug trafficking and attempted murder.

Younes sentenced: Alfred Younes, an Iowa man who helped his son escape to Jordan to avoid prosecution for robbery and attempted murder, was sentenced to five years in prison this past week. Younes' wife, Lima Younes, received the same sentence last month.