Week in Iowa: Recap of news from across the state

Reynolds signs AEA bill: Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill overhauling the funding and operation of Iowa's area education agencies, notching a win on her top policy priority after 11 weeks of negotiation between House and Senate Republicans. Flanked by lawmakers and state education officials, Reynolds said the law would bring "meaningful and necessary reform" to the system.

In addition to AEA changes, the law will increase state aid to K-12 schools by 2.5 percent and raise the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 over two years. The special education funding that now goes to the AEAs will go to the school districts, who will need to continue using the AEAs for 90 percent of that money or send it into the school's general fund. It also gives schools control over their media and other education services that now fund the AEAs.

Eminent domain review passed: The Iowa House passed a bill last week that would allow landowners to ask a court to review eminent domain authority of proposed pipeline projects before the project receives approval from the Iowa Utilities Board. It is unclear whether the Senate will consider the bill. The measure comes out of opposition to the construction of carbon dioxide pipelines proposed in the state.

Reynolds deploying troops: Gov. Kim Reynolds is sending another round of National Guard troops and state police officers to the U.S.-Mexico border to aid Texas' border enforcement efforts. Ten Iowa Department of Public Safety officers and troopers were set to deploy Sunday for 28 days. Also, 110 Guard members will deploy between April 1 and May 3, while another five will deploy for vehicle maintenance and public affairs support from April 1 to Sept. 30.

Lawmakers criticize Davenport transparency: An Iowa House committee heard from witnesses about the lack of transparency from the city of Davenport over settlement agreements signed in secret and approved without a public vote. Lawmakers called Davenport's handling of public records "disgraceful" and said they would like to seek more information about how the city handled its $1.6 million separation with its former administrator and responded to public records requests.

Davenport separated with its former city administrator over harassment claims last year without a public vote, and it has resisted moves from reporters, the public and state officials to disclose more information about the circumstances of the separation. The city is being sued by area resident Allen Diercks and is suing Davenport resident David Ezra Sidran to determine whether a record should be disclosed.

Fertilizer spill causes large fish kill: More than 750,000 fish in a 60-mile stretch along a western Iowa river were killed after a fertilizer spill that dumped more than 250,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer into the East Nishnabotna river earlier this month, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. It was one of the largest fish kills on record, stretching from Red Oak, Iowa, into Missouri.

They said ...

“Some schools haven’t used some of the AEA services despite being forced to pay for them. Others have felt that they didn’t receive the quality that they expect. And many schools, urban and rural, large and small, have raised concerns about a lack of transparency regarding the cost of AEA services.” -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds after signing AEA changes into law

“Parents, educators, students and community leaders changed the course of this legislation. They prevented Republican politicians from fast-tracking this bill and exposed Gov. Reynolds’ misplaced priorities.” -- Iowa Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, on the new AEA law

Odds and ends

Budget targets: Iowa House and Senate Republicans released their targets for state spending last week, looking to spend close to $9 billion on state operations and services. House Republicans set their budget target at $8.95 billion while Senate Republicans set an $8.87 billion target. The number is well below expected revenue, which GOP leaders say is a sign further tax cuts are needed.

Pipe tax passes: A higher excise tax on glass and metal pipes — which are sold as tobacco products but often are used to smoke marijuana — is headed to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk for a signature. The bill would tax the products at 40 percent and use the revenue to create specialty courts to address substance abuse and mental health issues.

Water cooler

Iowa gymnastics: University of Iowa Athletics is conducting a review of gymnastics head coach Larissa Libby amid concerns about the culture and environment of the program, the university said Thursday. Libby was placed on administrative leave while the review takes place, but the department said it is not a disciplinary measure.

Tax amendments proposed: Iowa Republican lawmakers are looking to enshrine their tax-cutting agenda into the Iowa Constitution. They are proposing a pair of constitutional amendments that would require a two-thirds majority vote of the Legislature to raise income taxes and require the state to have a flat tax. The proposals would need to be passed by two separate general assemblies and then approved by a majority of Iowa voters in a ballot measure.