February 9, 2012

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Corrections director says prison population continues to drop

January 8, 2010 By

The director of the Iowa Department of Corrections announced today that there are 8,299 offenders in the state’s prison system. John Baldwin says Iowa’s prison population continues to drop after hitting a high of 8,840 inmates in October 2007. Baldwin recently attended a meeting of the Association of State Correctional Administrators and says directors from 29 states reported declines in their prison populations.

“Most (states) have stabilizing or falling prison populations, but every one of them have had to go in and make major legal changes that have impacted their prison population falling,” Baldwin told members of the Iowa Board of Corrections. He says Iowa’s falling prison population is the result of programs designed to keep offenders from reentering the system once they’re released.

“We are the only state that has had an impact by doing what we consider are evidence based practices and by putting people in the right program at the right time,” Baldwin said. A state report released in November showed fewer Iowans are being sent to prison because of felony and drug convictions.

Long range forecasts call for Iowa’s prison population to increase again to around 8,900 inmates by 2018. The projection is based on tougher sentencing standards requiring offenders convicted of violent crimes to serve at least 70% of their sentences.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Politics & Government

Gronstal places low odds on gambling proposal

January 8, 2010 By

The leader of Democrats in the Iowa Senate doesn’t put good odds on the idea of allowing gambling machines in Iowa bars and taverns.  Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs says the legislature is “highly unlikely” to approve such a move. 

“I think the legislature dealt with that a couple of years ago,” Gronstal says. 

In 2006, the Iowa legislature voted to get rid of the Iowa Lottery’s TouchPlay machines which were similar to slot machines and were installed not only in bars, but convenience stores and grocery stores. 

 ”I think people will remember that in the legislature and (say), ‘Let’s not go back there,’” Gronstal says.

This latest idea — allowing gambling machines in bars — was partly proposed as a money-maker for the state, since taxes would be collected on the winnings. In addition, some bar owners have complained the state’s smoking ban has harmed business and backers say the gambling machines in “adults-only” establishments like bars would bring in new customers. Gronstal doesn’t think the idea has gotten the backing of many legislators.

“I didn’t see a lot of people salute it when it got run up the flagpole,”Gronstal says.

Gronstal’s the guest on this weekend’s edition of “Iowa Press” on Iowa Public Television where he briefly discusses this topic and others which may come up during the 2010 legislative session.  The Iowa House and Senate are scheduled to convene on Monday at the capitol in Des Moines.

Filed Under: Business, Politics & Government Tagged With: , , , ,

Public school enrollment falls for 13th straight year

January 8, 2010 By

The report on enrollment released today by the Iowa Department of Education shows a decline in the number of public school students for the 13th straight year. Enrollment dropped by 2,279 students statewide in kindergarten through 12th grade. Department of Education director Judy Jeffrey says they expected the decline as it will be a few years before the state sees an increase in enrollment.

Jeffrey says they continue to see the enrollment growth in the rings that surround some of the largest metropolitan areas. For example, the suburbs surrounding Des Moines registered some of the largest growth, while some of the rural communities saw decreases. Two Des Moines suburbs, Waukee and Ankeny, saw the largest increase in students from 2005 through 2009.

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Filed Under: Education Tagged With:

Top Democrat in legislature not ready to embrace tax credit recs

January 8, 2010 By

The top Democrat in the Iowa Legislature still gives the state tax credit for movie and TV productions a 50/50 chance of survival, despite today’s recommendation from the governor’s top agency directors that the credit be eliminated. 

Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs says if a vote were scheduled today, he would vote to eliminate the tax credit for filmmakers, but Gronstal says lawmakers will take more time to review the matter.

“Some of the proponents of the film indusry have made the case that it creates jobs,” Gronstal says. 

According to Gronstal, changing the state’s research activities tax credit — as the governor’s aides propose — may be unwise because the credit helps keep some major businesses in Iowa. 

“I think you’ve seen the research activities credit do things for large companies like John Deere and Pioneer Hi-Bred and some of those kind of companies bring research to Iowa and that create that are very high-wage, very high-skill,” Gronstal says.

And Gronstal’s not ready to embrace the other key recommendation from the governor’s agency directors, that all of the state’s business-related tax credits be limited or “capped” annually to total no more than $185 million.

“There are some tax credits that you can make a strong case create real jobs, long term jobs and the kinds of jobs that we want in this state,” Gronstal says. 

Gronstal made his comments this morning during taping of the “Iowa Press” program which airs this weekend on Iowa Public Television.  

The 2010 legislative session is scheduled to begin Monday.

Filed Under: Business, Politics & Government, Recreation & Entertainment Tagged With: , , , ,

Supreme Court upholds firing of Ames public works employee

January 8, 2010 By

The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled the City of Ames was justified in firing a public works employee who lost his driver’s license after a drunk driving arrest. Steven Lewis had worked 18-years for the city before his arrest for O-W-I in June of 2006. His license was suspended for six months.

City officials discussed his situation, then fired him — citing the job requirement that he have a license. They say his job as a maintenance worker required him to drive a variety of vehicles from pick-ups to dump trucks. City officials among other things said the suspension of Lewis’ license came during the winter when he was particularly needed to help with snow removal.

Lewis appealed the firing, saying it was arbitrary as the city could have given him other duties during the six months when he did not have his license. The district court and appeals court agreed with Lewis. The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that Lewis’s failure to maintain his driver’s license fell within “neglect of duty, disobedience, misconduct, or failure to properly perform the person’s duties” requirement for firing under the Iowa Code.

See the full ruling here: Ames worker Supreme Court ruling PDF

Filed Under: Crime & Courts Tagged With:

Groundbreaking for new state penitentiary set for April

January 8, 2010 By

The director of Iowa’s prison system told the Board of Corrections today that architects have started drafting construction documents for a new state penitentiary in Fort Madison. John Baldwin says a groundbreaking ceremony is being planned for the third week in April.

“We hope to get the footings in for the buildings during the summer and hopefully we’ll see stuff going up before the winter snow flies,” Baldwin said. The new maximum security institution, used to house violent and repeat male prisoners, is expected to open in 2014. At that time, the current facility will be 175 years old.

The state is borrowing roughly $200 million to replace the State Penitentiary and pay for other projects. Baldwin was asked if the state’s budget concerns might prompt lawmakers to cancel plans for the new prison.

“They really can’t because the state bonded that prison and…they’re not going to put the state’s tax exempt status at risk,” Baldwin said. “They are desperate, but I would be surprised if they went down that particular path.” The push for a new maximum security institution picked up steam in 2005 after two inmates escaped the facility by scaling a wall. The escapees were captured a few days later.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Politics & Government

Lawmaker says they’ll review order on paying for court reporters

January 8, 2010 By

A state lawmaker who oversees the court system budget says he’ll be reviewing a potentially controversial order from Iowa Chief Justice Marsha Ternus. The order says in non-priority civil suits, such as foreclosures or divorces not involving children, those involved can speed up their cases by paying for their own court reporters.

The order aims to compensate for layoffs in the court system, but Representative Todd Taylor, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says it raises some questions about equal access to the courts. “I do share the concern that, you know this might be pricing justice out of the reach of people if they don’t have the money. It unlevels the playing field,” Taylor says.

Taylor says such action would be unacceptable in criminal cases. Taylor says in criminal cases usually there’s going to be some personal penalty on the line, maybe even going to prison, and you wouldn’t want to be able to let someone pay to jump in front of the line. Taylor says the chief justice is setting priorities under difficult budget circumstances.

Taylor says lawmakers will discuss alternative funding mechanisms for the courts including higher court fees, but says finding new funds for the court system will be tough.

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Politics & Government Tagged With:
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