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The longest-serving Republican in the Iowa Legislature has announced he’s switching to the Democratic Party, and that narrows the party split in the Iowa House of Representatives to 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.
Representative Andy McKean of Anamosa says the statehouse is much more partisan than when he was first elected in 1978.
0423mckean2: 09 “I think the party has veered very sharply to the right. And that concerns me—it’s a bit further than I would care to be.”
McKean says he considers himself a moderate and thinks there is room for him in the Democratic Party. He also says he’s unable to support President Trump in the upcoming 2020 election, and that the country will pay a heavy price for Trump’s policies and rhetoric.
House Minority Leader Todd Prichard says the Democrats are “thrilled” to have McKean join them. Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer said in a statement she respects McKean’s decision.
Whether sports betting will become legal in Iowa now rests with Gov. Kim Reynolds.
A proposal to legalize betting on professional and college athletics, and on daily fantasy sports, gained the approval of state lawmakers in the Iowa House yesterday.
Sioux City has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Sioux City achieved this recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: developing a tree board or department; a tree care ordinance; an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita; and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation