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Iowa lawmakers may not be paying enough for insurance Jasper County officials among those paying $20 a month By The Associated Press and Justin Jagler DES MOINES — More than twothirds of Iowa’s legislators are paying hundreds of dollars less per month than they should be for their health insurance, costing taxpayers about $350,000 a year and possibly breaking a state law. The Des Moines Register analyzed
data showing that 92 of Iowa’s 149 legislators pay as little as $20 a month in health insurance premiums, rather than the $142 to $334 a month those plans call for. Nearly 40 other lawmakers pay up to $344 a month for coverage plans, rather than as much as $446 their plans call for. The newspaper found the total underpayments are costing taxpayers more than $29,000 a month, or about
$350,000 a year. The investigation comes as state lawmakers are discussing possible changes to state workers’ benefits. Both the state’s Department of Administrative Services, which provided the data, and Attorney General’s Office declined to comment to the paper. The nearly 35-year-old law that governs Iowa’s executive branch extends health insurance to legislators,
but says they’re eligible only for insurance plans made available under group plans to non-union employees. The newspaper found that state lawmakers are paying the lower health insurance premiums available to union members, while receiving the better benefits afforded in non-union plans. That means their out-of-pocket maximum costs are decreased. INSURANCE | 3A
Pint-sized Companions Local preschoolers make friends at Willowbrook By Kayla Langmaid Newton Daily News Singing, dancing and lots of smiles are guaranteed when little ones from a local preschool pay their monthly visits to Willowbrook Adult Day Center. Residents at Willowbrook Adult Day Center have formed a unique bond with some of the most energetic beings — toddlers. Over the past five months, children from Loving Hands Daycare and Preschool in Newton have been bonding with residents at the adult day center at WesleyLife. The adult day center is for residents who may suffer from memory loss or for those who want to participate in activities. Lori Howell, director of Willowbrook Adult Day Center, said she reached out to the Newton Public Library to see if there were children who regularly attended story time who would like to also visit the adult day center on a regular basis. Children’s librarian Phyllis Peter said she volunteered to coordinate the get togethers because she felt a personal connection. “My mother passed away, and she also suffered from memory loss, and she lived in Indiana,” Peter said. “I wasn’t able to attend activities with
Kayla Langmaid/Daily News Preschoolers from Loving Hands Daycare and Preschool in Newton listen to Children’s Librarian Phyllis Peter as she reads at Willowbrook Adult Day Center Wednesday. The children visit residents at Willowbrook monthly.
her all of the time, so this was my way of getting to do something similar.” Peter reached out to Alicia Weithers, owner of Lov-
ing Hands Daycare and Preschool, about having the kids visit Willowbrook monthly and Weithers loved the idea. Wednesday marked one of
the those visits. As the children came galloping in, they were eager for storytime and song time with “Ms. Phyllis,” and they were equally excit-
ed to greet their newfound friends. WILLOWBROOK | 3A
Ambulance service increase Public Works projects to go before council presented at open house By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Citizens were given the opportunity to see projects planned in the public works department at an open house on Thursday. From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., city staff was on hand at the Newton Public Library to talk through upcoming projects ranging from new sidewalks and playground equipment to street construction and repairs and work at the airport. “We had some citizens who are property owners near some of the projects stop in along with people who were at the library,” Public Works Director
Keith Laube said. Among the projects presented at the open house were the new playg r o u n d e qu ipm e nt and boulder climbing rocks that will be placed at Aurora Park. The park will consist of Laube two large, manufactured rocks that are designed for climbing and traversing in an effort to attract older middle school and high school students.
A variety of sidewalk projects were mapped out for all over the city. Many were new sidewalks bridging the gap between existing sidewalks along with connecting a piece of the hike and bike trail on North 14th Avenue East. Americans with Disabilities Act rated sidewalks to park shelters and restrooms are also planned for the coming year. Several street construction and repairs projects were laid out for the coming year along with future projects for years to come. They include various asphalt PUBLIC WORKS | 3A
By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News An increase to the rates charged for ambulance service will go before the Newton City Council at its regular meeting on Monday. The resolution is among many pieces of action including several Downtown Micro Grant Funds requests and the granting of Executive Rental Grant Funds for a downtown apartments. The Newton Fire Department is proposing a 1.2 percent increase in fees which coincides with the yearly rate schedule provided by the Center for Medicare Services. The rate is reviewed and revised every year by the department. If the rate is approved, it will
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FEATURE
WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B
go in effect immediately. Three Downtown Micro Grant Funds requests will go before the council. The first is for $33,790 from Brandi Mace to use for a multi-faceted rehabilitation project for a building at 106 to 109 N. Second Ave. E. The total project costs are estimated at $84,785. The second project is by Kayla Juni for Kayla’s Dance Company at 128 1/2 N. Second Ave. E. She has requested $321 for a sign project estimated at a total price of $642. The final project is for $2,425 from Joann Kunkel for the building at 112 N. Second Ave. W. The total project cost is
Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local News......................2A
Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A
Literacy Night at Emerson Hough
Program gives families valuable resources / 2A
Volume No. 115 No. 181 2 sections 16 pages
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