Politics: Hinson, husband to promote shares; Dems name for federal investigation into Anamosa killings | Tri-state Information

US representative Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, announced Friday that both she and her husband, Matt Hinsonwould sell all of their publicly traded stocks to better ensure public confidence.

Members of Congress are not required to dispose of themselves in this way when they take office. Many don’t.

Most recently, this sparked a scandal at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when it was discovered that some U.S. senators and officials, following information about the pandemic, had quickly bought and sold stocks before that information reached the public. This came to a head with an investigation of the US Senator by the Justice Department. Richard Burr, RN.C.

Hinson said Friday that her family, selling her stock, is in line with the campaign’s promises to “restore integrity and trust in the public service.”

“Keeping that promise isn’t just about working to change Washington, DC,” she said in a statement to the Telegraph Herald. “It also literally means to be ready to put my money where my mouth is.”

The Hinsons say they will only invest in widely used mutual funds and exchange-traded funds for their retirement plans.

“My constituents deserve the full confidence that only what is best for our district will guide my efforts in Washington,” said Hinson. “There should never be a doubt that I am here just to serve the people of Iowa.”

Calls for a federal investigation into the killings of Anamosa prisons

Last week, US Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa and Iowa Senate Democratic Minority Leader Zach Wahls and house minority leaders Todd Prichard sent a letter to the US Attorney General and Secretary of Labor asking for an investigation into the March 23 killings of nurses Lorena Schulte and correctional officer Robert McFarland at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. Authorities said the two were killed by inmates in a failed attempt to escape Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard Jr., both now charged with first degree murder and other charges.

“This terrible tragedy should never have happened and we believe that unfortunately this incident was completely avoidable,” the letter said.

A related press release said: “Last year, the Iowa Department of Occupational Safety and Health issued numerous warnings and serious violations (Iowa Department of Corrections) for inadequate communication and staffing in the prison. An I-OSHA report warned that Anamosa personnel did not have reliable communications equipment or adequate emergency response personnel. Rather than addressing the issues identified, the DOC denied state inspectors access to facilities for fair and independent safety assessments. “

Wahls in the publication lambasted governor. Kim Reynolds’ Responding to the murders, she “should have requested an independent outside investigation immediately” but failed to do so, which prompted the letter.

Golf remains in Des Moines in budget negotiations

The 2021 legislature session of Iowa is expected to end on its 110th day this Friday, April 30th.

According to the legislators on both sides of the aisle, however, more than the rotunda separates the two chambers under the golden dome.

In their weekly newsletter, Iowa Rep. Shannon LundgrenR-Peosta pointed to large differences between the budgetary goals of Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Republican majority in the Senate.

“The budget process is moving to the next phase, and the main differences between the House and the Senate are a $ 5 million public safety equipment fund in the house while our Senate sits from scratch,” she said. “We’re also sending a clear message to the other chamber that expanding telehealth is an important component in improving access to health care in Iowa.”

From the perspective of the minority party, it doesn’t look any better. In fact, Iowa Sen. Pam JochumD-Dubuque said she doubted lawmakers could finalize a budget in the coming week – its only requirement under the Iowa Constitution.

“The leaders and committee chairs of the House and Senate don’t even speak to each other,” she said. “My (Republican) colleagues on my Senate Ways and Means Committee come up to me and say, ‘They won’t even speak to me.'”

Jochum said the first signs of the rift came when some committees built their own budgets without referring to the appropriate committee across the Capitol.

“The committee chairs did not meet together, which we have always done in the past,” she said. “So we have 20 different household bills instead of 10. You are even polarized here within a political party.”

Lundgren criticizes the local health authority

In her newsletter, Lundgren referred to requests from the Dubuque County Board of Health for local lawmakers to encourage vaccination among constituents. She noticed that she was vaccinated and that she was convinced of the vaccines.

Then she reprimanded the board for the nationwide mask mandate that had existed since November.

“I also believe that much of the hesitation stems from the fact that the CDC and our own locally elected officials are still pressuring people (even the fully vaccinated) to wear masks, socially distant and large.” Avoid crowds, “Lundgren said in the newsletter. “Many of you (readers) have asked me why you should get the vaccine if nothing changes. My response to the (Dubuque County Board of Health) is that it is time to shift our focus from the coronavirus to the new (brain health) pandemic that it unfortunately made up. “

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• Friday, April 30th, 5:00 pm – Jackson County Republicans hold their annual spring fundraiser at the Clinton Engine Museum, 1212 E Quarry St., Maquoketa, Iowa. The cost is $ 15 for adults and $ 5 for children 10 and under. Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa Jeff Kaufmann will speak. The event features a fried chicken dinner and auction.