DES MOINES — Iowa state law enforcement officers and National Guard troops are being sent to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas to assist authorities there with immigration enforcement, Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office announced.
Eight Iowa State Patrol troopers and two sergeants from the Iowa Department of Public Safety will deploy Sunday for 28 days.
The Iowa National Guard will conduct two missions in Texas: 110 Guard members will support the Texas Military Department’s security objectives, deploying April 1 until May 3; another five Guard members will provide ground vehicle maintenance and public affairs support, deploying April 1 through Sept. 30.
It will be the third time Reynolds has deployed Iowans to assist Texas authorities with border security. In 2021, she dispatched 30 Iowa State Patrol officers. Last year, Reynolds sent 31 Iowa State Patrol officers and 109 Iowa National Guard troops for separate one-month deployments.
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“President Biden and his administration have failed to protect the sovereignty of our borders and the safety of the American people. What Texas faces is nothing short of an invasion with historic levels of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs entering our country,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Now, every state is a border state and with that comes a duty to protect the people of Iowa.”
As with previous deployments of Iowa personnel, according to the governor’s office, all costs related to the latest deployments will be covered by federal pandemic relief funding, from the American Rescue Plan that President Joe Biden signed into law in 2021 and Reynolds opposed.
Last year’s deployment cost $2 million, according to the governor’s office.
“These deployments will help Texas on the front lines of this crisis,” Reynolds said in her statement. “I am grateful to all the members of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Iowa National Guard for volunteering for the deployment. It’s a testament to their leadership and willingness to serve.”
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SET SPENDING TARGETS
Iowa House and Senate Republicans are $83 million apart on a proposed state budget of just under $9 billion as the two Republican majority chambers begin the process of setting the next year’s state spending plan.
Republican leaders in the two chambers announced their respective budget targets Thursday.
Iowa’s next state budget year begins July 1.
In the current state budget year, the state is projected to spend more than $8.55 billion, according to the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.
Iowa House Republicans announced a state general fund budget target of $8.95 billion for the next state fiscal year. Iowa Senate Republicans set a target of $8.87 billion.
Gov. Kim Reynolds in January proposed an $8.91 billion state budget.
“Every year Senate Republicans have stuck with their budget principles, and this budget target continues that commitment,” Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said in a statement. “It provides sustainable, responsible funding increases for education, law enforcement and health care while respecting every Iowan who pays taxes to support those services.”
Statements from Senate and House Republican leaders indicated further reductions of state taxes can be expected in the final weeks of the current session of the Iowa Legislature.
“Iowa House Republicans have once again proposed a responsible funding plan for the state,” Rep. Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf and chairman of the House budget committee, said in a statement. “Our caucus has built a reputation for being responsible with taxpayer money, funding Iowans’ priorities and returning dollars to Iowans through tax cuts. Iowans expect this of House Republicans, and once again we are prepared to deliver.”
House Republicans also published targets for departmental budgets. The Senate announced only its overall spending target.
Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, D-Waterloo and the top Democrat on the House budget committee, in a statement criticized legislative Republicans for producing the state budget “behind closed doors.”
“In the closing days of session, House Democrats will be focused on making sure the state budget reflects the priorities of Iowans, not the special interests,” Brown-Powers said in the statement. “That means putting people over politics to raise wages, lower costs, and invest in public schools.”
IOWA HISTORICAL SOCIETY NAMES NEW LEADER
Valerie Van Kooten of Pella has been named the new administrator of the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Van Kooten succeeds Susan Kloewer, who last October was named chief advancement officer for The United Way of Central Iowa.
Van Kooten is owner and founder of Van Kooten Grant Consulting and has served as the executive director of Pella Historical Museums. In the latter, she oversaw a $2.7 million capital fundraising campaign and the renovation of Wyatt Earp’s boyhood home, according to the state.
“I am immensely humbled to take the reins of the State Historical Society of Iowa, as I have loved this institution since I was a little girl,” Van Kooten said in a news release.
“I am grateful for growing up in a very history-oriented family, which gave me a love for our state and the knowledge that Iowa’s history must be preserved and promoted. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff at the museum, archives and library, and historic sites.”
Van Kooten holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University and holds one of only 475 Grant Professional Certifications in the country, according to the state.