The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 18

I lv 4MThkDksMoines Register Friday. Jaii a 31 1 State Capitol Report Senator's motivation is debated I State To Drop Case Warnock abuse case unravels in Missouri Jack Rlfe's push for an ethics probe has been criticized as being politically motivated. But his defenders say that's GOP legislative leaders and the Republican governor as to take on the Democrats. Rife relished the role, frequently taking his microphone to deliver "Rife reports," a scathing, often funny, commentary on the issue of the day. Rife tends toward melodrama.

He offered a roomful of reporters this week this commentary on Us role as the Senate nag on the Welsh case: "If I'm charged with law and order here in Deadwood, so be it. If I get shot in the process, I just hope it says on my tombstone, 'At least he tried to clean the place He wasn't smiling when he said it. In a floor speech attributing his Independent counsel to oversee 6 charges i Ethics Committee Chairwoma Jean Lloyd-Jones, D-Iowa City, sal Thursday the panel must hire ind-pendent counsel for the investig-tion of six senators charged by Sfl. Joseph Welsh, D-Dubuque, wih ethics violations. i Welsh, who is the subject of a sp-arate ethics investigation, filed cm-plaints against Lloyd-Jones and Republican Sens.

Mary Kramer of Vest By UUtXY FRUHLING Rmjistkr Staff Writf.r The state of Missouri's child-abuse case against one-time Des Moines prostitute Betty L. Warnock came unraveled Parents of two definitely not the case. By THOMAS A. FOG ARTY Rkt.istkr Staff Writkr From the start, Senate Minority Leader Jack Rife has been a nag on the subject, of Sen. Joseph Welsh.

Rife, a Moscow Republican, issued the first call in December for an independent ethics panel to investigate the involvement of Welsh, a Dubuque Democrat, in the failed Iowa Trust. When Democrats rejected that call, Rife decided to press ahead within the Senate's own system for cleaning itself up. He's filed two formal complaints against Welsh, the second providing the framework for the current Ethics Committee investigation. All along, Rife has been vocal in warning about the potential disastrous effect of the Welsh case to the children whom Warnock was accused of abusing met with Kerry Rowden, the Miller County prosecuting attorney, and said afterward they were told by Rowden that he was going Des Moines, Maggie Tinsman of 5et-tendorf and Richard Drake of Mca-tine; and Democratic Sens. Gorge Kinley of Des Moines and Berl Piebe of Algona.

I The independent counsel fr the Welsh investigation, Patrick Rity of Cedar Rapids, would have a ctulict in working on the Welsh case 8 well as the other six, she said. "Its very convoluted," she said. Lloyd-Jones and Drake, trt ranking Republican on the commitee, are not participating in deliberaSons on the complaints against themJ a 1 At I i -i t. A -i i jt; T. Warnock Former Iowan troubles to partisan politics, Welsh on Monday alluded to an incident that Democrats cite as an indication of Rife's insincerity.

Shortly after the Iowa Trust failure, Rife and Sen. George Kinley, D-Des Moines, stopped for a drink at Pal Joey's Lounge, a Des Moines tavern owned by Welsh's father-in-law, Joseph Yacavona. "Just Politics" "They were joking about the matter, saying it's just politics and not to worry about things," Welsh told colleagues. Rife says now he regrets stopping at the bar, which he and his friend Kinley have frequented in the past. Yacavona apparently misinterpreted his comments, Rife said.

"I told him it wasn't personal at all, that it was something I had to do," said Rife. "Joe Welsh and I chose this life. We're in the fishbowl. But I do feel bad about the families involved." Rife's future in the Senate is uncertain. Reapportionment placed him in a district with Sen.

Richard to drop the case against Warnock next Monday. Warnock, 52, was charged 14 months ago with three counts of sod-' omy involving one boy and two girls Jeft in her care at a baby-sitting serv-: ice she had opened in the Lake of the GOP anti-crime plan also targets stalking future of the Legislature. So what's going on here? To Senate Majority Leader Bill Hutchins, D-Audubon, Rife is motivated by sheer politics. Rife's constant harping on the issue is "tearing this Senate down a brick at a time," Hutchins said this week. "He's No Phony" Rife and his defenders say that's not the case.

"He's no phony," says Sen. John Soorholtz, R-Melbourne, a key supporter of Rife's move to become GOP leader before the 1991 session. Although Rife has made a name over the years for stirring things up at times just for the sake of breaking the legislative tedium, that's not the case here, says Soorholtz. "He's dead serious on this," Soor Ozarks area of south-central Missou-. ri.

None of the children was older than 4. Deborah Marquart, the mother of one of the children, said she and an-. other parent were told by Rowden on Thursday that he was going to drop the charges because of a number of reversals in hearings this week to determine what evidence could be used by the state in nock's trial in March. "I think the system has failed us, BOB NANDEUTlIK REGISTER Sen. Jack Rife, R-Moscow, explains to fellow senators Monday his filing of a formal ethics charge against Joseph Welsh, D-Dubuque.

Senate Republicans on Thunday unveiled an anti-crime proposal that would outlaw stalking and provide tougher criminal penalties for carrying weapons near schools, for diunk-en driving and for using a child in a drug deal. Attorney General Bonnie Campbell, a Democrat, also has proposed outlawing stalking, which is the act of harassing or terrorizing soneone over a prolonged period of tmi The two versions of the bill differ it how the crime is defined and the punishment they prescribe. of. He has tremendous pride in being part of it." Rife, 48, the married father of two, farms. He's a 1961 graduate of Wilton High School and a 1966 graduate of Iowa State University.

He had little interest in electoral politics until he was asked to help in a friend's race for the House in 1984. He ended up running for the Senate himself that same year. Rife arrived in the Senate in 1985 and developed a reputation as an outsider. He was as likely to take on Drake, R-Muscatine. Rife said he intends to move his residence a few miles north into Cedar County.

That sets up a 1992 race against Sen. Beverly Hannon, D-Anamosa, a proven campaigner who defeated established politicians in 1984 and 1988. and the kids are going to suffer, not Mrs. Warnock," Marquart said. "She's going to walk." Rowden could not be reached.

His office said he would have a state- ment on the case Monday. In a series of rulings this week, a holtz said. "He looks at the Senate as an institution we should all be proud Bill would legalize i the sale of fireworks Tough Future A.Sfx:iATtl)l'KK.Sfi A southern Iowa lawmaker Thurs Campaign contributions for Varn used on computer and programs day renewed his effort to legalize the sale of fireworks in the state. Rep. Dan Jay, D-Moulton, a Plan to tax health care discussed software extensively in his day-to-day activities as a longtime supporter of legalizing works, introduced a bill to legalize them and give the state's fire marshal authority to regulate them.

He conceded his effort faces an up-. hill fight because it is opposed by By JOHN CARLSON Rkglstkh Stakf Writkr Miller County circuit court judge determined that the testimony of only one of the three children involved was credible enough to be used in Warnock's trial. The Judge, James Franklin, threw out the evidence gathered during a police search of Warnock's home and i baby-sitting service. Franklin ruled that he would not allow testimony concerning War-i. nock's conviction in Des Moines in 1982, when she and her late hus- band, George, were found guilty of running a child-care service without a license and locking children in small wooden boxes.

In that episode, Warnock and her husband were jailed for 30 days and fined $1,000 each. Warnock was convicted of prostitution in Des Moines in the early 1970s. firefighters and public safety groups. Jay has tried to get such a bill passed several times without State Sen. Richard Varn spent more than $3,500 in campaign contributions to purchase computer equipment and programs over the last two years, according to Cl 1 1 By THOMAS A.

F0GARTY Rhustkr Staff Writkr success. uiAuiitenus nieu wiui uie lows iun- Legalization is popular in southern Iowa because Missouri fireworks stands sell them each year just before the Fourth of July. paign finance uisciosure uommis-sion. Files show that "Voters for Varn," the Solon Democrat's campaign organization, bought $2,258.41 in computer-related goods before last July 1, the date it became illegal for state officials to use campaign money to buy items for personal use. Democratic leaders in the Iowa Senate on Thursday predicted a tough road this session for Gov.

Terry Branstad's plan to help reduce the state budget deficit by taxing health care providers. Branstad, legislative leaders and Appointment senator. "I use it for legislative work all the time," said Varn. "I use it the way I breathe." Varn said he believes he is within his rights to use the computer to prepare newsletters for constituents and answer constituent mail in non-campaign situations because such uses could be seen as political. He also said he will seek a formal ruling from Williams as to what is allowed.

Varn, according to the documents, paid 1 ,330.41 for a computer printer, $728 for computer software and $50 for adding to the memory of his computer, in a two-week span in September 1990. He charged no additional computer purchases to his campaign account until last July 23, when he spent $736.76 to upgrade his computer. He said Wednesday that involved the trade-in of an old computer and purchase of a new unit. That was three weeks after the new law went into effect, banning the use of campaign money for uses outside the campaign. Over the next four months he spent $300 in campaign money to purchase an 80-megabyte hard drive for his computer, and $106.88 for additional software and equipment.

Last September he spent $103.99 to purchase a computer warranty. Chairman Sen. Ralph Rosen berg, D-Ames, has been named to be However, after July 1, Varn pur an estimated 50 representatives of the Iowa health care industry met the chairman of the justice system appropriations subcommittee. Ro-1 Varn chased another $1,247.63 in computer-related items. Daily work Thursday at the Capitol to discuss the proposed tax, which would gen senberg replaces Sen.

Michael Gron Kay Williams, executive director of The Missouri case against Warnock stemmed from a child-care operation she opened in early 1990 at Lake Ozark. Another charge connected with the Missouri case accusing Warnock of burning a child with a cigarette was dropped earlier. Charges against her son, Gerald, 22, also were dropped earlier. He had been accused of sexually abusing the two little girls involved in the charges against his mother. erate about $60 million next year for deficit reduction.

"They all have problems with it," stal, D-Council Bluffs, who last week was elected Senate president. Senate Majority Leader Bill Hutchins, D-Au-dubon, made the appointment to the subcommittee, which oversees spending by the courts and prison system. I the Campaign Finance Disclosure Commission, would not say that purchases made after July 1 by the Varn committee were a violation of the law. But she said the new law mandates that campaign money be used "only for campaign purposes." Varn said Wednesday he uses the new computer and Senate Majority Leader Bill Hutchins, D-Audubon, said of the reaction from health care industry represen tatives. "Obviously, it'll be tough (to pass) if you get them all lined up and you don't give them concessions for 'Get Out of the Bind' the problems they've got with the plan." I in the Legislature -1 PASSEDBYTHE LEGISLATURE S.F.

2064 Creates low-Interest loan program for local government units that lost money In the Iowa Trust scandal. Senate nauail Hutchins said Branstad should be prepared to negotiate details of the Loans for Iowa Trust victims approved 47-0. House passage. 98-0. To governor.

PASSED IN THE SENATE 0 S.F. 2034 Makes a series of changes in law governing the Iowa Department of Revenw and Finance. 47-0. To House. F.

2035 Allows adoptive father to avc crura jupport payments when the adoption is muweu uy irauo. I nouse. S.F. 2039 Clarifies provisions of law plan with the various segments of the health care industry, even if it means less money for deficit reduction. Under the plan, which is in effect in a majority of states, the tax Branstad prefers the word "assessment" would be imposed on doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacists and the like.

The money would draw federal Medicaid money governing area education agencies administrlon ot Medicaid services. 46-0 To House. S. F. 201 3 Changes procedures of the Here are the members of a committee that will study government ethics for the Legislature: DEMOCRATS Mark McCormlck, former Iowa Supreme Court justice.

Rachel Fulton of Waterloo, a former Black Hawk County supervisor. Nolden Gentry, a Des Moines lawyer and former Des Moines school board member. Mary Richards of Ames, the Story County attorney. Bob Rush, a Cedar Rapids lawyer who is a member of the Iowa Campaign Finance Disclosure Commission. Joanne Stockdale, a Spirit Lake businesswoman who serves on the executive committee of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

REPUBLICANS Arthur Neu, a former lieutenant governor. Robert Allbee of West Des Moines, a former Supreme Court justice. Jackie Manatt of Ames, president of the League of Women Voters of Iowa. Rick Morain, editor and publisher of the Jefferson Bee and Herald. Mary Louise Smith of Des Moines, a Republican National Committee member.

Betty Snyder, the mayor of Clinton. Legislature Administrative Rules Review lommmee. e-o. to House. I S.F.

2032 Allows brew pubs to sell bee wholesalers for resale. 45-0. To House. H.F. 2061 Sets procedures for transfelng' assets of cities' police and fire pension fundi) I ataratioof 2-to-l.

nouse. ine additional federal money would free some of the state's gener INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE AsStX3.TKI)PKK!M law giving officials the authority to issue the bonds for the loan program. The bill goes to Gov. Terry Bran-stad for his signature. "It'll be handled quickly," said Richard Vohs, a spokesman for the governor.

A committee formed by Branstad to review government investment laws in the wake of the scandal recommended the plan. An estimated $75 million was diverted late from Iowa Trust, a local government investment pool. Steven D. Wymer, the fund's California investment adviser, was charged with fraud in with the money's disappearance. Officials have estimated that about one-half of the 88 cities, coun S.F.

2069 Directs the Natural Retirees Commission to establish an edopt-a-pffc pro al tax money now being spent on the Medicaid program for deficit reduction. Enough money would remain in gram. By Hagerla. S.F. Z070 Regulates liquor purcl By Hagerla the Medicaid program to allow in S.F.

2071 Expands the definition operat ing wniie intoxicated. By Lind and ot creased reimbursement rates to State ethics panel named health care service providers. The tax is controversial because all health care practitioners and service r. 2072 Creates a criminal ofterd forpos-sesskm of a dangerous weapon in a weonfre rone. By Pate and others.

I i INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE H.F. 21 19 Exempts physician'slssistjnts from liability for following a doctor's rderi. By Krebsbach. H.F. 2120 Allows the state Areharsrsi to regulate fireworks.

By Jay. i H.F. 2121 Allows the creatiotof cointy charter commissions. By Local Goverment Com- providers would pay it whether they "While the recent allegations of served Medicaid patients or not. By JONATHAN R00S Rkuistkr Staff Writkr unethical conduct have diminished public confidence in the Legislature, they have also created a climate for Senate President Michael Gron The which would help cash-strapped governments, nowgoestoBranstad.

By JONATHAN R00S Rkgistkr Staff Writer The Iowa Legislature Thursday approved a plan to help local govern-, ments that lost money in the Iowa Trust scandal by offering them emergency loans. Cash-starved cities, counties and other public bodies that participated in the failed investment fund would be able to obtain low-interest loans from the Iowa Finance Authority, a state agency. "This bill is to help them with their short-term problem of meeting their payroll and help them get out of the bind that they find themselves in," said Rep. Eugene Blanshan, D-2 Scranton, chairman of the House State Government Committee. The loans, which may be available in a matter of weeks, could be used to pay bills and meet other pressing financial needs.

Most loans probably would be for one to two years. The Finance Authority would raise the money for the loans by sell-. ing $20 million to $30 million in -i bonds to private investors. Local I governments would be responsible for the payments. By a vote of 88-0 in the House and 47-0 in the Senate, lawmakers gave -quick approval to a change in state stal, D-Council Bluffs, said Bran F.

2122 Allows fiKnc of Detitns oneer- stad plan represents an unusual mits for waste disposal facilities. BtPavichand) Jesse. Six lawyers are among the 12 Iowans named by Democratic legislative leaders Thursday to a committee that will study government ethics rules. The bipartisan committee will be F. 2123 Permits lam schoi dn tries to opportunity to reclaim federal tax money paid by Iowans.

ties and other public bodies that had money in the $106.9 million Iowa Trust fund when it collapsed would take advantage of the loan program. Some of the missing money was for local government operations. Without it, government bodies may have trouble paying bills in the months ahead. The Iowa Finance Authority program would help tide them over with loans bearing interest rates of 5 percent or less. With the exception of money that elect board members in director disfKts.

H.F. 2124 Requires trensporttion offbats to adopt rules about adopt-e-highray signt By Beatty. "It's a way to go to Washington, 2 1 25 Increases the handhr. fee omev- D.C., and take $120 million that Iowans currently send there in rage conteinen). By Shoutti and oners.

F. 2126 Frovides conuensatien fer taxes, said Gronstal. dearxng homode scenes. By JurJtiery Corml-tee. i H.F.

2127 Includes some dnsatetiers in tte House Speaker Bob Arnould, D- reform, said House Speaker Bob Ar-nould, D-Davenport. Republican leaders have criticized the move because they weren't consulted. They said formation of the committee is an attempt by Democrats to deflect attention from the ethics probe of Welsh, a Dubuque Democrat. They say the investigation should be completed before lawmakers turn their attention to reform of ethics laws. Among the issues that the committee is expected to take up are conflicts of interests, lobbyist relations, acceptance of gifts, campaign finance, legislators' compensation and expenses, and the structure of the Legislature.

same classification as law entoroment offices for retirement purposes By krbaeh. 4 Davenport, said the meeting, in H.F. 2128 Prevent! the mtome of me which some industry representa spouse from being considered when suppct orders are mocMied By BarU. headed by former Lt. Gov.

Arthur Neu, a Republican, and former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark McCor-mick, a Democrat Neu practices law in Carroll and McCormick is a Des Moines lawyer. Democratic leaders, whose party controls the Legislature, decided to form the citizens committee in the wake of the Iowa Trust scandal and the Senate Ethics Committee's investigation of Sen. Joseph Welsh's ties to the failed local government investment fund. tives complained about being singled n.r ii a Repeals a requrenent that sup out, doesn't jeopardize the proposal visor proceedmgs be published wMeen. i may be appropriated by the Legislature to back up loans for two judicial districts that invested in Iowa Trust, no state money will be involved.

The Iowa Finance Authority presently arranges financing for a variety of programs, including housing assistance and public works 21 30 Rextures some CDorate nconl at the moment tax mtormation be made pubkc lv Bemeu. H.F 2131 Allows the mrm en the driver's. We're assuming it's on the table, and we'll move forward with it," cense for those 11 and youn tonvicled of 4 tenses ewolving alcohol or other drugs. By Stsgnl said Arnould. "We're just trying to F.

2132 ProhOts conVbustMe shoteu work out the details." shells. By Judioary Commmee.