Student Robbed at Knifepoint?, the Gas Tax Debate, and the State of the Union : Iowa City Daily Links, Jan. 24

Another year. Another State of the Union.

On to the links!

From this Site

We'll have a of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address tonight.

We had a story up this morning with an example of how raising the gas price would affect a local taxi company.

Sen. Chuck Grassley's Twitter account was by someone with a political agenda.

An unattended candle led to the this past weekend that injured one resident and killed two of their pets.

An Iowa City man was accused with two different 15-year-old girls.

There was a report of a student who was on the University of Iowa Campus.

In Parent Talk this week, we're asking if having for a child can be a bad thing.

Meet , a loveable German Shepherd. This week's featured pet in need of a good home.

Follow us on our Tumblr and submit your photos there as well.

From other Sites

Lynn Campbell of Iowapolitics.com wrote about county officials pleading for more money for road work.

Speaking of the gas tax, William Petroski of the Des Moines Register writes that Gov. Terry Branstad reaffirmed that he won't veto it if it passes both the house and senate.

Jason Noble of the Des Moines Register writes about the reaction to Gov.  Branstad's commerical property tax reform plan.

Patch will be at President Obama's visit to Cedar Rapids tomorrow. And so will Gov. Branstad.

A gas company has apologized for watering down some of the gas in Iowa City with ethanol.

China's likely next president is going to be visiting Iowa next month.

Anna Theodosis of the Daily Iowan reports that a newly proposed law could fine people at house parties for minors being there with alcohol.

A University of Iowa Senior is running to be a state representative, writes Beth Batsos of the Daily Iowan.

Is warmer weather the reason for more Iowa City burglaries? Dora Grote of the Daily Iowan investigates.

AP Computer Science is going to be offered at City High.

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day

State Representative Mary Mascher (D- Iowa City) said Gov. Branstad's softening on his veto threat has opened the door for the bill to pass.

"Before we started the session, the governor came out in opposition to the gas tax. At that time many felt it was unwise to debate a bill that was likely going to be vetoed by the governor.  He has changed his view on the gas tax and is now willing to support the legislation so in all likelihood it will be debated and passed," Mascher said in an email to Iowa City Patch.

Mascher said while she personally supports the gas tax increase recommended by the transportation study committee, she does not support the committee's recomendation to increase licensing fees on hybrid and other energy efficient vehicles.