Caleb McCullough, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau

Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said he received a letter Wednesday from the FBI in response to a request for records that allegedly describe an unspecified “criminal scheme” involving Democratic President Joe Biden.

Iowa lawmakers reshaped education and state government, restricted transgender youth and property taxes — and more

State lawmakers have completed their work for the year, concluding a session that was momentous and often contentious

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies would see a near $30 million budget cut at the same time they expect an increase in the number of private school students who need special education services under a proposed budget from statehouse Republicans.

The bill, as amended, no longer requires that caucus participants register with a party at least 70 days in advance of the caucuses. Instead, parties could determine their own participation rules for their caucuses.

Trump’s last visit the state was in March, where he took shots during a stop in Davenport at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another likely candidate in the Republican contest, who will be in Iowa the same day.

With the state budgeting process underway, lawmakers are hoping to finish that up and pass lingering policy bills by the end of the week.

But they want year-round sales to become permanent

Bills would direct more money to the Iowa governor’s office, maternal health care and foreign animal disease preparedness, and away from water quality monitoring.

“The bill is the greatest pro-corruption bill and the worst perversion of checks and balances in Iowa’s history because it lets state government hide documents from auditors, and ends judicial review of such decisions,” Auditor Rob Sand said afterwards.

Fate of property tax relief, loosening child labor laws and gun law is still up in the air.

Senate Bill would require permits and likely redirect some of the revenue.

Proposals would restrict school library books, limit LGBTQ instruction, cut regulations

Senators confirmed and advanced several of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ appointments to Iowa boards and commissions Wednesday, including two appointees to the three-member board tasked with approving three controversial carbon dioxide capture pipeline proposals.

Despite differences between the House and Senate proposals on property taxes, lawmakers said they were getting closer to an agreement.