Erin Murphy

House Speaker says statehouse Republicans forced to ‘do something’ because of inaction by federal government

Auditor Rob Sand’s office withheld nine emails between his off and two journalists, citing an open records law exemption for records that are part of an audit. The Iowa Supreme Court disagreed with that characterization and said Sand’s office must provide more evidence to justify withholding the emails from the conservative organization seeking their release.

Inconsistent procedures across counties were apparent in a 2020 recount of a Congressional election, but the Iowa Legislature declined to update state elections laws regarding recounts.

Here’s a look at which legislation was approved during the 2024 session of the Iowa Legislature.

Among the new initiatives in next year’s budget are increased salaries for judges, funding for a new state Division of Special Education, and funding to increase accessibility at Iowa’s state parks.

Iowa legislative leaders and Gov. Kim Reynolds discuss the legislative session, which concluded early Saturday morning after a 20-hour work day.

The proposal will reduce Iowans’ state income tax burden — and limit future state revenue growth — by $1 billion over the first two years.

The bill is a streamlined version of a proposal made earlier this year by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, told The Gazette last year that the state missed out on luring a large solar energy manufacturer to the state because of a lack of the kind of incentives in the agency’s proposal.

Cities would be required to apply for a state permit to operate automated traffic enforcement cameras, and spend ticket revenue on public safety or transportation infrastructure.

However, one Iowa economics expert said a recent settlement involving the National Association of Realtors will have a ‘substantial’ impact on the real estate industry

The governor says the new state program will help grow existing summer meal sites; critics say it will fall well short of what the federal program would have offered.

Added to the legislation was a ban on food assistance benefits from being used to purchase egg substitute products.

The Senate has been hesitant to take up legislation dealing with eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines in Iowa.

A state lawmaker says it may be time to consider repealing the state law that places a 5-cent deposit on most plastic and aluminum beer and soda containers