Government & Politics

Construction soon will begin on the multiyear revitalization of the Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Rapids’ Ellis Park, a space that honors the works of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare.

The proposal also would add $10,00 to the pay of each statewide elected official.

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

According to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 14 percent of Iowa’s 422 nursing facilities were cited for insufficient staffing in fiscal 2023.

Iowa’s majority Republican lawmakers are angling for a quick wrap-up to this year’s legislative session, as they look toward funding the state government and cutting taxes, along with the last remaining policy items on their agenda.

The sprawling bill, which spans more than 250 pages, eliminates a number of boards that are no longer meeting or serve a function that is no longer needed, while other eliminations called for in the bill have caused concern among some lawmakers and advocacy groups.

Also, Republicans advanced a measure to ban future guaranteed basic income programs in Iowa.

Johnson County officials have described the proposed budget for next fiscal year as one that includes minor changes, as spending for programs and services were adjusted, but not cut.