Articles Tagged: Governor

Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered Iowa HHS to work with food banks as federal officials warn that SNAP benefits may not go out Nov. 1. Food pantries say they’re already seeing higher demand and they’re bracing for a surge if payments are disrupted.

Rob Sand wrapped up his 100 Town Hall Tour in Decorah, capping a months-long journey through all 99 counties with calls for bipartisan reform, stronger oversight of public funds, and practical action on education and water quality. “Iowans are fed up,” he said.

Iowa Rep. Carter Nordman, new chairman of House committee on tax policy, joined Gov. Kim Reynolds and local government leaders for a roundtable discussion about residential property taxes Thursday.

After the arrest of former Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts over questions about his immigration and work authorization status, Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all state agencies to use federal verification systems to confirm employment and licensing eligibility. The move has reignited debate over whether Iowa should mandate E-Verify statewide — and how reliable the system really is.

Soft drinks, candy, gum and many other foods — most of which are generally deemed to be unhealthy — will be ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits starting Jan. 1.

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday ordered all state agencies to use E-Verify and SAVE to confirm employment and immigration eligibility for new hires and professional licenses. The move follows the arrest of former Des Moines schools superintendent Ian Roberts, which exposed verification gaps and reignited debate over whether Iowa should mandate E-Verify statewide.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Steen launched his “99 Strong” statewide tour in Marion on Saturday, pledging to champion skilled trades, parental rights, property tax reform and local control. Steen also vowed to oppose eminent domain for pipelines and defend “Iowa’s culture and values.”

Iowa’s Medicaid program is projected to face tens of millions in deficits in coming years. State Auditor Rob Sand accused Republican leaders of irresponsible budgeting, while GOP lawmakers argue the state’s reserves can cover rising costs.

In her first extended statement since Friday’s arrest of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Saturday called the incident “shocking“ and said, ”We must enforce the law every time to protect our families and our future.“

Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced that Iowa was one of six states selected for a 2025 federal Charter Schools Program Grant to State Entities issued by the U.S. Department of Education.

Iowa Sen. Mike Klimesh, of Spillville, is the new legislative agenda-setting leader of the Iowa Senate, as selected by his Republican colleagues Wednesday

Kelly Garcia was the agency’s director through the COVID-19 pandemic, its consolidation into the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and a redesign of the state’s mental and behavioral health care system.

Iowa Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Rob Sand blasted Gov. Kim Reynolds’ efficiency task force as partisan, vowed to veto changes to Iowa’s public pension system, and pushed for more oversight of private school vouchers at a Cedar Rapids town hall.

New public employees would be given the opportunity to opt out of the state retirement program, and teachers would receive financial bonuses for student achievement under recommendations being put forward by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ citizen-run task force on government efficiency.

Iowa’s recidivism rate hit a 10-year low in the state’s most recent figures, but criminal justice experts say recidivism rates are limited in their portrayal of a criminal justice or state correctional system.