The state’s Revenue Estimating Conference during its regular meeting Friday at the Iowa Capitol projected continued growth of 1.5 percent for each of the next two fiscal years, growing a state budget that would surpass the $9 billion mark in the fiscal year that starts in June of 2023.
Iowa Senate Republicans all voted to reject the first set of proposed maps that would redraw statehouse and Congressional boundaries for the next 10 years. All Senate Democrats voted to approve the maps.
While senators are hearing concerns from their constituents over mask mandates and education-related topics, the Senate GOP leader said he expects this week’s special session will be confined to consideration of the proposed redistricting maps only and likely be completed in a day.
Lawmakers will convene Tuesday at the Capitol for a special session of the Iowa Legislature where they will consider the first round of proposed new election boundary maps for the redistricting process.
But legislative Democrats have pressed for more state investments in K-12 education, regent universities, water quality, pandemic recovery and other perceived needs rather than stockpiling money for more tax cuts.
Political considerations — such as whether current lawmakers would have to square off against each other in the next election — should not influence state lawmakers’ votes on proposed new political boundaries in Iowa, Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley said Friday.
A state commission will submit a report to the Iowa Legislature that indicates Iowans who offered an opinion support the first set of maps drawn by a nonpartisan state agency.
A strategic planning survey Iowa’s Board of Regents Office in June sent to more 230 Iowans — including every lawmaker, every member of the governor’s staff and every state department head — received 75 responses, including just 17 from the 200-plus lawmakers and state staffers who got it.
Iowa City would switch congressional districts from the 2nd to the 1st.
Ahead of public hearings, those commenting say congressional, legislative maps meet standards for population equality, keeping political subdivisions intact, contiguity and compactness.
As a new law out of Texas opens the door to stricter abortion policies nationwide, one Iowa woman who obtained an abortion in 2017 says she fears what further bans in the state could mean for other women.
Regardless of whether these maps are approved, they provide another illustration of how Iowa’s population --- like so many other states’ --- is shifting from rural to urban and suburban areas.
The day the redistricting plan is releases is “kind of like a kid with Christmas. You don't know what you're going to get,” House Speaker Pat Grassley said.
No current members of the U.S. House are thrown into a district with another incumbent. However, Ashley Hinson and Marianette Miller-Meeks would be in unfamiliar territory. Their would-be Democratic challengers — state Sen. Liz Mathis of Hiawatha and state Rep. Christina Bohannan of Iowa City — both would be in the new 1st District. Under the current map, Mathis is in the 1st and Bohannan in the 2nd.
The maps, based on population changes between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, will be released at 10 a.m. Thursday in a digital format, which will be available at www.thegazette.com.
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