Articles Tagged: Iowa Legislature

A look back at the top news stories from (mostly) the week of March 13

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order March 8 protecting trans people, families and care providers from prosecution for traveling to Minnesota for gender-affirming care. It was the same day the Iowa Legislature passed a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. As Minnesota works to portray itself as a welcoming place, will families of transgender children travel or move to seek refuge there?

On this week’s edition of the On Iowa Politics podcast: our reporters who were on the ground give us their impressions of last week’s events featuring Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, the massive legislation to reorganize the executive branch of state government is on Gov. Reynolds’ hand, and the train companies have made a deal.

A law passed last year by Iowa legislators allows schools to stock Narcan for free, and Cedar Rapids has taken advantage of that.

Legislation that would prohibit transgender youth from using school bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity is headed to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature.

Also, House Speaker Grassley says further state income tax reductions not likely this year

State lawmakers debated what kind of impact the proposal would have on government services, including education.

The Iowa House passed a more than 1,500-page bill that would cut the number of cabinet-level state agencies and eliminate hundreds of vacant positions. The bill now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature.

If the proposal becomes law, Iowa would join 17 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing the dispensing of birth control without a prescription.

A state lawmaker said he plans to still move legislation that would dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa

Also, Gov. Kim Reynolds’ sweeping state government realignment proposal moved one step closer to law.

Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, filed objections Monday with the Iowa Utilities Board to oppose pipelines proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator CO2 Ventures.

Iowa Democrats and some state employees say they’re concerned a bill that was introduced to reorganize state government will cut too many employees from Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which could eliminate federal funding and reduce the services available to some Iowans.

A look back at the top news stories from the week of March 6

Emboldened by six years of conservative reforms under their belts and multiple elections that expanded their majorities in the House and Senate, Iowa Republicans have felt empowered to push a more conservative agenda. It coincides with the 2024 GOP race for president, softening the ground for candidates to campaign on the same themes.