Articles Tagged: Iowa Legislature

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.

On this week’s edition of the On Iowa Politics podcast: LGBTQ bills, Iowa’s new state education director and 2024 Republican Iowa Caucuses

The lawmaker who crafted the proposal disagrees and says it is designed simply to protect Iowans’ personal information

Also, language barrier grants go to Iowa businesses

LGBTQ Iowans say ban and other bills will harm their community, especially children

Iowa schools would have fewer requirements on what they teach and how they provide instruction under a bill the Iowa Senate passed Tuesday.

The Iowa Senate voted 34-15 Tuesday to advance Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal to reorganize state government. Senate Democrats presented 11 amendments to the bill, most proposing to strike a proposed change and keep a state agency where it currently resides within state government. All of the Democrats’ proposals were rejected by Republicans.

DES MOINES — A bill giving Iowans more control over their personal data online is one step closer to law after passing in the Senate on Monday.

Several hundred people crowded the west steps of the Iowa State Capitol to protest LGBTQ-related bills lawmakers are considering this year. They held signs that said “Trans People Belong in Iowa” and referenced the state’s motto — “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” They flew rainbow and trans pride flags.

Among the bills that didn't survive Friday's “funnel” deadline were those dealing with abortion as the governor’s office and legislative leaders await an Iowa Supreme Court ruling on a “heartbeat” law that would ban abortions after 6 weeks.

Same-sex marriage, medical marijuana proposals fail to clear first ‘funnel’ hurdle

The three-member commission for the blind had been down to just one after one member retired and another passed away.

Today’s funnel is the first key deadline that winnows the number of bills that remain eligible for consideration for the remainder of the legislative session.

State government reorganization, bills impacting LGBTQ students and youth, gun regulations and more were passed overnight Thursday into early Friday