Articles Tagged: Iowa Legislature

The state education budget lawmakers finalized early Wednesday includes a fraction of the $22.1 million increase Iowa’s public universities sought for the upcoming budget year.

Charles City Democratic Rep. Todd Prichard, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, opposed the bill. He noted the AR-15 type rifles allowed for hunting were similar to those he was trained to use in the military and that the ammunition authorized in the bill can travel up to 2½ miles.

Proposed changes to K-12 education, including private school tuition assistance and enhanced transparency requirements, did not pass the Iowa Legislature

The state’s judicial nominating process was debated on multiple fronts as legislators pushed toward adjournment for the year

Feb. 1 would be observed as George Washington Carver Day in recognition his scientific and agricultural accomplishments and global humanitarian achievements, and to acknowledge Iowa State University and Simpson College, which allowed a Black man to persevere through racial barriers and fulfill his potential.

Kris Gulick, who served on the Cedar Rapids City Council from 2006 to 2018, is running in Senate 40 because he believes Iowa’s second-largest metro area "needs a voice in the Iowa Senate majority.“

An amendment to a state Department of Revenue bill included the exemption, adding Iowa to what has become a nationwide movement to remove sales taxes on menstrual products and diapers.

Although the proposed moratorium is dead, its sponsor believes lawmakers who supported it sent a signal on behalf of Iowa landowners who are opposed to the use of eminent domain to secure private land for pipeline projects.

SF 2378, which will take effect July 1 if signed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, will raise the handling fee from 1 to 3 cents per container, let distributors continue to retain the unredeemed deposits, which are estimated to be as much as $40 to $50 million a year and let retailers that meet certain condition opt out of redeeming containers.

Cedar Rapids leaders were preparing to applying to the state for a new casino in their third such effort since 2014.

The Republican House Speaker said there is not enough votes among House Republicans to pass one of Reynolds’ top legislative priorities

Statehouse Democratic leaders posted better fundraising numbers than Republicans

On this week’s edition of the On Iowa Politics Podcast: the Democratic debate/primary; what’s a governor’s endorsement worth; COVID-19 and the campaign; bipartisanship; and free the weed; the Legislature – is the end in sight.

Liz Mathis, a Democratic congressional candidate from Hiawatha, previously described herself as co-owner of a marketing business, but the company says she was never was.

Lawmakers are expected to return next week and undergo the final legislative push to adjournment