Similar to previous hearings, speakers on Monday were divided between those who said a flatter tax rate would make Iowa a more attractive place for businesses and employees, and those who said the plan benefits the wealthy while doing little to help lower-income workers.
During a rally at the Iowa Capitol on Monday, a coalition of advocacy organizations called for a moratorium on new factory farms. Elsewhere at the Capitol: Senate Republicans advance changes to Iowa’s unemployment system, including a reduction in the time to receive benefits.
Public K-12 schools in Iowa are in line for a 2.5 percent increase in state funding under a proposal that cleared the Iowa Legislature on Monday and is on its way to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk.
Opponents said proposal would diminish the ability of county conservation boards and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to acquire land.
State considering some version of the GOP idea include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and West Virginia.
On this week’s edition of the On Iowa Politics Podcast: other caucuses; a quiet week in the Legislature; and legitimate political discourse.
Her story has taken on new relevancy now as Republican lawmakers in Iowa assail public school districts for making library books available that they’ve dubbed “obscene,” many written by LGBTQ authors and people of color
Teacher shortages across the state have caused Iowa lawmakers to consider changes in teacher preparation and certification. But one education leader warns the state not to reduce preparation or mentoring if you want to retain teachers.
Although the bill doesn’t mention COVID-19, the bill, in general, would ban mask requirements as well as prohibit businesses and government entities from offering incentives to be vaccinated, and include penalties for policies resulting in “forced medical treatment.”
K-12 school funding will grow to $3.6 billion, about 44 percent of the state’s general fund budget, under a package approved by the Iowa House.
Bill is eligible for consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee, but its long-term prospects are unclear.
More than 20 people spoke out for and against House File 2309, which would require any Iowa schools that get public funding to designate sports programs as one of the following: open to biological females, open to biological males or coeducational.
A lawmaker said livestreaming K-12 classes would nurture parental interest in education that increased when students were engaged in remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
But opinions diverge on other abortion-related bills now moving forward in the Iowa House.
The state education board would be required adopt standards for a public high school course on the Bible, which schools would then have the option to offer as a social studies elective, under legislation advanced Wednesday by two Iowa House Republicans.
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