116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

James Q. Lynch
I’ve been covering Iowa news for more than four decades. As the politics and state government reporter for The Gazette since 2000, I’ve covered the Iowa Legislature and state politics, as well as Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses. I also host reporters from around the state in a weekly discussion of political developments on the On Iowa Politics podcast. I’m a regular panelist on Iowa Public Television’s weekly “Iowa Press” public affairs program and an enthusiastic participant in The Gazette’s Pints and Politics discussion of, what else, politics.
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Latest Articles by James Q. Lynch
Campaigns & Elections Jun. 9, 2022 8:56 am291d ago
The former Congresswoman and state legislator has been in public service since her teens
Government & Politics Jun. 8, 2022 6:00 am293d ago
The requests from Reps. Hinson, Miller-Meeks and Axne seek funding for nearly $100 million worth of projects through what once was known as “earmarks.”
Campaigns & Elections Jun. 8, 2022 2:27 pm292d ago
It appears that Deb VanderGaast of Tipton will face Kerry Gruenhagen of Walcott for an open seat in Senate District 41, which covers Cedar County and parts of northern Muscatine County and eastern Scott County.
Campaigns & Elections Jun. 7, 2022 11:04 pm293d ago
House incumbent will face Republican Bernie Hayes in general election
Government & Politics Jun. 2, 2022 7:52 am298d ago
The projects announced today will increase supply chain resilience and fluidity, support short-line railroads, invest in new technology and safety advancements, and benefit rail industry workforce development and training activities – helping to create jobs and increase economic growth, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in announcing the grant to Iowa Northern Railway Company, which serves agricultural-related shippers in Eastern Iowa.
State Government May. 31, 2022 4:48 pm300d ago
Over the past 12 months, Iowa net tax revenue has increased $750.3 million or 7.6 percent. That comes despite low levels of economic activity that occurred during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tax collections were helped by a recent surge in consumer spending due in part to pent-up demand and federal stimulus payments.
Government & Politics May. 29, 2022 11:51 am302d ago
The Heart of Iowa Democrats will kick off Pride Month with a forum on Equality for All: the LGBTQ+ community and Iowa politics at 7 p.m. June 1.
State Government May. 28, 2022 6:00 am304d ago
Already this year, there have been 110 fatalities on Iowa roads, which is 15 more than a year ago at this time and 29 more than in 2020, according to Iowa Department of Transportation data. Based on the current number, an Iowa State Patrol spokesman said Iowa is on track to see 360 fatalities this year.
Campaigns & Elections May. 26, 2022 8:17 am305d ago
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, on Wednesday called for passage of his Eagles Act, to expand the Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center with a greater focus on school violence prevention.
State Government May. 25, 2022 1:01 pm306d ago
Proposed changes to K-12 education, including private school tuition assistance and enhanced transparency requirements, did not pass the Iowa Legislature
Campaigns & Elections Jun. 4, 2022 4:33 pm296d ago
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.“
State Government May. 23, 2022 10:44 pm308d ago
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.
State Government May. 23, 2022 5:27 pm308d ago
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.
State Government May. 23, 2022 3:43 pm308d ago
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.
Campaigns & Elections May. 19, 2022 9:59 pm312d ago
A trio of Democrats vying for their party’s U.S. Senate nomination toed the party line on issues including protecting abortion rights and same-sex marriage, but showed their differences on cancelling student debt, expanding the Supreme Court and who offers the best opportunity for winning in November.