James Q. Lynch

The increase is consistent with Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposal and more than a 2.25 percent hike proposed by Senate Republicans.

Legislators try to “level the playing field” for citizens who visit the Capitol to talk to their representatives by prohibiting lobbying activity in the second floor rotunda between the House and Senate chambers.

In making the case for Iowa to go first with presidential caucuses, state GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann said it’s important to start in a small state and that the Midwest has a voice in the nomination process.

The Iowa Department of Human Services saw a 37 percent increase in dependent abuse reports from the first half of 2020 to the second half of 2021 with 5,800 cases.

Current federal law prohibits states from enacting daylight saving time permanently, but “who know how long it will be before Congress decides to allow us to do it?” Iowa Rep. Sexton wondered.

“It’s the wild, wild west out there,” lawmaker says.

Requiring fuel retailers to sell ethanol-blended products will not only spur demand for Iowa corn-based ethanol and produce savings for motorists, but promote its use beyond the state’s borders, backers said during debate in the Iowa House.

Under a proposal approved by the Iowa House Judiciary Committee, a person could be compelled to testify against a spouse who allegedly threatened them or a third party or if communications were disclosed to a third party.

The feedback from various business groups, conservative tax policy organizations, and water quality and environmental advocates was not unanimous, but certainly largely in support of Republican state legislators’ varied proposals to lower the state tax on income to a single rate; reduce the state tax on businesses; and create a shift in taxes that provides funding for the long-starved state fund for conservation and water quality projects.

Abby Finkenauer raised just shy of $2 million in 2021 in her bid to challenge Iowa’s longtime U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, her campaign reported Monday.

Republicans plan in-person caucuses, but Democrats using virtual and hybrid formats in response to party members’ concerns about COVID-19.

Cedar Rapids native Austin Frerick says he will fight for a fair and progressive tax structure and to level the playing field for locally owned farms, restaurants and businesses so they can compete against foreign corporations.

Requests for critical stress management debriefings tripled in 2021, Director Stephan Bayens said Wednesday.

According to the complaint, Green shot at Jackson in the 800 block of Sixth Street SW “with the intent to cause the death of another person.”

Sen. Joni Ernst has been calling on the Biden administration to impose tougher sanctions on Russia now as a deterrent to an invasion. “We need to start pushing back now ... We need to prevent an invasion.”