Week in Iowa, April 3, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

Reynolds signs government reorganization: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a massive government reorganization bill into law last week, shrinking the state's 37 Cabinet-level state agencies to 16 and eliminating scores of vacant state government jobs. A Virginia-based consulting firm was paid nearly $1 million to create a report to aid the reorganization.

Reynolds and Republican supporters said the reorganization will lead to savings and a more efficient government, resulting in better services for Iowans. Democrats criticized the bill over the last three months, saying it concentrates too much power under the governor and eliminates the independence of key agencies.

Storms blow through state: Thunderstorms and tornadoes ripped through different parts of Iowa on March 31 and April 4, with tornadoes hitting multiple counties and causing severe property damage. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued disaster proclamations for 20 counties in response to the storms.

Voter statuses change: More than half a million voters were moved to "inactive" status for not voting in the 2022 general election last fall. Under election law changes enacted in 2021, Iowa voters are marked inactive if they do not vote in the most recent general election. Voters moved to inactive status who do not vote by the November 2026 election will be removed from the voter rolls.

Iowans discuss public assistance bill: Iowans spoke both for and against a bill that would alter eligibility requirements for Iowans to receive public food and health care assistance in a public hearing Tuesday. The bill is expected to remove thousands of Iowans from SNAP and Medicaid benefits.

Some people who qualify for the programs said they would lose their benefits under the bill and face a harder time buying food. Supporters of the bill said it would remove people who abuse federal welfare systems and spur personal accountability.

Democrats pitch lower costs: Iowa House Democrats introduced a package of legislation intended to lower costs for Iowans last week as lawmakers set their sights on crafting next year's budget. The bills would create a higher child care tax credit, freeze tuition at Iowa's public universities, and require insulin to be capped at $25 a month.

Senate advances governor appointments: The Iowa Senate has begun the process of confirming recent appointees of Gov. Kim Reynolds to state boards and commissions. Senate committees unanimously advanced appointments to lead Iowa's Veterans Home, National Guard and Economic Development Authority last week.

They said …

“Not only will Iowans receive better services through alignment, they’ll get it at lower cost. As elected leaders, it’s our responsibility to ensure that the services we provide are delivering value to those that we serve. And this transformative, comprehensive bill will do exactly that.” — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on government reorganization bill

“While we recognize the state Legislature can’t control all the ups and downs of the national economy, we can take action to help lower costs for Iowa families and reduce the living expenses for everyday Iowans." — Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst on Democrats’ proposals to lower living costs

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Odds and ends

2024 watch: Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will make stops in Iowa this week, including the launch of a "Women for Nikki" organization in Des Moines. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott also will visit the state in the coming week.

Hawkeyes fall in final: The University of Iowa women's basketball team was welcomed home by hundreds of adoring fans after losing to Louisiana State University in the championship game of the NCAA tournament last week. The game, which the Tigers won 102-85, attracted nearly 10 million viewers.

Water cooler

Iowa shuns funding: Iowa officials turned down $3 million in federal funding to respond to climate change. Iowa Finance Authority director Debi Durham told a state board she recommended against accepting the money because there were “strings attached.”

Voting age amendment: Iowans will get to weigh in on amending the constitution to say the minimum voting age is 18 after lawmakers gave final passage to a resolution last week. The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution set the voting age at 18 nationally in 1971, but Iowa's constitution still lists the voting age as 21. The amendment will be on the ballot in the November 2024 election.