Week in Iowa, June 12, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

Supreme Court keeps abortion status quo: In a rare 3-3 decision on Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court declined to reinstate a six-week abortion ban, meaning abortion will remain legal in Iowa through 20 weeks of pregnancy. One justice recused herself, and the tie decision means current law stands.

The justices who opposed Gov. Kim Reynolds' request to reinstate the law said the state was asking them to take unprecedented action and redefine legal standards without an adequate change in the law. Republican leaders said Friday they will continue to push for abortion restrictions.

Iowa OSHA cites Cedar Rapids company: An Indianapolis company that drew concerns of child labor violations was cited for safety hazards at a Cedar Rapids development, while the U.S. Department of Labor continues to investigate the child labor allegations. The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration offered to fine TWG Construction $3,233, rather than an initial penalty of over $6,000, if it takes action to fix the safety violations.

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Davenport building demolished: A building that collapsed in Davenport was demolished last week, more than two weeks after one side of the building collapsed, killing three and displacing dozens of residents. The city was granted an exception to asbestos control rules because the building was structurally unsound.

ESA applications outpace expectations: Hundreds more people applied for a state-funded private school assistance program than the state budgeted, potentially adding millions to the program's cost. More than 17,000 Iowans had applied for an education savings account as of last week, valued at roughly $7,600 per student.

In budget analyses, the state expected the program to cost $107.4 million next year, expecting around 14,000 students to receive the scholarships. But the program has no set cap, and the state will fund all approved accounts, regardless of the cost.

Former Dem leader loses lobbying gig: A former Iowa Senate Democratic leader lost his lobbying job over his role in Senate Democrats' recent leadership revolt. Senate Democrats replaced Sen. Zach Wahls of Coralville as their leader with Sen. Pam Jochum of Dubuque after Wahls fired two longtime caucus staffers. Mike Gronstal, who once led Senate Democrats, was let go this past week as a lobbyist for the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council after the organization learned he was involved in the Democrats' decision.

Medicaid members affected by data breach: Around 233,000 Iowa Medicaid members' personal information was compromised in a data breach of MCNA Dental, one of two managed care organizations for Iowa's Medicaid dental plan. The hackers potentially obtained Social Security numbers, addresses and more data from more than a quarter of Iowa's Medicaid members.

They said …

“Not only does it disregard Iowa voters who elected representatives willing to stand up for the rights of unborn children, but it has sided with a single judge in a single county who struck down Iowa’s legislation based on principles that now have been flat-out rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.” — Gov. Kim Reynolds on Iowa Supreme Court declining to reinstate abortion restriction

“Today’s order is an enormous win, and it means that Iowans will be able to control their bodies and their futures. Your ZIP code shouldn’t determine who controls your uterus. Each person deserves control of their body, and Iowans have that right, based on today’s court decision.” — Planned Parenthood North Central States CEO Ruth Richardson

Odds and ends

2024 watch: Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley added key Iowa staffers last week in her presidential campaign. The hires include Bill Mackey as Haley's state political director, and state legislators Sen. Chris Cournoyer of LeClaire and Rep. Austin Harris of Moulton.

California pork law: Iowa's Republican U.S. senators introduced a bill last week seeking to overturn a California law that regulates the humane condition of livestock whose products are sold in the state. The lawmakers said the law would drive up pork prices across the country.

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Songwriter sentenced: An Atlanta songwriter was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of his girlfriend in Davenport. Justin Wright, a multiplatinum songwriter who worked with acts like Bow Wow and DJ Khalid, was found guilty of shooting 20-year-old Wilanna Bibbs in May 2021, while the couple were visiting his relatives in Iowa.

University tuition hike: The Iowa Board of Regents approved a tuition increase at Iowa's three public universities last week, hiking in-state tuition by 3.5 percent across the board. The Iowa Legislature devoted only a $7.1 million increase to regent universities for specific programs this year, short of the regents' $32 million ask.