Week in Iowa, March 18, 2024: Recap of news from across the state

Immigration enforcement bill passes: Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds said she intends to sign a bill passed by Iowa lawmakers that would give state officials the authority to arrest and order the removal of immigrants in the country illegally. The bill, similar to a Texas law that has been locked in a legal battle, would allow the arrest of immigrants that enter the country illegally after previously being denied entry or deported.

The bill has been opposed by a number of immigration activists, who have argued that it is unconstitutional and discriminatory. Republicans, though, said the measure was necessary to address the record number of illegal border crossings that have occurred under President Joe Biden. Earlier this year, federal lawmakers failed to coalesce around a border security bill proposed by Biden.

March Madness tips off: Two Iowa men's teams and three women's teams made it to the NCAA Tournament to kick off March Madness this year. No. 2 seed Iowa State and won its first game Thursday, while No. 10 seed Drake fell in the first round. In the women's tournament, the No. 1 seed Iowa, No. 7 seed Iowa State and No. 12 seed Drake teams played their first games Friday and Saturday.

AEA bill bounces back: Iowa House Republicans passed their latest proposal to overhaul the state's area education agencies Thursday as Republican leaders try to iron out disagreements over how to oversee special education funding and oversight in the state. The latest proposal would let Iowa schools keep their special education funding but require them to spend most of it with an AEA.

The bill also adds a 2.5 percent spending increase on overall school funding, and would increase the starting pay for teachers to $50,000 over two years. Republicans passed the bill on a narrow vote Thursday, making it eligible for consideration in the Senate. The Senate must pass the bill to send it to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds for a signature.

Eminent domain bill advances: Iowa House lawmakers made another attempt to regulate the eminent domain process as a vocal coalition seeks to stop the construction of CO2 pipelines in the state. The bill would allow individuals to go to court to determine a project's eminent domain authority during state regulator proceedings.

Iowa voters back Republicans: Republican candidates are preferred by voters in three of Iowa's four congressional districts, according to a recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. In the 1st District, where incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks is challenged by Democrat Christina Bohannan, voters preferred a Democratic candidate by a slim margin.

They said ...

“Every student deserves a quality education that helps them reach their potential. By reforming the AEA system, empowering school districts, and improving oversight and transparency, we are committing to better outcomes and brighter futures for Iowa’s students with disabilities. They deserve nothing less. -- Gov. Kim Reynolds after House passes AEA bill

"This bill, in attempting to solve only one problem, risks creating others. Fostering fear among immigrant communities, disrupting families and potentially hindering cooperation with law enforcement. The ripple effects of this bill could touch every facet of our community life." -- Rep. Sami Scheetz, D-Cedar Rapids, on immigration bill

Odds and ends

Police review boards: A proposal to ban local citizen police review boards will not move forward in the Iowa Legislature after a key lawmaker said the bill needs more work. Five Iowa cities, including Cedar Rapids, have citizen-led boards that oversee their police department, and the bill would have prohibited those boards.

State parks need renovation: Iowa's state parks are in need of more than $100 million in repairs to update shelters, sewage and other infrastructure. A report prepared by a former Department of Natural Resources officer found that there were health and safety risks associated with the failing infrastructure. Despite the needs, the Iowa DNR did not ask the Legislature for any additional funding this year.

Water cooler

Iowa family abuse: Four members of a family from Zearing were charged with felonies for allegedly kidnapping and abusing an 18-year-old relative. The 18-year-old was so badly malnourished that he weighed 70 pounds when he arrived at the hospital, according to court documents.

State E15 lawsuit: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird dropped her lawsuit to force the sale of year-round E15 fuel after the Environmental Protection Agency approved it earlier this year. Iowa and other Midwestern states have been pushing for the agency to allow the year-round sale of the fuel, which currently is restricted in the summer.