Leaders in Iowa's Republican-led Legislature say they're waiting to see how court cases play out first before taking any further steps to restrict abortion access in the state — an assertion not all Democrats are buying.
Along the way, however, there are any number of ideas and issues that can disrupt, delay and derail the familiar routine of a legislative session. Often, they are the same issues from year-to-year: abortion; gun rights; traffic cameras; gambling.
School superintendents and the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union are eager for guidance on transgender sports. Although there have been no Iowa challenges of district decisions on transgender athletes so far, parents in other states have filed lawsuits and Title IX complaints.
Justin Wasson, 33, is running in the rural Linn and Benton counties district, which includes Central City, Bertram, Vinton, Ely, Fairfax, Belle Plaine, Mount Vernon and Van Horne. The founder and owner of Affordable Pressure Washing in Cedar Rapids says he wants to take his experience cleaning up messes to the Statehouse.
Mary Ann Hanusa drops bid for Congress
Waterloo Democratic Rep. Ras Smith announced Wednesday he was suspending his campaign for Iowa governor.
But details were scarce in interviews with the governor and legislative leaders on how to proceed. Any plans, apparently, will have to wait to cement during the legislative session.
But anyone seeking details on any of those plans will have to stay tuned. Specifics were scarce Tuesday, when Reynolds and legislative leaders participated in the Iowa Capitol Press Association’s annual legislative preview forum at the Iowa Capitol.
Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and other GOP legislative leaders said they believe it is prudent to await court decisions on several challenges to federal vaccine mandates first.
An earlier proposal was supported by renewable fuels groups, but opposed by retailers and consumer choice advocates.
In Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature, environmental groups look for niche issues that could get bipartisan support. These include soil health, digesters and state parks funding.
The state has awarded $14.8 million to 4,608 residential projects and more than $26.7 million to 2,666 business installations. The average residential credit has grown from $1,850 in 2012 to $3,215 in 2021. The average business credits have increased from $7,997 to $9,990.
The race for Iowa attorney general in 2022 will be about “who is the best lawyer to stand up and advocate for Iowans, who will work hard for them and defend the issues that they care about,” according to Brenna Bird.
Iowa Senate leader said his preference is to limit the discussion to just COVID-19 vaccine requirements, but acknowledged other lawmakers may want to broaden that discussion to other vaccines.
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