State Government

The state has $26.8 million in funds from settlements from cases against major opioid manufacturers and retailers, and it’s expected to receive around $144 million over the next several years. Lawmakers’ proposed bills would govern how those funds are spent.

Iowa Senate Republicans advanced Gov. Kim Reynolds’ legislation that would accelerate previously planned state income tax reductions. But the top Senate Republican on tax policy said legislators, in the coming weeks, also will advance their own proposal, which includes an eventual elimination of the state income tax.

A second worker injured in a 2022 explosion at a Marengo plant is suing the company, C6-Zero, and other defendants, including a politically-connected consulting firm that vouched for the company with state regulators.

Here’s an update on 12 bills that remain open for passage by the Iowa Legislature -- and two that did not survive -- after the first funnel deadline.

Bills in the Iowa Legislature test the fate of a vital link that the state’s area education agencies provide to families and schools for inclusive learning.

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen will continue to talk about pay increases for judges until something changes and is encouraging Iowa judges to talk to their local lawmakers to make the case for a 6.2 percent increase. Gov. Kim Reynolds has proposed 2 percent.

The first ‘funnel’ eliminated some bills from lawmaker consideration this year

GOP lawmakers advance bills that would give unborn children stronger legal protections

Bills on education, gender and driving among those clearing first deadline.

“I don’t understand what the beef industry’s worried about, because I don’t know anybody who wants to grill soy burger when they have people over,” Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo said. “Iowans and people across this country love beef. Why are you worried?”

More than 200 vehicles struck cable barriers on Interstate 80 medians during back-to-back snow storms in January -- which is a lot considering the state usually has about 900 strikes for the whole winter on all interstates.

Special education advocates call it an ‘improvement,’ but say changes are still needed.