Tom Barton

A bill Republicans say will strengthen protections for religious expressions in Iowa that Democrats contend would give legal cover to discriminate against LGTBQ Iowans and others is headed to Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk.

Iowa House Republicans passed a bill late Wednesday night that would create a new permitting process for Iowa school districts to arm trained staff. Under the bill, identities of school staff issued a weapons permit would be confidential and not subject to disclosure under Iowa’s open records law.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office says the state will hire a new partner, citing conflicts of interest in the program as operated by AEAs, but one recent program worker pushed back at that characterization.

Representatives of Iowa's credit unions told lawmakers there’s no need for the bill.

Iowa libraries and museums warn of financial losses as a result of property tax changes signed into law last year.

Immigrant workers and Catholic charities worry a package of bills being advanced by Iowa Republican lawmakers would criminalize and could lead to the closure of faith-based migrant shelters and civic engagement organizations to house or transport asylum-seekers.

Critics say it would create more housing instability and weaken tenant protections.

The bill would prevent banks and credit card companies from using a merchant code that would differentiate a gun shop from a general merchandise or sporting goods store.

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.

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

The deadline to submit a request for a presidential preference card is 11:59 p.m. Monday.

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

Iowa voters would no longer be able to return absentee ballots in drop boxes under legislation that also would make it harder to challenge Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the 2024 general election ballot.

The bill introduced this week would have allowed cities and counties to use state funds to establish homeless encampments on public property, and would prohibit sleeping, camping or erecting a shelter on public property outside of official sites. The legislation was ultimately tabled on Tuesday.

Iowa House Republicans and Iowa Senate Democrats introduced their respective legislative proposals Tuesday to ensure safety, support and accountability in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.