From the category archives:

Politics & Government

Transportation Commission approves more money to fix potholes

by Dar Danielson 03/9/10 2:21 PM

The Iowa Transportation Commission today approved taking some money from the five-year improvement program to take care of some more immediate repairs. Department of Transportation spokesperson, Dena Gray-Fisher, says an additional $12-million will be allocated for contract maintenance to fix things like potholes.
She says the change is a direct result of the harsh winter conditions [...]

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Governor signs puppy mill bill as first dog looks on

by O. Kay Henderson 03/9/10 2:10 PM

Governor Chet Culver has signed a bill into law that immediately allows for state inspections of commercial dog kennels that draw public complaints.
 Breeders who are raising four or more dogs would have to pay a new licensing fee and register with the state. Culver calls that a “seal of approval” which reputable breeders can present [...]

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Cedar Rapids council to meet outside city until flood repairs completed

by Pat Curtis 03/9/10 12:33 PM

The flood of 2008 is forcing the Cedar Rapids city council to move its meetings outside city limits. Starting today, council members will hold their meetings in the suburb of Hiawatha. Before the flood, the council met in the Veterans’ Memorial Building – which sits on an island in the Cedar River and was severely [...]

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Grassley takes credit for delay in Wellmark rate increase

by Matt Kelley 03/9/10 10:58 AM

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is taking credit for helping to delay a rate increase from the state’s largest health insurance company, as state regulators review the proposal. Late last month, Grassley sent a letter to the CEO of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, asking for justification of the rate increases that were being planned.
“I’m glad [...]

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Teen texting now targeted by legislature

by O. Kay Henderson 03/9/10 7:25 AM

The Iowa House has dramatically scaled back a proposal which would have made it illegal for anyone to read or send text messages while driving on Iowa roads.  The House, instead, voted to make it illegal for just 16- and 17-year-olds to send text messages or play computer games while they’re driving. 
Representative Scott Raecker, a [...]

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Wellmark premium increase delayed

by O. Kay Henderson 03/8/10 2:33 PM

Governor Chet Culver is injecting himself in the middle of a dispute about Wellmark’s plan to raise the price of health insurance premiums by 18 percent, on average, for about 80,000 Iowans.
Culver has directed the state insurance commissioner to “stay” the premium increase.  He’s calling for “a third party, independent actuary” to review the matter and determine [...]

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Branstad proposes series of budget reforms

by O. Kay Henderson 03/8/10 2:10 PM

Former Governor Terry Branstad is proposing a series of state budget reforms that he tried to enact during the end of his 16-year tenure as governor. “We can get this done,” Branstad says. “And I’m hopeful that Democrats will endorse it as well.”
Branstad, a Republican who’s seeking a fifth term as governor, says it’s time [...]

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