Iowa Governor Chet Culver says he wants legislation approved this session that’ll add gays, lesbians and transgendered people to the state Civil Rights Code. A bill with that language has passed the state senate but faces an uncertain future in the House.
Culver says throughout his campaign he talked about interest in amending the state Civil Rights Code, “in order to make this a more welcoming place.” Democrats hold a majority in the house, but a smaller one than in the state senate.
Culver says he’s also like lawmakers to give local governments the authority to ban smoking in public places. Culver says not to underestimate the effect it will have, saying down the road the legislature may see fit to pass a statewide ban. The Iowa Senate has already approved a local-ordinance bill, but the measure’s hung up in the house, where some Democrats want to exempt casinos and bars.