Iowa native Matt Whitaker has been named a senior counselor in the U.S. Department of Justice. Ankeny attorney Matt Whitaker served as the department's chief of staff when Jeff Sessions was attorney general. President Trump named Whitaker acting attorney general when Sessions resigned. The U.S. … [Read more...]
State housing fund tapped to pay $4.1 million IFA settlements
State officials are dipping into a loan fund for multi-family housing to cover the settlements to two female employees who say the Iowa Finance Authority's former director sexually harassed them. There's $9 million in the fund for loans to developers building rental housing and $4.1 million is … [Read more...]
Republican Senator promoting ‘workfare’ concept in Iowa
New requirements for welfare recipients in Iowa are being considered -- and some are being shelved -- in the Iowa Senate. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, has sponsored four bills on the subject. "I hear constantly from constituents who are frustrated," Schultz told statehouse … [Read more...]
Democrat from Cedar Falls resigned from Iowa Senate today
A long-time legislator from Cedar Falls resigned abruptly this afternoon. Democrat Jeff Danielson had been a state senator since January of 2005. He's a Navy veteran and for the past 25 years he's worked as a Cedar Falls firefighter. He resigned from that job tody, too. Danielson told the Iowa … [Read more...]
Traffic cam approaches on potential collision course at Iowa capitol
A state senator who's tried for years to ban traffic enforcement cameras in Iowa is making another run at it in 2019. "This is about what I've said many times being able to face your accuser, that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty," Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, … [Read more...]
Senators seek third-party to handle state Medicaid appeals
Two key Democrats in the Iowa Senate are proposing adjustments to how private companies manage Iowa's Medicaid program. Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City says firing the private companies is not an option since Republicans remain in control of the legislature and the governor's office. "Governor … [Read more...]
Bill would extend sales tax for Iowa schools
The education committees in the Iowa House and Senate have approved a bill that would ensure school districts have tens of millions of dollars in sales taxes to pay for improvements to school property for decades to come. Margaret Buckton, a lobbyist for Rural School Advocates of Iowa, says this is … [Read more...]
Senate panel votes to hike texting while driving fine
A senate committee has unanimously approved more than tripling the fine for people caught handling their smart phone while driving. Drivers gripping their cell to text or talk when they're involved in serious accidents could have their driver's licenses suspended for three months if the bill … [Read more...]
Quarterly evaluations proposed for welfare benefits in Iowa
A senate committee will soon consider a plan to have Iowans on public assistance programs like Medicaid and food stamps to submit documents every three months to prove they're still eligible. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, is the bill's sponsor. "I am going to do whatever I … [Read more...]
Debate over traffic cameras enters 8th year at Iowa capitol
The debate over traffic enforcement cameras has been revived at the Iowa capitol. Republican Representative Jarad Klein of Keota describes a bill to completely ban cameras that generate tickets for speeding and red light violations as the starting point for this year's discussion in the … [Read more...]