Advocates are raising concerns about regulatory changes that would increase staff-to-children ratios in Iowa child care centers. House Republicans have drafted a plan to let one employee oversee up to eight two-year-olds. The president of the Iowa Child Care Coalition says it would lead to more … [Read more...]
State officials organize online observance of 2022 MLK Day
Current and former members of the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans are looking toward the future on this Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Former commission member Negus Sankofa Imhotep is a workforce coordinator and Des Moines Public Schools coordinator for Urban Dreams, an … [Read more...]
House GOP proposes exempting retirement income on 2022 tax form
House Republicans have introduced a bill to eliminate the state income tax on retirement income from pensions, IRAs and 401(k)s. Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley suggests it might prompt some older Iowans to reconsider relocating or living more than half the year in another state that … [Read more...]
Reynolds says state should invest in carbon capture research
Governor Kim Reynolds says carbon pipelines are private sector projects and she does not support direct state investment in any of the pipelines that are proposed. During her Condition of the State address last week, Reynolds called for investment in "carbon capture solutions sustain and build on … [Read more...]
Percentage of Iowa hospital patients being treated for Covid climbs
Nearly a thousand patients in Iowa hospitals today have tested positive for Covid. Every patient is tested for Covid and infection rates have been rising as the more contagious omicron variant sweeps through the Midwest. The latest data from the Iowa Department of Public Health shows treatment … [Read more...]
Representative Hinson tests positive for COVID a second time
Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion has tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time. In a written statement, Hinson said she began experiencing "mild, cold-like symptoms" Thursday afternoon, so she took a COVID test and it was positive. She's isolating and working remotely. Hinson is … [Read more...]
Iowa Guard units likely going to Poland, in support of NATO
Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Benjamin Corell has alerted several units that they are likely to be called to active duty this year. It includes a mission in support of NATO -- the North Atlantic Treaty Organization -- as fears rise about a Russian invasion of Ukraine. "We anticipate we … [Read more...]
Reynolds proposes trigger for corporate tax cut
Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing a way to trigger corporate income tax cuts. The governor did not mention cutting taxes for corporations during her Condition of the State address earlier this week, but her plan is included in a budget report submitted to lawmakers. If Iowa corporations pay more … [Read more...]
Reynolds says ruling blocking COVID vaccination mandate is ‘major victory’
Governor Kim Reynolds says the Supreme Court's ruling that blocks federal COVID vaccine requirements in large businesses is a major victory for Iowans and their personal freedoms. During an interview with Radio Iowa before the ruling was announced, Reynolds called the vaccine mandate … [Read more...]
Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking launched to combat forced labor
Several Iowa businesses and trade groups have joined a new alliance to combat human trafficking in the state. The Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking or I-BAT is an initiative by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate's office. "I believe our business community can make a difference," Pate says. … [Read more...]