Today is the deadline to check-in early for the Iowa Democratic Party's February 3, 2020 Caucuses. Everyone who participates in the Caucuses must check-in with party officials in their neighborhood and show they're a registered Democrat who lives in the precinct. Iowa Democratic Party chairman … [Read more...]
Proposed amendment on abortion clears first hurdle in Iowa legislature
Republican lawmakers are proposing an amendment to the Iowa Constitution, in response to Iowa court rulings that struck down abortion restrictions. Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison gave a loud Marine Corps "oorah" on Tuesday when Governor Kim Reynolds mentioned it in her Condition … [Read more...]
Lawmaker wants to close potential loophole in Iowa’s life prison sentences
A state senator wants to make sure medical intervention doesn't help inmates escape the state's "life" prison sentence for first degree murder and other Class A felony convictions. Senator Roby Smith of Davenport is sponsoring a bill on the topic after an Iowa prisoner sued for release, … [Read more...]
Legislators ponder rumble strips, left-lane hogs, backseat belts
Three traffic-related bills have already emerged in the 2020 Iowa legislature. A bill to make seat belt use mandatory for back-seat passengers has cleared a subcommittee in the Iowa Senate. Senator Zach Whiting of Spirit Lake says federal statistics show nearly half of the people killed in motor … [Read more...]
Acting Iowa Supreme Court chief says the courts will endure
The Iowa Supreme Court's acting chief justice says the state's court system is going through a transition, but Justice David Wiggins downplays the idea there's any sort of conflict between the executive and judicial branches of state government. "The court's in pretty good shape and it's an … [Read more...]
Iowa’s governor to DC to attend signing of China trade deal
Governor Kim Reynolds is headed to Washington, D.C. to attend the signing of "phase one" of a trade deal with China. "It's a really good first step for Iowa and for Iowa farmers," Reynolds told Radio Iowa late Tuesday afternoon. Reynolds said she was invited by the Trump Administration to send … [Read more...]
Six Democrats on pre-Iowa Caucus debate stage tonight
The final televised debate before the Iowa Caucuses showcased differences among six Democratic presidential candidates on health care and trade issues, along with a conversation about whether Americans will elect a woman as president. At the start, the candidates fielded foreign policy questions. … [Read more...]
Reynolds says her Invest in Iowa Act ‘touches everything’
Republican leaders in the Iowa legislature say they'll "keep an open mind" as they wait for more details of the governor's tax package. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds used the annual "Condition of the State" address this morning to propose deeper state income tax cuts as well as an increase in … [Read more...]
Legislators not ready to embrace governor’s Invest in Iowa Act
Republican lawmakers say reducing taxes is a priority, but they're not ready to endorse the tax plan Republican Governor Kim Reynolds unveiled today. During the governor's annual "Condition of the State" message, Reynolds proposed a one percent hike in the state sales tax, along with a reduction … [Read more...]
Governor’s ‘Invest in Iowa Act’ raises sales tax, seeks to lower other taxes
"Opportunity Lives Here" is the title of the annual "Condition of the State" message Governor Kim Reynolds is delivering this morning at the statehouse and she's asking legislators to raise one tax and lower others. Governor Kim Reynolds declared the condition of the state "truly strong," but she … [Read more...]