Republican Kim Reynolds used tonight's "Condition of the State" address to press for a law requiring schools to offer 100% in-person instruction. "I'm asking the legislature to immediately send a bill to my desk that gives parents the choice to send their children back to school full-time," … [Read more...]
Iowa Wesleyan and SECC in West Burlington form alliance
Iowa Wesleyan in Mount Pleasant and Southeastern Community College in West Burlington are forming an alliance in hopes of bringing more students to both campuses and sharing some administrative staff. Iowa Wesleyan president Christine Plunkett says the institutions aren't merging, but will develop a … [Read more...]
Iowa CCI calls for $1 billion from state in pandemic relief
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is calling on Iowa lawmakers to spend the state's billion dollar cash reserve and budget surplus on pandemic relief. The group's calling for Medicaid coverage to be extended to all uninsured Iowans through the end of the year as well as hazard pay for … [Read more...]
Reynolds to deliver Condition of the State address tonight
Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the annual "Condition of the State" address at 6 p.m. tonight. During a speech early Monday morning, Reynolds may have given a preview of her general evaluation of the state's status. "This past year has been challenging, it's been unprecedented, and it's been … [Read more...]
Grassley says Trump’s remarks made Capitol ‘insurrection’ worse
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says congress should concentrate on working with the next president rather than impeaching the one who'll be out of office in nine days. "At least I'm looking forward to what I can do...to help Biden pull the country together," Grassley said earlier today. If … [Read more...]
Unusually sharp exchange on Iowa legislature’s opening day
Opening day speeches at the Iowa legislature are typically congenial, with bipartisan cooperation as a common theme. That was not the case today. House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard of Charles City said as a 25-year Army veteran he was outraged by what happened in the U.S. Capitol last … [Read more...]
Ernst says U.S. Capitol attack by ‘anarchists’ is absolutely inexcusable
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she and her fellow Republicans need to "lead the way" and help unite the country after last week's attack on the U.S. Capitol. "It was attacked. There is no doubt about it, folks," Ernst said this morning. "And the people that illegally entered that Capitol are … [Read more...]
Education, taxation, safety issues paramount for 2021 Iowa legislature
The 2021 Iowa legislative session is scheduled to begin today, with Republicans who control the debate agenda predicting significant action on education and taxation. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver of Ankeny said there's no consensus yet, though. "The tax conversation and tax changes … [Read more...]
Hinson, Miller-Meeks, Feenstra oppose impeachment
Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says in 12 days, Joe Biden will be the president of the United States and it's time for unity rather than the pursing impeachment of out-going President Trump. "Further dividing our country right now would serve no one, especially not Iowans who … [Read more...]
Governor’s budget director to retire January 31st
The man who has been state budget director for the past decade is retiring after a 38-year career in state government. Dave Roederer was part of former Governor Terry Branstad's staff in the last century before Branstad's return in 2011, when Roederer was named director of the Department of … [Read more...]