A small group of Iowa House members and hunting enthusiasts are debating whether to increase the number of licenses for out-of-state deer hunters. Under current law, 6,000 deer hunting licenses are available for residents of other states. Representative Dean Fisher, a Republican from Montour, … [Read more...]
Ombudsman: overwhelmed DHS child abuse investigators remain a concern
A report from the State Ombudsman says there could be more deaths unless the agency which investigates child abuse in Iowa gets more resources. The report from Ombudsman Kristie Hirschman focused on the death of 16-year-old Natalie Finn -- who was found emaciated in her adoptive family’s West Des … [Read more...]
Revival of ‘The Corn State’ license plate proposed
A northern Iowa farmer who's been in the legislature nearly 12 years is proposing a new "corn state" license plate design. Senator Tim Kapucian of Keystone has drafted a bill that would carry out his vision. "It'll say at the top of the plate: 'The Corn State' and then it'll be a white plate with … [Read more...]
Proposed amendment states Iowa Constitution doesn’t confer abortion rights
The 32 Republicans in the Iowa Senate today endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that says the state's founding document does not protect abortion rights. "Ending life through the practice of abortion is the most egregious violation of human rights in the history of humanity," Senator … [Read more...]
Iowa bill a response to case of Indiana abortion doctor
A bill has been introduced in the Iowa House in response to the recent case of more than 2400 fetal remains found in the garage and vehicle of an Indiana doctor who performed abortions. Tom Chapman of the Iowa Catholic Conference says burying the dead respectfully is important to the Catholic … [Read more...]
Candidate to lead Iowa Democrats touts grassroots, legislative experience
State Representative of Mark Smith is the first to announce he's running to be the next chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. Current chair Troy Price announced his resignation yesterday in the wake of the Iowa Caucus mess. Smith says his background gives him the ability to step in and help … [Read more...]
Iowa Democratic Party chair to resign after Caucus reporting mess
Iowa Democratic Party chairman Troy Price tonight said he's resigning so the party can have a "fresh start." "We're about to start this recanvas process and I got to a point where I believed it was a good opportunity for me to exit so that the process could move forward with new leadership and … [Read more...]
Reynolds plans road tour to build support for Invest in Iowa Act
Governor Kim Reynolds is holding town hall meetings around the state to build support for her "Invest in Iowa Act." The plan would raise the state sales tax, lower other taxes and dedicate more money for water quality initiatives and the state's mental health system. "I'm going to go out there … [Read more...]
GOP lawmakers wrestle with school funding decision
There's disagreement among Republicans at the statehouse over how many state tax dollars to forward to Iowa's public schools for the next academic year. Republicans in the Iowa Senate favor a 2.1% increase in per pupil spending. "Looking at in total, it's on average about $3000 per classroom … [Read more...]
Grassley hopes to meet with Pelosi about Rx bill
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says having President Trump tout his prescription drug bill during the State of the Union speech last Tuesday has been a boost. Now, Grassley's hoping to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and this is his message: "Maybe things between the White House and Pelosi are … [Read more...]