Governor Kim Reynolds is giving few hints about her views on legalized sports betting. Last night, the Iowa House gave final legislative approval to a bill that would let the state's casinos take bets on professional and college sports -- either at the casinos or elsewhere via a smart-phone … [Read more...]
Eastern Iowa lawmaker switches from GOP to Democratic Party (AUDIO)
The longest-serving Republican currently in the Iowa legislature is leaving the GOP and joining the Democratic Party. Representative Andy McKean, a retired attorney, is in his 29th year as a member of the Iowa legislator. "This has been a very difficult decision for me and has only come after … [Read more...]
Ernst has $2.8 million in bank for 2020 reelection campaign
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says it will "backfire" against Democrats if "far left" members in the U.S. House pursue impeachment against President Trump. "I think it will solidify a lot of the folks here in Iowa that continue to support President Trump," Ernst says. "...I think they're going to … [Read more...]
On 67-31 vote, Iowa House sends sports betting bill to governor
The governor must now decide whether sports betting should be legal in Iowa. Tonight, the Iowa House gave final legislative approval to a bill that would let the 19 state-licensed casinos take wagers on professional and college sports. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, said … [Read more...]
Gillibrand says elevating women’s voices is top goal
This past weekend Democratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand wrapped up a three-day visit to the state that featured an endorsement from the former Iowa Senate GOP staffer who won a seven-figure sexual harassment settlement from the state. Kirsten Anderson said the New York Senator is the … [Read more...]
House likely to approve Iowa Hemp Act this week
Iowa farmers soon may have the option to grow industrial hemp. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has been working on the issue for the past three years. Senator Tim Kapucian, a farmer from Keystone, said the effort got "extra momentum" after the new Farm Bill effectively legalized hemp again in … [Read more...]
Bill would allow stun guns on public university, community college campuses
A bill likely to win final approval in the Iowa legislature next week would let most students carry stun guns on the university campuses in Ames, Cedar Falls and Iowa City as well as on community college property. Senator Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, said the reality is there's an … [Read more...]
Iowa governor says $1.6 billion flood damage estimate to rise
Governor Kim Reynolds says the flood damage estimate the State of Iowa submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in March will be increased. The original, nearly $1.6 billion estimate of damage in western Iowa was developed a month ago. "Then FEMA came in, with the National Guard and … [Read more...]
Gillibrand, Klobuchar say not some but all disaster victims need federal help
Two Democrats in the U.S. Senate -- both presidential candidates -- have a blunt message for Vice President Mike Pence. Last Friday while he was in southwest Iowa, Pence criticized senators who are presidential candidates for blocking a Senate vote on federal disaster aid because it lacked … [Read more...]
Property tax limits under debate in Iowa legislature
Republicans in the House and Senate have drafted bills they say will "slow down the growth of property taxes." Six years ago, Iowa lawmakers cut commercial and industrial property taxes by 10 percent. This year, GOP Senators have proposed limiting tax increases on all classes of property to no … [Read more...]