A proposal advancing in the Iowa Senate would amend the Iowa constitution to make it more difficult to raise income taxes. The amendment would require any income tax increase to be approved by a two-thirds super majority in the House and Senate. Republican Senator Jim Carlin of Sioux City says … [Read more...]
No boosted penalty for assaulting Iowa sports’ whistle blowers
The 2020 Iowa legislature will not boost the penalties for assaulting referees, umpires, line judges and other sports officials. Bills on the topic were permanently tabled in the House and the Senate this week. Representative Tom Moore of Griswold retired this summer after officiating high school … [Read more...]
Iowa hires retired Virginia official to oversee changes at Glenwood
State officials are bringing in the retired director of a Virginia facility for patients with intellectual disabilities to address issues at the Glenwood Resource Center. The Iowa Department of Human Services has contracted with Mark Diorio to provide technical assistance at the Glenwood Resource … [Read more...]
GOP proposal says Iowa constitution should not secure abortion rights
Republicans on an Iowa Senate committee have advanced a proposed constitutional amendment designed to override an Iowa Supreme Court ruling that nullified abortion restrictions. Senator Jake Chapman of Adel made the case for it in committee late this morning "This is judicial tyranny. Do we want … [Read more...]
Bill would give county attorneys professional gun permits
A bill under consideration in the legislature would let county attorneys apply for professional weapons permits, so they could carry guns in most places where guns are banned. Assistant Polk County Attorney Bret Lucas helped draft the bill. He's gotten death threats because of his work on … [Read more...]
Bill keeps pre-existing condition coverage on Iowa-regulated policies
If the U.S. Supreme Court rules the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional, a bill that's emerged in the Iowa Senate would keep a popular part of the law in force for some Iowans. Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, is the bill's sponsor. "The pre-existing conditions that was part of … [Read more...]
Biden pressed by Iowan to pick Klobuchar as VP nominee
A woman in the crowd at a Mason City event told former Vice President Joe Biden he would secure her vote if he promised to pick one of his female rivals as his running mate. "We have been very fortunate to have great candidates for this nomination," the woman said. "You've always been at the top … [Read more...]
Iowa Guard seeks $5.5 million in state spending for new armory
Iowa National Guard officials are asking legislators to set aside $5.5 million over the next three years for a new armory in central Iowa. "It would be one of our traditional armories where we have a large drill floor, classroom facilities," says Colonel John J. Perkins, the construction and … [Read more...]
Governor to visit state facility that’s under federal investigation
Governor Kim Reynolds is going to meet with staff at the Glenwood Resource Center this afternoon. It's the governor's first visit to the facility that cares of patients with severe intellectual disabilities since she fired Glenwood's superintendent in late December. "I'm actually going on site as … [Read more...]
Iowa lawmakers consider trust funds for student-athletes’ pay
Legislators in the Iowa House and Senate are discussing steps that would let Iowa college athletes earn money if their name or likeness is used for profit. Senators Nate Boulton, a Democrat from Des Moines, and Republican Brad Zaun of Urbandale have been talking about establishing trust funds for … [Read more...]