The 2022 Iowa legislative session ended early this Wednesday morning, with final decisions over the past two days on a nearly $8.3 billion state budget plan. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver of Ankeny said the year's top accomplishment, though, happened nearly three months ago. "The tax … [Read more...]
No moratorium on land seizures in Iowa for carbon pipelines
A temporary moratorium on the use of eminent domain to seize property along carbon pipeline routes passed the House in March, but it was never considered in the Iowa Senate. The plan would have prevented pipeline developers from filing an application with the Iowa Utilities Board before February … [Read more...]
Democrats block GOP governor’s picks for Judicial Nominating Commission
Senate Democrats have refused to confirm the four Iowans Republican Governor Kim Reynolds selected to serve on the commission that nominates people to openings on the Iowa Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Senator Nate Boulton, a Democrat from Des Moines who's an attorney, said according to … [Read more...]
Bill creates new deer hunting season, with AR-15s
The legislature has sent the governor a bill that would set up a new January hunting season for deer in counties where some of the state licenses for harvesting antlerless deer were not sold. Senator Ken Rozenboom said the bill would let deer hunters use semi-automatic rifles during that … [Read more...]
GOP budget plan has $7 million increase for state prisons
Republican legislators have sent the governor a budget plan for the Iowa's justice system and it includes a $7 million spending increase for the state's prisons. Democrats like Representative Todd Prichard of Charles City say the murders of two Anamosa prison employees by two inmates attempting … [Read more...]
Legislature approves $5.5 million budget boost for UI, ISU, UNI
Legislators will return to the state capitol today to put the finishing touches on state spending plans for the budgeting year that begins July 1. Republicans who hold majorities in the House and Senate have agreed to provide Iowa's 15 area community colleges with $6.5 million more for the next … [Read more...]
Senate sends governor rewrite of Iowa’s Bottle Bill
For the first time in 44 years, lawmakers have voted to make changes in Iowa's popular "Bottle Bill." "I'm glad this is happening. It's time," said Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig, one of 30 Republicans who voted to accept House adjustments and send the bill to the governor. The legislation … [Read more...]
Giving governor more influence in commissions nominating local judges
Senate Republicans have revived a plan to have the governor appoint the majority of those who serve on commissions that nominate candidates to be district court judges. Senator Todd Taylor, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, said it gives the governor too much influence. "The deck is going to be … [Read more...]
Senate GOP’s court budget includes money originally set aside for pensions
Senate Republicans are scaling back the amount of money they're willing to set aside to hire four new judges and provide pay raises to judges and other employees in the Iowa court system. Republican Senator Julian Garrett of Indianola today said it appears the courts can cover some expenses by using … [Read more...]
Governor signs Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard into law
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that will significantly expand the number of Iowa gas stations that sell E15 -- fuel that has a 15% ethanol blend. "This historic bill makes Iowa the first state in the nation to adopt an E15 standard, setting the stage for the single largest … [Read more...]