The Iowa Supreme Court has dismissed part of a Waterloo ordinance involving the use of the criminal history of job applicants. The court ruled the city cannot ban employers from making hiring decisions solely on an applicant’s criminal history because it forbids the use of the information even if … [Read more...]
$300 federal unemployment bonus ended in Iowa Sunday
Iowans who've filed for unemployment benefits are no longer receiving an extra 300 dollars per week in federal unemployment payments. Governor Reynolds ordered the change, which took effect Sunday. Iowa State University economist Peter Orazem says since Iowa is one of the first four states ending … [Read more...]
ISEA wants teachers to be in on discussions for spending millions in federal pandemic relief
The state teachers union is calling on superintendents and school boards to include teachers and other school staff in discussions about how districts plan to use the latest batch of $770 million in federal pandemic relief. State law limits teacher contract negotiations to a discussion of … [Read more...]
Iowa’s governor orders end to extra $300 in unemployment benefits
Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowa has "a severe workforce shortage" and she's joining a growing list of Republican governors who are rejecting the extra unemployment benefits included in federal pandemic relief measures. "It's time for everyone who can to get back to work," Governor Kim Reynolds … [Read more...]
Axne says bill addresses loopholes in pay equity law
Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne is co-sponsor of a pay equity bill that cleared the U.S. House Thursday. Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, said it would provide women new tools to fight wage discrimination in their workplace. "More than five decades after we passed the Equal Pay Act, we're … [Read more...]
A $14 million gap between House and Senate Republicans on prison spending
Senate Republicans are proposing a more than $6 million increase in next year's budget for the Iowa Department of Corrections, but that is $14 million dollars below the recommendation from Republicans in the House. Danny Homan, president of the union that represents employees in the state prison … [Read more...]
OSHA report found faults in Anamosa prison’s communications system
Safety inspectors discovered the radio system employees inside the Anamosa State Penitentiary used to communicate was malfunctioning more than a year before the inmate attacks that killed two Anamosa employees. KCRG TV was first to obtain the report Iowa's Occupational Safety and Health … [Read more...]
Creighton survey shows continued strong Midwest economy
The monthly survey of business leaders and supply managers in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states shows a moderate drop in the region's leading economic indicator for March. The Creighton University survey ranks the economy on a zero-to-100 scale, with 50 being growth neutral. Creighton … [Read more...]
John Deere Foundation donating millions to volunteer efforts
The John Deere Foundation plans to contribute $200 millions over ten years to help children and families, farmers, and employee volunteer efforts at its facilities in Iowa and elsewhere. Foundation president Nate Clark says the catchphrase for the new initiative is "We run so life can leap … [Read more...]
Senators ponder grants for people who move to telecommute from rural Iowa
A group of senators is discussing the idea of giving state grants of up to $5000 to new remote workers in Iowa who telecommute to jobs out-of-state. "We really believe tools like this, tactics like this should be explored in a serious way," said Joe Murphy, executive director of the Iowa Business … [Read more...]