Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowa's economy "is soaring," but lawmakers have work to do to ensure struggling Iowans find success, including Iowans with a criminal record. Reynolds delivered the annual "Condition of the State" address to lawmakers this morning. She asked them to set the wheels in … [Read more...]
Reynolds to unveil her 2019 agenda today in statehouse speech
Governor Kim Reynolds said just before Thanksgiving she might use part of today's "Condition of the State" speech to talk about voting rights for felons who've completed their sentences. During a recent Radio Iowa interview, Reynolds said she wants to be known as "the opportunity governor." "Last … [Read more...]
GOP legislators say they’re ready to take next step in 2019 (AUDIO)
Three hours before the 2019 Iowa legislative session began, 150 Iowa Republicans gathered in a Des Moines hotel ballroom to celebrate their 2018 election victories and provided some general hints of their agenda for the year ahead. J Jeff Kaufmann , the chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, said … [Read more...]
Big week ahead in Governor Kim Reynolds’ political career
As Iowa's first female governor prepares to take the oath of office for a full, four-year term on Friday, Republican Kim Reynolds says she wants to be known as "the opportunity governor." Kim Reynolds inherited a half-term as governor when Terry Branstad resigned in May of 2017. Reynolds is … [Read more...]
‘Fresh ideas aplenty’ as 2019 Iowa General Assembly begins
The 2019 Iowa legislative session starts later this morning, with Republicans in control of the debate agenda for the third consecutive year. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds was just elected to a full, four-year term and Republicans won a majority of seats in the Iowa House and Senate. Senate … [Read more...]
Republicans rap ‘judicial activism,’ aim to change who nominates judges
Republicans at the statehouse are drawing up plans to change the make-up of the commission that nominates people to the governor for judgeships, in response to what they say is "judicial activism." Iowa's Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2009 and recently overturned a GOP plan to … [Read more...]
One was not enough. Second Inaugural Ball scheduled.
Due to "high demand," there will be more than one inaugural ball to mark the start of Kim Reynolds' first full term as governor. Tickets to an inaugural ball on Friday, January 18, 2019, sold out, so a second inaugural ball will be staged at the same time, in a building nearby in downtown Des … [Read more...]
State may respond to program shortfalls caused by federal shutdown
State officials say if there is a prolonged shutdown of federal agencies like the USDA, they may shore up state programs run in conjunction with the federal government. "I'm proud of the fact we do things differently here in Iowa. I think Iowans don't like what they see happening out in … [Read more...]
Governor appoints ex-Iowa GOP chair to lead Lottery
Governor Kim Reynolds has appointed a former Iowa Republican Party chairman as the Iowa Lottery's new chief executive. Matt Strawn of Ankeny worked in Washington, D.C. as a congressional aide before serving as the Iowa GOP's chairman for the 2012 Iowa Caucuses. His first day as Lottery CEO is next … [Read more...]
Governor and auditor express intent to focus on areas of agreement
Iowa's Republican governor and the Democrat who was just sworn in as state auditor on Wednesday met privately this afternoon. Governor Kim Reynolds tweeted afterwards that the two discussed ways they could work together to better serve the people of Iowa. Sand says he looked forward to the … [Read more...]