Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling upholding the federal vaccine mandate for health care workers likely closed the door on efforts at the state level to counter that edict. "The question is what can the legislature do at the state level? These are federal … [Read more...]
Lawmaker says RFK, Jr. may testify at hearing for COVID-related bill
A member of the Iowa House is planning an event at the Capitol that may feature one of the country's most outspoken and controversial critics of the COVID vaccine. Representative Jon Jacobsen, a Republican from Glenwood, has been working on a bill that would prevent employers from asking about an … [Read more...]
Speaker says House GOP’s tax plan is simple, sustainable
House Republicans have released a tax plan that uses the governor's outline for lowering the state income tax to a single rate of four percent and making retirement income tax exempt. "I've been clear that we want to have something that's simple that's part of our tax plan, that's sustainable as … [Read more...]
Bill gives schools blocking Wi-Fi access to social media some legal ‘cover’
A teacher who's also a state representative is sponsoring a bill to make it clear school-owned Wi-Fi systems may block access to certain internet sites. Representative Garrett Gobble of Ankeny teaches U.S. History to eighth graders. "I can't tell you the number of times I -- in any place I've … [Read more...]
Iowa House GOP tax plan is similar to GOP governor’s
House Republicans are embracing all but one key element of the tax plan Governor Kim Reynolds proposed earlier this month. The House GOP plan released today uses the governor's outline for reducing the state's personal income tax rate to four percent, exempting retirement income from being taxed … [Read more...]
Bill would let 16 and 17 year olds be sole employee in child care rooms
Republicans in the Iowa House are considering a bill that would let 16-year-olds work in child care facilities on their own, without having an adult supervisor in the room. Wade Riedinger is executive director for the Iowa Alliance of YMCAs, which supports the bill. He says 16 and 17 year olds … [Read more...]
Senate GOP plan lowers Iowa’s top income tax rate to 3.6%
Iowa Senate Republicans have released a tax plan to lower the state income tax to 3.6% within five years. Governor Reynolds has set a goal of lowering the rate to 4% in four years. A mechanism in the Senate GOP's bill could eventually eliminate personal income taxes altogether. "Really, we're … [Read more...]
Another push to ban handling a cell phone while driving in Iowa
There's another effort in the legislature to make it illegal for motorists to use hand-held smart phones for any purpose while driving. A law passed in 2017 made texting while driving illegal, but drivers are still allowed to hold their phone to make calls or check navigation apps. Police say … [Read more...]
Senate Republicans propose major tax overhaul
Republicans in the Iowa Senate are unveiling a five-year plan to cut taxes for individuals, corporations, retirees -- including retired farmers, while making a significant sales tax shift that will provide tens of millions of dollars to water quality projects. "In the end, the Senate Republicans … [Read more...]
Bill to get rid of Iowa’s mandatory school start date tabled
A move to get rid of the state law that forbids schools from starting the fall term before August 23 has stalled in the Iowa House. The tourism industry objects, arguing families quit traveling and they lose student employees if school starts earlier in August. "Every day that Okoboji loses from … [Read more...]