A Democrat state lawmaker from Iowa City is criticizing the deal approved today by the Board of Regents that will let a French company run the University of Iowa's utilities for a lump sum payment. Senator Senator Joe Bolkcom says the plan is basically a loan to the university. "We've had a … [Read more...]
Whitver predicts Iowa lawmakers likely to raise age for buying tobacco
The Republican leader in the Iowa Senate predicts the 2020 Iowa legislature will likely raise the legal age for buying and possessing tobacco and e-cigarette products from 18 to 21. "We're at a unique period that we've never really been at where almost everyone across the board is in favor of … [Read more...]
Iowa Senate GOP to seek income tax cut if sales tax raised to fund water projects
The top Republican in the Iowa Senate says GOP lawmakers are considering a tax package that may raise the state sale one percent, with part of the money financing water quality efforts and the rest used to replace taxes that are cut. "As long as we've in the majority in the Iowa Senate and as … [Read more...]
Another round of state matching grants awarded for job-skill-building programs
State officials notified 22 applicants yesterday that they're getting state grants for programs that will give up to a thousand Iowans new job skills. A few of the winning applicants drove to Des Moines today to talk about their projects. J.B. Holland of Decorah said without the $50,000 state … [Read more...]
Governor makes first visit to medical marijuana manufacturer
Governor Kim Reynolds has toured the operation in Des Moines that grows and manufacturers the marijuana-infused products that are sold legally in Iowa as treatment for a limited number of health conditions. "I had not been there before to tour the facility and see what they're doing," Reynolds … [Read more...]
Funeral set for first female lieutenant governor of Iowa
The funeral for former Iowa Lieutenant Governor Jo Ann Zimmerman is set for late tomorrow morning in Des Moines. Zimmerman was the last independently elected lieutenant governor and the first woman to hold the office. She ran for governor in 1990, but ended her campaign and became Democratic … [Read more...]
Lawmaker says peers too chicken to eliminate Iowa tax credits
The legislature is not likely to make wholesale changes in the state's tax credit system according to a panel of lawmakers who spoke today at a meeting of the Iowa Taxpayers Association. Representative Dave Jacoby of Coralville, a Democrat, used a barnyard epithet -- which Radio Iowa has edited … [Read more...]
Secretary of State to outline cost for correcting errors on voter rolls
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says he's continuing to work on a plan to fix the flaws in Iowa's list of people who cannot vote due to felony convictions. "My office is going to be assigning more resources to this issue," Pate says, "but I want to make sure the legislature is aware of that and … [Read more...]
Panel reviews $200 million in state tax credits
A panel of lawmakers met yesterday to review the dozens of state tax credits that are available. Republican Representative Pat Grassley of New Hartford, a member of the committee, is also Speaker-Select of the Iowa House. He said some credits are decades old and it's hard to know how they'll … [Read more...]
Reynolds decides against executive action on e-cigarette sales
Governor Kim Reynolds says due to legal challenges of executive action in other states, she's ruled out issuing an executive order that would restrict electronic cigarette sales. Reynolds met Friday with key staff to discuss ways to address underage "vaping" and the illness that's been associated … [Read more...]