A bill to reinstate the death penalty in Iowa -- just for those convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering children -- has cleared a subcommittee in the Iowa Senate. Sam Jones, pastor of the Faith Baptist Church in Hudson, spoke in favor of the bill during a hearing yesterday. "What does … [Read more...]
Democrats warn Iowa legislature may be ‘super spreader’
Democrats are warning about the potential spread of Covid-19 in the Iowa Statehouse this week as the 2021 legislative session gets underway. Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, is accusing Republican leaders of acting like Covid is "no big deal." "Your lame reasoning about not … [Read more...]
Iowa chief justice says paperless push years ago helped in pandemic
Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen says the state's court system has been upended by the pandemic. "It's been turned on its head for almost a year," Christensen said this morning. "We can't just shut our doors and say: 'See you when things get better.' It's not like people have a … [Read more...]
Iowa CCI calls for $1 billion from state in pandemic relief
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is calling on Iowa lawmakers to spend the state's billion dollar cash reserve and budget surplus on pandemic relief. The group's calling for Medicaid coverage to be extended to all uninsured Iowans through the end of the year as well as hazard pay for … [Read more...]
Reynolds to deliver Condition of the State address tonight
Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the annual "Condition of the State" address at 6 p.m. tonight. During a speech early Monday morning, Reynolds may have given a preview of her general evaluation of the state's status. "This past year has been challenging, it's been unprecedented, and it's been … [Read more...]
Unusually sharp exchange on Iowa legislature’s opening day
Opening day speeches at the Iowa legislature are typically congenial, with bipartisan cooperation as a common theme. That was not the case today. House Democratic Leader Todd Prichard of Charles City said as a 25-year Army veteran he was outraged by what happened in the U.S. Capitol last … [Read more...]
Education, taxation, safety issues paramount for 2021 Iowa legislature
The 2021 Iowa legislative session is scheduled to begin today, with Republicans who control the debate agenda predicting significant action on education and taxation. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver of Ankeny said there's no consensus yet, though. "The tax conversation and tax changes … [Read more...]
Top GOP leaders express confidence in Iowa Capitol security
The Republican leaders in the Iowa legislature say they're confident in the security at the Capitol building in Des Moines. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver of Ankeny said Wednesday's attack on the U.S. Capitol was a sad day for the country. "This is a great country that has given me so much … [Read more...]
Governor shelves Invest in Iowa tax plan
Governor Kim Reynolds says due to the pandemic, she will not ask legislators to pass the tax reform plan she unveiled last February. "At this point, I'm going to pause the 'Invest in Iowa' initiative," Reynolds said this morning during a forum sponsored by the Iowa Capitol Press Association. "I … [Read more...]
Pressure builds for changes to Iowa’s Bottle Bill
The battle over Iowa's so-called "bottle bill" which set the nickel deposit fee on cans and bottles with carbonated and alcoholic beverages in 1979 will again be waged in the 2021 Iowa legislature. House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, told Radio Iowa he hears about it … [Read more...]