Governor Kim Reynolds is forming a committee to develop a new set of criminal justice reform recommendations. "To build on the 'second chance' initiatives that I started last year," Reynolds says. Reynolds says the group's first task will be to come up with policies that support people when … [Read more...]
Experts predict a 1.4% increase in state tax revenue
The governor's budget director is urging caution as state tax revenue growth is expected to be much lower this budget year than in the previous one. Iowa Department of Management director Dave Roederer says he doesn't think a recession is near, but he has concerns. "While everything looks pretty … [Read more...]
State representative charged with drunk driving in Cherokee
A state representative from central Iowa has been charged with drunk driving after a weekend arrest in northwest Iowa. Sixty-year-old Scott Ourth is a Democrat from Ackworth who represents part of Warren County in the Iowa House. A report from Cherokee Police indicates an officer saw a pick-up … [Read more...]
Pat Grassley, U.S. Senator Grassley’s grandson, heads new Iowa House leadership
Pat Grassley -- the 36-year-old grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley -- is the new GOP leader in the Iowa House of Representatives. The 53 Republicans who serve in the House met this morning to elect a new speaker. "Talked with almost every single member as I walked out the door and I think … [Read more...]
Ottumwa eye doctor making another run for Congress
A Republican from Ottumwa who's a member of the state senate is launching another bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mariannette Miller-Meeks ran for congress in 2008, 2010 and 2014, losing all three races to Democratic incument Dave Loebsack of Iowa City. Loebsack is retiring … [Read more...]
Upmeyer stepping down as speaker of Iowa House
The first female speaker of the Iowa House is stepping down. "It's been a huge privilege and honor to do the job, whether you're male or female, but I'm particularly I guess touched and privileged that I got to be the first woman to do it," House Speaker Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake told reporters … [Read more...]
State of Iowa surplus hits $289.3 million
The governor has announced the State of Iowa's last fiscal year ended with a surplus of nearly $290 million. The state's 12-month fiscal year ended June 30th, but the books don't close until two months later to ensure all receipts and payments are processed. This year's $289.3 million surplus is … [Read more...]
Oversight panel to probe ‘staged burglaries’ at two county courthouses
The Iowa Senate's Oversight Committee will hold a hearing to examine the state Judicial Branch contract with a security firm that led two employees to break into two county courthouses. Two employees of an international cybersecurity firm were caught breaking into the Polk County Courthouse in … [Read more...]
Reynolds says flood-related costs still being calculated
Governor Kim Reynolds says it is too early to assess how much more state money may be needed for flood recovery. "We're going to continue to work with the federal government, work the Corps, work with FEMA, work with HUD to see what the total cost is," Reynolds says. "What's the federal share? … [Read more...]
Chief Justice Cady recuses himself from lawsuit over judicial selection
The chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court will not participate in court deliberations over a lawsuit challenging a new state law that cuts his pay and reduces his term as chief justice. Chief Justice Mark Cady has rescued himself from hearing the lawsuit that challenge the state law that gave … [Read more...]