Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to require able-bodied adults to work, volunteer or go to school for at least 20 hours a week to remain qualified for Medicaid benefits. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, said the "Iowa work ethic" is eroding and this will help. "We've … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley criticizes Corps of Engineers for handling of water releases
Leaders of water-inundated towns in southwest Iowa are blaming the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for blundering decisions that may have contributed to the region's widespread flooding. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he "absolutely" will call for an inquiry into the Corps' actions, like ordering … [Read more...]
New charge for solar panel owners approved by Iowa Senate
The Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would let the major electric utilities in Iowa charge a new fee to most customers with solar panels. Republican Senator Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point said Rural Electric Cooperatives and most city-owned utilities charge solar customers a fee for … [Read more...]
Presidential candidates give attention to Iowa Senate special election
Several of the Democrats running for president have been visiting the Cedar Falls area to help turn out voters for tomorrow's special election in a state senate district. Democrat Jeff Danielson resigned last month to take a private sector job. Republican Walt Rogers, a former state … [Read more...]
U.S. Education Secretary in Iowa to tout her ‘school choice’ plan
Betsy DeVos, the U.S. Secretary of Education, was in Iowa today, touting a plan that would give federal tax breaks to individuals and corporations making donations to private school scholarships "to create new opportunities and new choices for students and their families to prepare them for … [Read more...]
Effort to allow campaign funds for babysitting costs fails in Iowa House
A bid to let Iowa political candidates use campaign funds to pay for child care while a parent is campaigning has failed in the Iowa House. Representative Heather Matson of Ankeny says her Democratic Primary opponent raised the issue last year and Matson says the Federal Election Commission is … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst proposes plan to let parents pay for leave time with Social Security
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, has unveiled a plan for new parents to use some of their Social Security savings to pay for time off work to be with the new child. The plan does have some critics. "I do receive some push back because there others who would simply just rather … [Read more...]
Iowa House and Senate endorse gun rights amendment again
The Republican-led Iowa Legislature has again endorsed a proposed gun rights amendment to Iowa's constitution. Senator Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, said the amendment's "strong language" is necessary "in case of laws coming out of D.C. or in case of any court decisions that would … [Read more...]
Senate Republicans pass judicial nominating commission changes
Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to change how judges are selected for the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals. Senator Julian Garrett, a Republican from Indianola, said Iowa needs a "different kind of judge" on those courts. "A lot of us have felt that under the current system … [Read more...]
Governor unveils streamlined app for felons seeking voting rights
Governor Kim Reynold's staff has created a one-page document for Iowa felons seeking the governor's approval of the application to get their voting rights restored. "We're streamlining the process," Reynolds said this morning. The previous document was three pages long. The old process also … [Read more...]