Six of seven Republicans on an Iowa Senate committee have endorsed a plan to require more of the Iowans getting health care benefits through Medicaid to work or volunteer in their community. "Able-bodied Iowans should work if they're receiving public benefits," Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican … [Read more...]
Appeals Court turns down challenge to new judicial nominating system
The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld a district court ruling dismissing a lawsuit seeking to undo changes to the state's judicial nominating system that Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law last year. The Appeals Court ruling says the group of Democratic lawmakers argued they were surprised by … [Read more...]
Mobile home dwellers again seek Iowa legislators’ help
Iowans who live in mobile home parks are appealing again to Iowa lawmakers, asking for new legal protections against what they describe as predatory owners. Carrie Presley, who lives in Table Mound Trailer Park in Dubuque and is president of the tenants' association, spoke at a statehouse news … [Read more...]
Mobile home park bill tabled over rent control concerns
A key legislator has tabled a bill drafted in response to significant rent increases in mobile home parks in Iowa that were recently purchased by a Utah-based company. "It initiates some price controls and some things that we, as free market folks, are not comfortable with," says Representative … [Read more...]
Iowa legislators again propose 72-hour waiting period for abortions
Two abortion-related bills have advanced as Iowa lawmakers approach an end-of-week legislative deadline for committee votes. One bill approved by a Senate panel would require pregnant Iowans to view an ultrasound image and then wait three days to have an abortion. The Iowa Supreme Court struck … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley says U.S. should do more to end religious descrimination
While freedom of religion is a protected constitutional right thanks to the First Amendment, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says that freedom is under attack here in the U.S. and abroad. Grassley, a Republican, says religious discrimination endangers innocent lives in cultures and societies around … [Read more...]
Proposed amendment states Iowa Constitution doesn’t confer abortion rights
The 32 Republicans in the Iowa Senate today endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that says the state's founding document does not protect abortion rights. "Ending life through the practice of abortion is the most egregious violation of human rights in the history of humanity," Senator … [Read more...]
Iowa bill a response to case of Indiana abortion doctor
A bill has been introduced in the Iowa House in response to the recent case of more than 2400 fetal remains found in the garage and vehicle of an Indiana doctor who performed abortions. Tom Chapman of the Iowa Catholic Conference says burying the dead respectfully is important to the Catholic … [Read more...]
Reynolds plans road tour to build support for Invest in Iowa Act
Governor Kim Reynolds is holding town hall meetings around the state to build support for her "Invest in Iowa Act." The plan would raise the state sales tax, lower other taxes and dedicate more money for water quality initiatives and the state's mental health system. "I'm going to go out there … [Read more...]
GOP lawmakers wrestle with school funding decision
There's disagreement among Republicans at the statehouse over how many state tax dollars to forward to Iowa's public schools for the next academic year. Republicans in the Iowa Senate favor a 2.1% increase in per pupil spending. "Looking at in total, it's on average about $3000 per classroom … [Read more...]