Senate Republicans are crafting a "fix" that would ensure future Iowa governors have the constitutional authority to appoint a lieutenant governor who could also become the state's chief executive. After an attorney general's ruling in May, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds appointed an "acting" … [Read more...]
Whitver says ending state’s property tax replacement payment on the table
The president of the Iowa Senate is hinting Republicans are ready to end state payments to cities and counties that were promised to make up for expected lost tax revenue. The state payments began after the legislature voted in 2013 to roll back commercial property tax rates. Senate President … [Read more...]
Senate GOP’s midyear budget cuts unveiled
Republicans in the Senate have drafted a bill that would pare about $52 million out of the current year's state budget. It includes nearly $25 million in cuts to the three state universities and 15 community colleges. Republican Senator Charles Schneider of West Des Moines says cuts are necessary … [Read more...]
House Speaker says lawmakers expect Medicaid ‘to be fixed’
The legislature's top Republican says she and her colleagues expect improvement in how the state's Medicaid program is being managed. "I've heard loud and clear from each of our members," says House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, a Republican from Clear Lake. "...They expect this to be fixed." On April 1, … [Read more...]
Branstad back from China to spend holidays with family in Iowa
Ambassador Terry Branstad is back home in Iowa for the first time since assuming his post in China. The former Iowa governor attended his brother's funeral in Leland on Monday and plans to spend the holidays here. On Wednesday, Branstad worked from a desk in the governor's office, catching up on … [Read more...]
Forum focusing on fixes to Iowa’s mental health care system
All the Democrats and one of the Republicans running for governor in 2018 will participate in a Tuesday evening forum, to discuss Iowa's mental health system. Democratic candidate Nate Boulton, a state senator from Des Moines, has been calling for reopening the two state-run Mental Health … [Read more...]
Concerns raised over latest wrinkle in Medicaid managed care
Advocates for disabled patients are speaking out about upcoming changes in Iowa's privately-managed Medicaid program. One of the for-profit companies managing the program is ending its contract with the state on November 30. Critics say it will be a difficult for the 18,000 patients who need … [Read more...]
Governor seeks third-party review of couple’s lobbying for Saudi Arabia
Governor Kim Reynolds today said she'll ask the legislature to "address a loophole" that apparently has allowed two state officials to work as agents of a foreign government. Kim Schmett - a former Republican candidate for congress - and his wife, Connie, were paid more than $100,000 by Saudi … [Read more...]
Turn-out more than 60 percent in first two days of recertification votes
A state board reports more than 60 percent of eligible government employees have already cast ballots in "recertification" votes for their local bargaining unit. A new state law requires a vote to recertify union representation for a bargaining unit before contracts talks with public employees … [Read more...]
Reynolds says 2017 legislature ‘most pro-jobs…in two decades’ (AUDIO)
As Republican Kim Reynolds campaigns for a full, four-year term as governor, she is highlighting the work of the first Republican-led state legislature in 20 years. It's all work that turned into the laws Terry Branstad approved before resigning and handing the governorship over to his lieutenant … [Read more...]