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Gov. Kim Reynolds announces 2022 reelection campaign
Gov. Kim Reynolds is officially running for reelection, she told a crowd of cheering supporters in Des Moines Wednesday night, promising to “ensure that Iowa remains a beacon of freedom, liberty and unlimited prosperity.” “As long as I’m governor, Iowa is going to be a state where you can live your life freely,” Reynolds said. […]
Iowa Senate votes to drop confirmation process for many governor’s appointees
Dozens of the governor’s appointees would no longer go through a Senate confirmation process under a bill advanced Tuesday by the Iowa Senate. Under current law, the Iowa Senate is charged with confirming appointees to various advisory boards, commissions and committees. The Senate must approve appointees by a two-thirds majority – 34 of 50 votes. […]
How will Iowa’s new tax law affect retired farmers?
Retired farmers will have several new tax exemptions to choose from under Iowa’s new tax law, which Gov. Kim Reynolds signed last week. Retirement income taxes will be one of the first things eliminated under the new law. Beginning in 2023, Iowans will no longer pay state tax on income from 401(k) plans, pensions or […]
Iowa tornadoes prompt reckoning on insurance appraisal bill
Two days after a series of tornadoes destroyed several Iowa homes and businesses, lawmakers considered changes to a bill that would alter a key step in making an insurance claim. House File 2299 restricts the appraisal process, stating that appraisers shall not settle disputes between insurance companies and individuals about how damage occurred. Instead, the […]
House passes year-round daylight saving time proposal
Iowa lawmakers are pushing once again to put the state on permanent daylight saving time. Under House File 2331, Iowans would no longer advance their clocks an hour in the spring. Instead, the state would permanently be on daylight saving time, keeping clocks an hour ahead of Central Standard Time all year long. Rep. Mike […]
D.C. Dispatch: Senators propose additional sanctions on Russia
Iowa made national headlines this week as Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered a response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, then signed a controversial transgender athlete bill into law. But the focus of Iowa’s senators stayed on foreign policy as they advocated for additional action to punish Russia for invading Ukraine. Iowa’s senators signed […]
Bill would allow police officers to search garbage without warrant
Iowa police officers would once again be allowed to search garbage cans without a warrant under a bill moving through the Iowa Legislature. Senate File 2296 says Iowans have “no reasonable expectation of privacy” for garbage cans that are placed outside of the home in a “publicly accessible area.” That means a peace officer could […]
Transgender athlete restrictions are now law in Iowa. What comes next?
Transgender girls may no longer play on women’s teams at Iowa schools and colleges. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 2416 into law Thursday. The legislation prohibits transgender girls and women from playing on women’s teams at Iowa’s K-12 schools, public and community colleges, and colleges and universities that are members of the National Collegiate […]
Transgender athlete ban passes Iowa Senate, heads to Gov. Reynolds
Transgender girls will not be allowed to play women’s sports at Iowa schools and colleges under a bill passed Wednesday by the Iowa Senate. That means Gavy Smith, 15, would need to quit volleyball, bowling and golf – or play with the boys. “One of the biggest things during my transition is just to feel […]
Gov. Kim Reynolds presents Iowa as ‘an alternative’ to Democratic policies in State of the Union response
Gov. Kim Reynolds emphasized the importance of personal freedom and presented Iowa’s approach to the economy and COVID-19 as “an alternative” to Democratic policies during her nationally televised GOP response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. “We know our problems require bold action, but we also know that bold action doesn’t have […]
Reynolds signs major tax cuts into law
Surrounded by dozens of Republican lawmakers, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a major tax cut into law Tuesday afternoon, securing a legislative priority hours before delivering a national address Tuesday night. Republicans reached a compromise on the package Thursday, passing a final deal through the House and Senate in a one-day sprint. The law will change […]
House passes bill to prohibit COVID-19 vaccine requirement in schools, day cares
Iowa’s child care centers, schools and colleges would not be allowed to require the COVID-19 vaccine under a bill passed Monday by the Iowa House. House File 2298 would prohibit Iowa schools from requiring COVID-19 immunization for virtual or in-person enrollment. The bill applies to licensed child care centers, K-12 schools, public colleges, community colleges […]