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State university students cite homelessness, debt in response to Regents’ proposed tuition increase
Iowa State graduate student Rachel Sorensen said Monday she is homeless for the summer because she’s not earning enough to cover the cost of living. She told members of the Iowa Board of Regents her situation isn’t unique and their plan to increase state university tuition and fees will make it worse. “My concern when […]
University student representatives raise concerns about potential tuition raise
Student leaders at Iowa’s state universities said proposed tuition increases and eroding state support will harm not only students but Iowa’s communities in the future. The Iowa Board of Regents will consider a proposal Monday to increase tuition for in-state graduates and undergraduates by 4.25%. The meeting will only be the first reading and the final […]
D.C. Dispatch: Iowa’s representatives join on legislation to bolster biofuels
Iowa’s federal representatives helped introduce and pass a legislative package this week aimed at controlling rising food and gas prices, that includes expanded ethanol sales. The Lower Food and Fuel Cost Act, which contains five bills, passed the House with bipartisan support Thursday. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Randy Feenstra and Ashley Hinson introduced an act within […]
Iowa governor signs elder abuse penalties amid a flurry of new laws
Gov. Kim Reynolds sat down with a pile of pens Wednesday at Highland Ridge, a senior care facility in Williamsburg. She signed Senate File 522, a bill establishing criminal penalties for elder abuse. It passed unanimously in both chambers of the Iowa Statehouse. Supporters of the bill gathered around the desk where she signed the […]
Iowa Board of Regents considers tuition hike for state universities
The Iowa Board of Regents proposed a 4.25% tuition increase for all three state universities for the coming school year, following an unexpectedly low 1.1% increase in funding from the Iowa Legislature. The board meets Monday to consider the tuition change. With only an extra $5.5 million in state aid added to their budget, the […]
D.C. Dispatch: Iowa Republicans propose alternatives to gun control
All three of Iowa’s Republican congressional representatives announced their support this week for alternative legislation to address school violence after voting against a gun-control package passed by the U.S. House. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican, helped introduce the Secure Every School and Protect our Nation’s Children Act or STOP II Act. “As a father of […]
Attorney general candidates spar over lawsuits against Biden administration
Republican candidate for Iowa attorney general Brenna Bird says she plans to take the Biden administration to court if elected in November. Incumbent Attorney General Tom Miller, a Democrat, says that’s not what the office is about and he’ll focus on serving everyday Iowans. If elected, Bird said she plans to challenge the Biden administration […]
Halbur receives Republican nomination for state auditor in a tight race
Small business owner Todd Halbur has won the Republican nomination for state auditor in a tight race, according to Associated Press projections. He will face off against Democratic incumbent Rob Sand in the November election. Halbur had 51% of the vote late Tuesday, while former state Rep. Mary Ann Hanusa received 49% with about 96% of […]
Joel Miller takes Democratic ticket for secretary of state
Linn County Auditor Joel Miller won the Democratic nomination for Iowa secretary of state and will run against Republican incumbent Paul Pate for the seat in November. The Associated Press declared Miller the winner Tuesday evening with 70% of votes, while Clinton County Auditor Eric Van Lancker received 29% with 78% of precincts reporting. Miller, […]
D.C. Dispatch: Iowa lawmakers respond to Ames’ deadly shooting
Members of Iowa’s congressional delegation responded with grief and prayers after a shooting Thursday evening killed three people outside a Christian ministry gathering in Ames. Also this week, GOP lawmakers addressed the use of tax dollars for abortion and the infant formula shortage. In Ames on Thursday evening, Eden Montang, 22, and Vivian Flores, 21, were […]
State university leaders receive pay increases; grad students demand one too
Members of the University of Iowa’s graduate student union called on the Iowa Board of Regents to raise salaries for graduate workers to match rates of inflation. Meanwhile, the board approved raises or bonuses for state university presidents and the head of the Iowa School for the Deaf. For the 2021-2023 academic year, returning employees […]
Iowa Public Radio maintains services despite elimination of state funding
Iowa Public Radio anticipates a tight budget but no major impact on programming for listeners despite the Legislature’s move this year to eliminate state support from the program, its executive director said Wednesday. Republican legislators voted to eliminate $345,000 in state support for Iowa Public Radio. The Iowa Board of Regents also halted funding the […]