Government + Politics
Chapman: ‘Shameful’ censorship by tech giants should ban them from contracts, aid in Iowa
Legislation that would ban state and local government contracts or aid for tech companies that censor online content could endanger economic development and disrupt operations across universities and school districts, critics told lawmakers Wednesday. The legislation, Senate File 402, was introduced by Senate President Jake Chapman, R-Adel, and 29 colleagues. It advanced to the full […]
Republican lawmakers aren’t improving election security
Iowa’s 2020 election was one for the record books — with 1.7 million people marking ballots. It was an impressive turnout in Iowa — with 76% of Iowa’s eligible voters taking part. There were no allegations of election fraud or polling place shenanigans in Iowa. No one suggested people from cemeteries were casting ballots in […]
Senate passes major election bill one week after its introduction
The Iowa Senate passed a sweeping elections bill Tuesday that would shorten the time frame for absentee and early voting and create strict statewide standards for county auditors with felony penalties for misconduct. “The 2020 election saw record turnout in the state and across the country,” said Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, who led a three-hour […]
Haaland faces GOP critics at her Interior confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON — Rep. Deb Haaland confronted expected tough questioning from Republican senators on Tuesday at her confirmation hearing to become the first Native American secretary of the Department of the Interior. But the New Mexico Democrat also drew support from Rep. Don Young, a longtime Alaska Republican who made a quick appearance to praise her […]
Bill would cut Iowa unemployment benefits for workers starting in 2022
A business-backed proposal to cut unemployment benefits for workers and reduce dependent benefits for people with large families drew criticism Tuesday for adding stress to already-stretched Iowans. House Study Bill 203 would impose a one-week waiting period before new unemployment benefits would start after someone loses a job. It also would cut off extra benefits […]
Bill that would ban local laws on zoos and pet stores advances in Iowa Senate
Legislation that would prohibit cities and counties from restricting the operation of zoos, pet stores and other businesses that involve animals advanced in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday. Despite vocal opposition from representatives of Iowa’s cities as well as animal-welfare groups, the three-member Senate Agriculture subcommittee voted unanimously to move Senate Study Bill 1195 to […]
U.S. Senate confirms Vilsack for a second stint as secretary of Agriculture
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday in a 92-7 vote confirmed former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to run the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a second time. Vilsack, 70, also headed the $151 billion agency under the Obama administration, for eight years. But he has garnered criticism from Black and minority farmers for his treatment […]
Bill would impose tougher penalties on school officials who violated COVID-19 reopening orders
School officials who violate state laws, including COVID-19 reopening orders, could be subject to stiffer penalties under a bill moving through the Senate. Senate Study Bill 1213 introduces new penalties for superintendents and school board members who violate Iowa’s educational laws. School board members may be removed for “knowingly or intentionally violating” Iowa law. Superintendents […]
Public weighs in on controversial election bill zooming through Iowa Legislature
An elections bill advancing quickly through the Iowa Legislature faced accusations of voter suppression from some and accolades for election security from others. The bill, known separately as House File 590 and Senate File 413, proposes several changes to Iowa’s election process, including: Fewer days to request and return absentee ballots; Fewer days for in-person […]
Cities and counties voice opposition to Reynolds’ police-funding proposal
A key element of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “Back the Blue” legislation ran into more opposition Monday, even as it advanced in the Iowa Senate. Senate Study Bill 1203 stipulates that a city or county would be ineligible to “receive any state funds” if it reduces the budget of its law enforcement agency, unless that budget […]
Iowa redistricting plan still in limbo due to U.S. census delays
Iowa’s redistricting plan faces a schedule snafu in 2021 and legislative leaders still “don’t have any idea” how it will be resolved, according to nonpartisan legislative staff. Iowa’s Constitution says the Legislature needs to finalize a legislative redistricting plan by Sept. 1. Then, Gov. Kim Reynolds has two weeks to review the plan and sign […]
Appeals court to hear city official’s lawsuit alleging newspaper ran him out of town
The Iowa Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments this week in an unusual case involving a former city administrator who argues that an eastern Iowa newspaper successfully campaigned to “run him out of town” through unfavorable news articles and editorials. Craig Malin, who served as Davenport’s city administrator from August 2001 until June 2015, […]