Government + Politics
Bill would make permanent last year’s changes to ‘Brady-Giglio’ law
Iowa House members unanimously passed legislation Tuesday disposing of the sunset provision on recent changes made to the state dealing with “Brady-Giglio lists” — documents kept by prosecutors of law enforcement officers whose credibility is in question. House File 631 removes the July 1, 2023, repeal that included in a measure signed into law by Gov. […]
Democrats fear bill could halt public land acquisition, trail development
Supporters of a bill passed by the Iowa Senate Tuesday said the legislation “modernizes” Iowa’s planning for public land use and maintenance, but some Democrats feared the measure would unintentionally limit new public land acquisitions. Senate File 516 repeals the current programs in place for maintenance and acquisition of open space properties and recreational trails […]
Iowa Senate passes higher penalties for stalkers who use GPS to track victims
The Iowa Senate unanimously passed legislation Tuesday that would raise criminal penalties on people convicted of stalking using a technological device. The move comes amid a high-profile stalking case involving two Des Moines bar owners. Senate File 201 would increase penalties for stalking if a person uses a technological device, like a computer or phone, […]
The donkey lives! Iowa Democrats are doing more than listening
There’s an old story about a minister who wanted his parishioners to think more deeply about the hereafter. One Sunday morning when all were gathered in their pews, he called three men to the front of the church and asked them to turn and face the congregation. He then said to the three, “Imagine you […]
Former U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder remembered as women’s rights trailblazer
Many are remembering former U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder, a Colorado Democrat who was a trailblazer for women’s rights throughout her life and career. Schroeder spent time in Iowa during her childhood and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1958. Schroeder, who represented Denver in Congress for 24 years beginning in 1972, died […]
States to receive $2.5B from feds for electric vehicle charging infrastructure
The federal government will send $2.5 billion over the next five years to states, local governments and tribes to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Biden administration officials said Tuesday. The new Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant program, which was authorized by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, will spend $2.5 billion over five years to build […]
Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse differs from our last financial crisis
After the largest U.S. bank failure in more than a decade, regional bank stocks plunged on Monday as the federal government — with the 2007-2008 financial crisis still a fresh memory for many — rushed to reassure Americans that the U.S. banking system was stable. President Joe Biden told Americans the risks taken on by […]
Trump criticizes DeSantis, calls for national ‘school choice’ at first 2023 Iowa event
Davenport, Iowa — Former President Donald Trump, in his first Iowa stop as an official presidential candidate, took aim at a potential rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump said if DeSantis joins the 2024 presidential race, his track record on ethanol and Social Security could cost him the Iowa caucuses. “I don’t think you’re gonna […]
Bill would scale back school nurse requirement, explore teacher health training
New legislation was advanced by a Senate subcommittee on Monday that would eliminate a goal for school districts to employ one nurse for every 750 students and directs the state Department of Education to reevaluate what health care-related training school staff should be required to complete. Senate File 390 is a wide-ranging bill that additionally […]
Care facility residents call on state lawmakers to increase monthly allowance
Iowa’s Medicaid-dependent nursing home residents are asking state lawmakers to raise the monthly allowance they collect for personal living expenses. The Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office is leading a statewide effort to raise the Personal Needs Allowance for Medicaid beneficiaries in care facilities from $50 per month to $85 per month. The allowance is used […]
Biden says U.S. bank deposits are safe despite tumult over California bank collapse
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden reassured Americans early Monday that their money is safe in U.S. banks, after a tumultuous weekend following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and a move by regulators to shut down a second lender. Americans “should feel confident that their deposits will be there, if and when they need them,” […]
GOP principles go up in smoke at the Iowa Statehouse
Republicans in the Iowa Legislature like to talk about their bedrock principles. This year, those principles seem to be printed on tissue paper and every new bill lights another match. I wrote a whole column last week about how Statehouse Republicans, despite their repeated declarations of trust for parents, are working to eliminate choices for […]