Apply for Environmental Excellence Awards
Through March 28, Iowa businesses, organizations and citizens are invited to apply for the state’s Environmental Excellence Awards. These awards are the premier environmental honors in Iowa,...
View ArticleState Historical Society seeks award nominations
Through February 1, the State Historical Society of Iowa is seeking nominations for three awards that recognize individuals, groups and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the...
View ArticleIs Iowa doing right by troubled kids?
Last May, Governor Branstad signed bipartisan legislation to fund the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo. In December, he suddenly decided to shut it down. This week at the Statehouse, legislators heard...
View ArticleMake your voice heard on renewable fuels
Iowa’s economy thrives on renewable fuels. New markets for corn and soybeans have brought better prices for Iowa commodities, created jobs in our communities and generated all kinds of economic...
View Article3 ways to strengthen Iowa’s middle class
The United States created the strongest economy in the world by building a large middle class. Unfortunately, it has become more difficult since the Great Recession for lower- and middle-income Iowans...
View ArticleSupporting our students in their school of choice
Iowa is known for quality schools and teachers. We value our education system and the many opportunities it provides our children. Strengthening those opportunities is a top priority in our work at the...
View ArticleCommunity colleges must remain affordable
Community colleges help Iowans working to improve their skills and their lives. Iowans turn to our outstanding community colleges to take their high school equivalency exam, learn basic skills, train...
View ArticleFree tax assistance available
The AARP is providing free tax assistance and preparation to low- and moderate-income Iowans this year. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to qualify. In 2012, more than 225 volunteers...
View ArticleHosts needed for state park campgrounds
Do you want to spend the summer camping in an Iowa state park? Become a campground host. Campground hosts receive free camping while working with state parks staff by assisting campers, explaining park...
View ArticleEDUCATION – Week of Jan. 27, 2014
SF 2018 – Instruction Hours and Days Technical Fix SSB 3105 – FY16 Allowable Growth SSB 3106 – FY16 Categorical Allowable Growth SSB 3107 – Property Tax Relief in School Aid Formula COMMITTEE ACTION:...
View ArticleHUMAN RESOURCES – Week of Jan. 27, 2014
SF 2009 – Chronic Lyme Disease Task Force SSB 3007 – Iowa Prescription Monitoring Program (Information Exchange) SSB 3013 – Iowa Board of Dietetics Technical Bill COMMITTEE ACTION: SF 2009, as...
View ArticleWAYS & MEANS – Week of Jan. 27, 2014
SF 303 – Military retirement pay tax exemption SR 103 – Federal Wind Energy Production Tax Credit FLOOR & COMMITTEE ACTION: SF 303 exempts from the individual income tax all military retirement...
View ArticleInvesting in student achievement
Boosting student achievement is central to achieving our goal of building a high-skill, high-wage economy and strengthening Iowa’s middle class. However, it’ll be hard to reach that goal if the amount...
View ArticleRemoving barriers to career success
Iowa ranks among the top states in which both parents work. As we look at ways to strengthen Iowa’s middle class, it makes sense that families have access to safe, affordable childcare that allows them...
View ArticleVeterans bring skills to our workforce
We’re pleased that the first bill approved in the Senate this year is a bipartisan measure for our veterans. Senate File 303 will exempt all military retirement pay from Iowa individual income tax...
View ArticleTreatment courts are good for Iowa families
A new approach to keeping families together is seeing success in Iowa. Family Treatment Courts work with community professionals to help Iowans struggling with substance abuse or other problems that...
View ArticleReducing distractions for safer roads
Distracted driving is an increasing safety concern on our roads. Drivers divert their attention from the road for any number of activities—adjusting the radio, eating, grooming and interacting with...
View ArticleArts enrich student education
More than 60 fine arts teachers and organizations came to the State Capitol to advocate for the arts in education and incorporating fine arts in the Iowa Core Curriculum. Opera great and Centerville...
View ArticleProtecting Iowa’s farming future
Healthy soil and water are key to maintaining Iowa’s place as the agricultural heartland. Our state has 100 soil and water conservation districts that work with farmers and landowners. Local offices...
View ArticleEnsuring every eligible voter’s ballot counts
Iowans expect our elections to be secure, accurate and efficient. After all, our democracy is based on citizens making their voices heard. That’s why it came as a big disappointment when the Cerro...
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