Ensuring more Iowans can get to their jobs
In communities both urban and rural, many Iowans have no way to get to work. Maybe their job is a couple towns away from where they live, or perhaps they work third shift in a town with no late-night...
View ArticleIowans must get paid for their work
This week, the Senate Labor & Business Relations Committee approved Senate File 39, which is designed to strengthen Iowa’s wage theft laws. All Iowans deserve to get paid for the work they do....
View ArticleBoost to minimum wage will strengthen Iowa economy
It’s been seven years since Iowans have seen an increase to our state’s minimum wage. No other state has lingered at $7.25 per hour longer than Iowa. Five out of six states surrounding Iowa have a...
View ArticleHow should our state universities be funded?
Historically, state universities and colleges have received state funding based on the number of full-time students enrolled at the beginning of the semester. Many states are reconsidering this type of...
View ArticleFarm injury prevention grants available
Through March 2, applications are being accepted for grants to youth who want to prevent farm-related injuries. Successful applicants will receive $500 grants for efforts to decrease the risk of...
View ArticleCommerce – week of March 2, 2015
SF 346 – IID omnibus SF 347 – Commercial breeders regulation SF 348 – Portable electronics insurance sales, regulation SF 349 – IID corporate governance annual disclosure COMMITTEE ACTION: SF...
View ArticleEconomic Growth – week of March 2, 2015
SF 344 – Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit SF 350 — Renewable Chemical Tax Credit COMMITTEE ACTION: SF 344, as amended in committee, creates a tax credit for employers who employ an apprentice...
View ArticleEducation – week of March 2, 2015
SF 255 – Extends SAVE for 20 more years SF 281 – AEA mental health pilot SF 301 – PPEL technical fix for West Des Moines SF 356 – Makers labs at science center model of STEM SSB 1048 – Licensing a...
View ArticleJudiciary – week of March 2, 2015
SF 107 – Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse SF 152 – Condemnation of Property SF 238 – Prisoner Charges and Expenses SF 250 – Indemnification of Peace Officers SF 296 – Unauthorized Placement...
View ArticleHuman Resources – week of March 2, 2015
SSB 1095 – Court appointed special advocates & family assessments SSB 1167 – Healthcare workforce recruitment assessment SSB 1180 – Voluntary juvenile court services & social report court...
View ArticleLabor & Business Relations – week of March 2, 2015
SSB 1004 – Payroll Debit Cards SSB 1237 – Disconnection Devices for Distributed Electric Generation Facilities COMMITTEE ACTION: SSB 1004 relates to the payment of wages by debit card or pay card. As...
View ArticleLocal Government – week of March 2, 2015
SF 355 – Civil Service Residency Requirements COMMITTEE ACTION: SF 355 relates to employee residency qualifications in cities with a civil service commission. Current law prohibits cities with a...
View ArticleNatural Resources – week of March 2, 2015
SSB 1189 – Wildlife disease management control program and zones SSB 1206 – Apprentice hunter program SSB 1207 – Invasive tree pest revolving loan fund SSB 1222 – Air quality fund and air quality fees...
View ArticleState Government – week of March 2, 2015
SSB 1062 – Time off Work for Presidential Caucuses SSB 1065 – Competitive Bidding Interim SSB 1073 – Open Records SSB 1122 – Radon Control in New Residential Construction SSB 1131 – E911 Emergency...
View ArticleTransportation – week of March 2, 2015
SSB 1041 – Making texting while driving a primary offense SSB 1069 – Department of Transportation omnibus SSB 1241 – National Motor Vehicle Title Information System SF 241 – Bicycle lights after dark...
View ArticleAccess to mental health services must be maintained
We are committed to continuous improvement of Iowa’s modernized mental health system. That’s why we were surprised when Governor Branstad announced plans to close Mental Health Institutes (MHI) in...
View ArticleHelping Iowans with disabilities live independently
The U.S. Congress passed a bill in December called the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act). The ABLE Act allows people with disabilities to establish tax-free savings trusts where money...
View ArticleUpdating court records for accurate public information
The Senate Judiciary Committee recently approved a bill allowing those charged with a crime to apply to have court records of the criminal charge and proceedings expunged if the charges were dismissed...
View ArticlePayroll debit cards must be fair for Iowa workers
Imagine it’s payday, and you get your pay for the week. It’s on a payroll card (similar to a debit card) instead of a check or direct deposit. You didn’t have a choice in receiving your pay this way....
View ArticleIowa should get tougher on texting while driving
Polls show more than 80 percent of Iowans want tougher laws for texting while driving. In 2010, Iowa made it a crime to write, read or send a text message while driving, but the law is a secondary...
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