Tuition freeze will reduce student debt, boost economy
Keeping higher education affordable allows more Iowans to get the education and skills they need to find good jobs. It creates a positive cycle that helps our state attract even more businesses and...
View ArticleCelebrating 50 years of community college success
The Iowa Senate recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of legislation establishing Iowa’s community colleges. Retired State Senator Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg, who sponsored the bill in 1965, was on...
View ArticleKeeping our community colleges affordable
Iowa’s community colleges train a skilled workforce at a time when nearly 34 percent of job openings in Iowa require an education level equal to an associate’s degree or higher. Despite the growing...
View ArticleImproving safety in Iowa communities
One of the most important functions of government is keeping its citizens safe. Funding for our state’s Justice System aims to provide a secure Iowa for all. The annual Justice System Budget...
View ArticleAppropriations – week of April 27, 2015
SF 492 – Disaster case management SF 493 – Education Budget FY16 and FY17 SF 494 – Ag & Natural Resources Budget FY16 & FY 17 SF 496 – Judicial Branch Budget FY16 & FY17 SF 497 – Justice...
View ArticleCommerce – week of April 27, 2015
HF 229–Regulation of free trial offers, buying club memberships FLOOR ACTION: HF 229 modifies the regulation of free trial offers and buying club memberships under Iowa’s consumer fraud law and...
View ArticleState Government – week of April 27, 2015
SF 366 – Police officers’ retirement disability FLOOR ACTION: SF 366, as amend by the House, allows those who have a Peace Officer Retirement Systems (PORS) disability to earn 1.5 times the amount of...
View ArticleTransportation – week of April 27, 2015
HF 635 – Department of Transportation omnibus FLOOR ACTION: HF 635 is the Department of Transportation (DOT) omnibus bill. The Senate approved a version of this bill on March 24. However, that bill...
View ArticleWays & Means – week of April 27, 2015
HF 615 – Rural Improvement Zones HF 622 – Vehicle rental fees HF 626 – Future Repeal of State Board of Tax Review FLOOR ACTION: HF 615 updates the Rural Improvement Zone (RIZ) law, which allows for...
View ArticleStepping up efforts against human trafficking
Iowa’s interstate highways are prime routes for human traffickers transporting victims, who are often forced into sex work or other forms of slavery. Many traffickers are parents or family members who...
View ArticleResource guide for ash tree owners
The Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in 21 Iowa counties, creating increasing concerns for tree owners around the state. The Emerald Ash Borer is a small, green invasive wood boring beetle...
View ArticlePreparing to assist those impacted by disasters
New legislation will help ensure that Iowa is ready to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible in times of crisis. Iowans will never forget where they were during the 1993 or 2008 floods—or...
View ArticleNew funding will help ensure privacy of victims
Funding in this year’s Administration & Regulation Budget (SF 498) provides enough money to start a new address confidentiality program to protect victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, human...
View ArticleTransparency & accountability in state government
We must ensure that hush money, secret settlements and political cronyism are not part of Iowa’s state government. Last year, Iowans learned that departments in Governor Branstad’s administration used...
View ArticleSimplifying the work permit process for teens
Recently the Legislature approved HF 397, which streamlines the process for teens to get a permit to work in Iowa. The current process of getting a teen work permit is cumbersome, requiring parents and...
View ArticleIndividual development accounts help Iowans succeed
Iowa’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program is a successful public-private partnership. An IDA supplements the savings of low-income Iowans with matching funds drawn from private and public...
View ArticleCommerce – week of May 4, 2015
HF 504 – Electronic delivery of insurance notices, documents; producer duties FLOOR ACTION: HF 504 relates to the electronic delivery and posting of insurance notices and documents. The legislation...
View ArticleEducation – week of May 4, 2015
HF 646 – PPEL for school transportation repairs COMMITTEE ACTION: SF 501 addresses the issues preventing Iowa from participating in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. The bill language is...
View ArticleGovernment Oversight – week of May 4, 2015
SSB 1276 – Eminent domain for private power lines and pipelines COMMITTEE ACTION: SSB 1276 modifies the use of eminent domain by companies that are not public utilities and not subject to ongoing...
View ArticleJudiciary – week of May 4, 2015
HF 567 – Imitation Controlled Substances FLOOR ACTION: HF 567 is a comprehensive effort to stem the sales of synthetic drugs and ensure that those who sell them can be criminally charged. The bill:...
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