Ways & Means – week of May 4, 2015
SF 226 – Fireworks SF 502 – Commercial breeders of companion animals – inspections and fees SF 503 – Study of fees collected by the county sheriff SF 504 – Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation...
View ArticleLimiting the spread of bird flu
Iowa is in the midst of an outbreak of bird flu, which is hitting commercial chicken and turkey facilities across the state. Governor Branstad declared a state of emergency on May 1 to activate the...
View ArticleIowa teachers deserve our appreciation
For more than 30 years, the National Parent Teachers Association has designated the first week in May as a special time to honor the men and women who use their passion and skills to educate our kids....
View ArticleBetter Iowa fishing with interactive features
Recent updates to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources fishing webpages feature a new fishing atlas, fishing structure locations, and a catalog of more than 250 printable fishing maps. It’s all...
View ArticleInvesting in natural resources, water quality
The Senate Ways & Means Committee has approved legislation to fulfill the state’s commitment to provide sustainable funding for natural resources and outdoor recreation. SF 504 would increase the...
View ArticleHouse needs to act on bipartisan anti-bullying bill
In 2007, the Iowa Legislature required school districts to adopt safe school policies to guard against harassment and bullying. Unfortunately, there is still too much of it going on. This issue was...
View ArticleScholarships for injured workers
Former Congressman Bruce Braley has established a scholarship through a gift to the Iowa Association for Justice. The Byard Braley Scholarship Fund is in honor of Congressman Braley’s father, who was...
View ArticleSenate’s budget protects vulnerable Iowans
The Senate approved the Health & Human Services (HHS) Budget this week. SF 505 is one of the state’s largest budgets, with funding for the departments of Human Services, Public Health, Aging,...
View ArticleReforming the use of eminent domain in Iowa
The Senate Government Oversight Committee has approved legislation that would curtail the use of eminent domain for certain energy projects proposed by private companies in Iowa. Eminent domain is the...
View ArticleCourt’s budget must ensure justice for all Iowans
Iowa’s court system works for all Iowans. Our Judicial Branch: • Enforces criminal laws. • Resolves civil legal disputes, thus maintaining a stable and robust business environment. • Resolves family...
View ArticleDating violence is domestic violence
Violence in dating relationships is just as dangerous as violence in married or cohabitating couples relationships, according to the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Here in Iowa, though, a...
View ArticleAppropriations – week of May 11, 2015
SF 510 – Standings FY16 & FY17 Budget HF 650 – Infrastructure Budget FLOOR ACTION: HF 650 is the House’s version of the Infrastructure Budget. The Senate has a strike...
View ArticleEducation – week of May 11, 2015
SF 501 – SARA Higher Education Registration Agreements FLOOR ACTION: SF 501 addresses the issues preventing Iowa from participating in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. The bill language is...
View ArticleWays & Means – week of May 11, 2016
SF 509 – Accessible fuel pump standards and tax credits HF 616 – Property tax notices and assessment of multi-residential properties COMMITTEE ACTION: SF 509 requires the Iowa Department of...
View ArticleAppropriations – week of May 18, 2015
SF 510 – Standings FY16 & FY17 Budget FLOOR ACTION: SF 510 is the FY16/FY17 Standings Budget. The bill appropriates $3.54 billion from the General Fund for FY16....
View ArticleNatural Resources – week of May 18, 2015
HF 544 – Establishing plasma gasification as a preferred waste management practice FLOOR ACTION: HF 544 adds waste conversion technologies to preferred methods of solid waste management. Waste...
View ArticleWays & Means – week of May 18, 2015
SF 511 – Renewable energy tax credits HF 654 – Changes to IEDA’s Programs HF 660 – Require public hearing prior to increase in city franchise fee HF 662 – Vital records copies COMMITTEE ACTION: SF...
View ArticleBetter understanding helps Iowans combat human trafficking
Iowans have been hearing a lot about human trafficking lately—that it’s taking place here in the heartland and how they can help stop it. Human trafficking is the trade of humans, most commonly for...
View ArticleThe battle for top-quality Iowa schools continues
Across Iowa, students and teachers are coming to the end of another school year. Unfortunately, there is still no compromise on funding for the next school year, which begins in August. More than three...
View ArticleNew laws benefit those who served and sacrificed
Memorial Day is this Monday, May 25. That’s the day we remember those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The history of Memorial Day — originally known as Decoration Day — began three...
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