2013 VETO SUMMARY
SF 204 – Exclusion from Gambling Facilities (bill vetoed) SF 396 – Government Efficiency (item veto) SF 406 – Involuntary Commitment, Division of Mental Health Advocate (item vetoed) SF 430 – FY14 and...
View ArticleGood quality of life grows Iowa’s middle class
We know Iowa is a great place to live, and the rest of the country seems to agree with us. Congressional Quarterly Press and other national organizations consistently rank Iowa among the most livable...
View ArticleWater quality gets a big boost
Thanks to improved water management initiatives, Iowa’s lakes and rivers will soon be healthier, flooding will be reduced, and more Iowa soil will stay on the land. This approach benefits water quality...
View ArticleKeeping Iowa a great place for kids
Iowa is one of the best states in the country to raise children. In this year’s national Kids Count survey, Iowa ranks high for economic well-being, health, and family and community. Overall, Kids...
View ArticleApply for State Historic Preservation Tax Credits
Applications for State Historic Preservation Tax Credits are being accepted through July 31. The program provides a state income tax credit of 25 percent of qualified rehabilitation costs for historic...
View ArticleQuit smoking with the help of free nicotine replacement
The Iowa Department of Public Health is making four weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (patches and gum) available to Iowans through the end of the year. To sign up for free nicotine...
View ArticleExperience Iowa culture and history this summer
Summer is a great time to get out and experience the arts in Iowa. From music festivals to barn dances, Iowa has it all. Travel Iowa, Iowa’s tourism website, maintains an online calendar of arts...
View ArticleCheck 511 when planning summer travel
As you plan your summer travels, remember that Iowa’s 511 service is available 24/7 to provide real-time updates about weather-related road conditions, road work, commercial vehicle restrictions,...
View ArticleBudget cuts force layoffs at state job agency
Senator Bill Dozler, chair of the Senate's Economic Development Budget questions cuts at Iowa Workfoce Development, which affect 30 people. During this year's legislative session, Sen. Dotzler asked...
View ArticleGet to know Senator Danielson, Pt. 1
Senator Jeff Danielson represents Hudson, Cedar Falls and Waterloo in Black Hawk County. He recently appeared as a guest on The Steele Report on NBC affiliate KWWL Channel 7. This is a new public...
View ArticleGet to know Senator Danielson, Pt. 2
Segment 2: Iowa’s historic 2013 session—tax relief, Medicaid expansion, education investment and improvement, compromise and actually getting things done, Iowa education #1 again, I’m a big fan of...
View ArticleGet to know Senator Danielson, Pt. 3
Segment 3: Gov. Branstad vetoes UNI funding using the University of Phoenix as a reason, funding UNI fairly and completely, UNI has declining enrollment, voting “no” on Board of Regents appointments,...
View ArticleNew tax breaks help expand Iowa’s middle class
Iowa’s growing economy has allowed us to cut taxes while balancing the state budget and protecting local services and schools. The changes we made during the 2013 session will put more money in the...
View ArticleSmall businesses benefit from property tax credit
Throughout this year’s overhaul of Iowa’s property tax system, Senate Democrats were committed to ensuring our small businesses got a boost. That’s why the reforms we approved include a Main Street...
View ArticlePreserving Iowa history draws big investment
Efforts to fix up Iowa’s historic properties and business districts got a boost this year. During the 2013 session, the Legislature expanded opportunities for Iowans to use State Historic Tax Credits....
View ArticleVideo contest for teens
Through July 31, the Iowa Department of Public Health is sponsoring a video contest as part of Health Insurance for Teens Week, August 11-17. Teens aged 13 to 19 who live in Iowa can participate in the...
View ArticleBecome an outdoors woman
Registration is open for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop Sept. 20-22 at Springbrook Conservation Education Center in Guthrie County. The workshop is an opportunity for anyone 18 or older...
View ArticleHunter education course available online
Adults wanting to satisfy their hunter education requirement to purchase a hunting license have a new option. Iowans 18 and older may take the Iowa hunter education course from two approved online...
View Article2013 Legislative Interim Studies & Appointments
Approved by the Legislative Council July 18, 2013 A. Statutory Committees Legislative Fiscal Committee (Iowa Code §§ 2.45(2), 2.46) Charge: The committee is a permanent body under the Legislative...
View ArticleStarting a promising school year for Iowa students
With the start of a new school year, students of all ages are returning to Iowa classrooms. Some exciting changes await them, as the education reforms we approved during the 2013 session raise...
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