2021
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Much Of Gov. Reynolds Agenda Still Alive This Legislative Session
Friday’s close of the Iowa Legislature’s second “funnel” deadline left much of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ agenda for the 2021 session in play. The end of last week’s cutoff meant all policy had to pass the Iowa House or Senate and through a full committee in the other chamber in order to advance this session.…
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Let’s Not Humor Republican Posturing On Tech In Des Moines
Guest op-ed from Mary McAdams, chair of the Ankeny Area Democrats. As we round the corner against COVID-19, our political leaders should remain focused on the critical issues facing Iowans today: public health, equity, and economic recovery. But instead, Republican lawmakers here in Iowa are wasting precious time pressing forward with legislation like HF 633…
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Honoring Iowa’s Migrant And Farm Workers
This year has been a year of learning, of reflection, of putting things in perspective for many of us. Most of us learned about the importance of slowing down and to be grateful for what we have. We also learned to recognize other people’s important work and sacrifice so we can stay safe and fed.…
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Kim Reynolds Signs Gun Law After Recent Violence
On Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that would make obtaining weapons in Iowa easier, amid a resurgence in mass shootings around the country. Reynolds signed on Friday afternoon a bill which halts requirements that Iowans need to obtain a permit in order to purchase and carry handguns. The new Iowa gun…
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Biden’s Rescue Plan Gets More Iowans Health Insurance Coverage
Thursday’s implementation of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan will be the largest expansion of Iowa health care benefits since the ACA was introduced in 2013, said an Iowa Affordable Care Act specialist. Jeremy Smith of Iowa Navigator, a non-profit health insurance marketplace enrollment assistance group, said that Biden’s COVID-19 relief package’s expanded eligibility for…
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Iowa COVID Back Up From Spring Break Travel, Contagious Variant, IDPH Says
Iowa’s COVID-19 cases have begun to creep back up, and spring break travel along with an increase in the virus’ variants may be the cause, said Iowa Department of Public Health interim Director Kelli Garcia on Wednesday. “We must still recognize that the virus is circulating in our state, and we’re seeing that in the…
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Public-Funded, Privately-Run Charter Schools Closer To A Reality In Iowa
Iowa House Democrats put up a long but unsuccessful fight last week over Republican efforts to establish public funding for privately-run charter schools—a years-long attempt that Democrats have been working hard this session to stop. Democrats spent over five hours into early Thursday morning last week opposing a bill that would make public charter schools…
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Republicans Target Another Local Control Measure, This Time On Energy
A bill advanced in the Iowa Senate on Monday that would prohibit cities and counties from regulating natural gas or propane sales triggered a debate on how Republicans value local control this Legislative session. Passed 29-16 along party lines, the bill will bar local governments from overseeing energy choice in their communities. It comes as…
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Amara Andrews Runs To Lead A More Inclusive Cedar Rapids
It has been my position that as a U.S. citizen with the right and responsibility to vote, I will vote my conscious. As a person of color, I have always believed that just because a Latino(a) is running for office, it does not mean that I will vote for that candidate. Now, I will not…
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Iowa’s Asian Americans Ask For Unity In Fighting Hate
A year ago, as the pandemic started, we all watched how another story began to unfold; the former president kept referring to the coronavirus as the “kung flu” and the “China virus.” Ever since then, the racist acts and harassment against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community surged, and the xenophobic rhetoric used by…
