State Assembly
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Taxpayer money, private schools: How vouchers stripped Des Moines Public of $47M
The Hawkeye State implemented a taxpayer-funded private school scholarship program three years ago. It’s since cost Iowa’s largest public school district nearly $47.5 million in state funding.
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Iowa Dems release plan for paid family leave, $15 minimum wage
Iowa House Democrats economic plan hits on a host of issues they say will help working families survive Iowa’s worst in the nation economy. Iowa House Democrats unveiled a sweeping agenda Wednesday that would dramatically reshape the state’s approach to worker pay, healthcare affordability, and family support. House Minority Brian Meyer positioned it as an…
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Renee Hardman chosen as Iowa Democrats’ nominee to replace Claire Celsi
Iowa Democrats have chosen West Des Moines City Council Member Renee Hardman as the party’s nominee for a coming special election for an Iowa legislative seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Claire Celsi. Hardman defeated four other candidates at an Oct. 21 special nominating convention to win the Democratic nomination. She promised to…
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Why Rob Sand is singing ‘America, the Beautiful’ at rallies
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has been starting his campaign stops across Iowa with an unusual ritual: leading crowds in singing “America the Beautiful.” Sand, the current state auditor, has held town halls in venues ranging from churches to breweries, where he encourages attendees from different political parties to acknowledge each other before joining together…
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Iowa DOGE targets retirement pensions for teachers, law enforcement
A taskforce appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds recommended eliminating the state pension system for new employees and replacing it with a 401(k)-style plan. Iowa DOGE’s proposal has sparked fierce, bipartisan opposition. Governor Kim Reynolds promised in 2018 she’d “protect and defend” Iowa’s public employee retirement program, IPERS. Approaching her final year as governor, her administration…
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Iowa Board of Regents tries banning university courses that teach about social justice
The Iowa Legislature passed a bill this session banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and trainings by “public entities,” including Iowa’s public universities. And they spelled out exactly what they don’t want us to learn about: “unconscious or implicit bias, cultural appropriation, allyship, transgender ideology, microaggressions, group marginalization, anti-racism, systemic oppression, social justice, intersectionality, neopronouns, heteronormativity,…
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Iowa students will have to watch inaccurate video thanks to Republican lawmakers
Iowa lawmakers have passed a bill that will make students watch a medically inaccurate video on fetal development. A pregnancy education bill, Senate File 175 (SF175), has passed both houses of the Iowa Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature. If signed, it will require students in grades 5-12 to view a fetal development…
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Iowa pumps brakes on crypto ATM transaction fees
A new law caps daily crypto ATM transactions at $1,000, limits fees to 15% of the transaction amount, and requires operators to provide full refunds when customers can prove they’ve been scammed. The law also mandates written warnings for customers and gives Iowa’s attorney general authority to levy hefty fines against operators who violate the…
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Iowa Legislature passes budget bill, adjourns with no property tax cut
Lawmakers worked through the night Wednesday to reach a budget deal after a contentious session went into overtime. While most of us were sleeping, the Iowa Legislature adjourned — 13 days late. Legislators had to burn the midnight oil to close out a 123-day session and pass a nearly $9.4 billion budget. Before the session…
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Iowa senator accused Republican leadership of ‘bullying tactics and threats’ over eminent domain vote
A Republican state senator is raising the alarm about his own party leaders retaliating against him after he joined an effort to force a vote on regulating carbon pipeline projects. A Republican state senator is raising the alarm about his own party leaders retaliating against him after he joined an effort to force a vote…
