Browsing Tag

Iowa Senate

282 posts

Time to Strengthen Iowa’s 99% Spending Limitation

John Hendrickson: Iowa taxpayers deserve constitutional protection, and the best way to do this is to protect taxpayer interests through a stronger spending limit. Ā 

Bill Allowing Homeschoolers in Iowa Learning Online Initiative Advances

A bill, SSB 3030, allowing families that homeschool under competent private instruction or independent private instruction to utilize the Iowa Learning Online Initiative passed in the Iowa Senate Education Committee.

Iowa Senate Considers Tweaking School Year Start Time

The Iowa Senate Education Committee will consider a bill that will allow public school districts and accredited non-public schools to start their school year on the Monday following the end of the Iowa State Fair if it falls earlier than August 23.

McCoy Wants Independent Private Instruction Parents to Notify Schools

State Senator Matt McCoy (D-Des Moines) introduced a bill into the Iowa Senate that would require parents who homeschool under independent private instruction (IPI) to submit a written notice to their local school districts by September 1st of their intent to do so.

What To Do With the Bottle Bill?

Jason Schultz: The Iowa Beverage Container Deposit Law, or ā€œBottle Billā€ as most people refer to it, was enacted in 1978 in response to the number of cans found discarded in road ditches. Should the Iowa Legislature update, repeal, or leave the law alone?

K-12 Education Bills of Note Before Iowa Legislature Early in 2018

Shane Vander Hart provides a round-up of K-12 education bills of note that are before the Iowa House and Iowa Senate Education Committees after the first week of the 2018 session of the 87th Iowa General Assembly.

I’m Optimistic About What Lies Ahead for Iowa

Jack Whitver: I have never been more optimistic about what lies ahead for our state. It is a great time to be an Iowan, but an even better time lies ahead if tackle the big issues and commit to bold ideas.

Recapping The First Week of The 2018 Session in the Iowa Legislature

Jason Schultz: As we get back in the habit of driving to the Capitol each day, I am reminded of how grateful I am to serve western Iowa as their Senator.Ā  The work we do now will benefit Iowa for years and even a generation to come, and I am thankful they allow me to be a part of it.

Video & Transcript: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ 2018 Condition of the State

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds focused on water quality, tax reform, ending sexual harassment, investing in small-town Iowa, Medicaid, mental health, opioid addiction, education spending, and career readiness as she laid out her agenda for the 2018 legislative session.

Iowa Legislature Kicks Off With Republicans Focused on Tax Reform

The Iowa House and Iowa Senate gaveled in on Monday morning to launch the 2018 session of the 87th General Assembly with Republican leaders focused on tax reform during their opening remarks.

Iowa Senate GOP Leadership Release Internal Review of Harassment Complaints

An internal review ordered by Iowa Senate GOP Leadership found their harassment training to be ineffective and several unreported instances of harassment.

Kramer Appointed as Advisor to Iowa Senate to Improve Workplace Culture

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix announced he appointed former Ambassador Mary Kramer to assist efforts to improve the Iowa Senate’s workplace culture.

Opioids: A Growing Crisis of Addiction

Steven Holt: In the coming legislative session we will work with Governor Kim Reynolds to find ways to fight this growing public health hazard.

How Conservative Was the Iowa Legislature in 2017?

Shane Vander Hart: To listen to the Iowa press and Democrats you would think the Iowa Legislature passed the mother lode for Iowa conservatives. Hardly.

14 Democrats Vote Against Ban on Monitoring Devices in Public Restrooms

14 Iowa House Democrats voted against a ban on monitoring devices in public restrooms and locker rooms in public schools, libraries, and government offices.

Iowa’s 20-Week Abortion Ban Heads to Governor Branstad’s Desk

The Iowa Senate passed the Iowa House’s amendment to the 20-week abortion ban 30 to 20 sending the bill to Governor Terry Branstad’s desk.