Update: Reynolds Signs Bill Changing Iowa’s Statewide Assessment Developer

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bipartisan bill rejecting the Iowa Department of Education’s choice for a statewide assessment in favor of one developed by the University of Iowa’s Iowa Testing Program.

Education Savings Accounts Receive New Life in the Iowa Senate

Education savings accounts were reintroduced in the Iowa Senate’s version of the Iowa Student Opportunities Act (SSB 3206) by State Senator Charles Schneider (R-West Des Moines) as an appropriations bill and passed through an appropriations subcommittee.

Twenty-One Iowa Legislators to Retire in 2018

Twenty-one Iowa Legislators have decided not to run for reelection in 2018. The Iowa House will have 16 members retire after this session. Twelve Republicans and four Democrats will leave the House. The Iowa Senate Republicans will have two retirements and Democrats will see three.

Five Reasons Iowa Democrats Hope for a Blue Wave in 2018

Iowa Democrats hope for a historic blue wave in 2018 due to President Trump’s unpopularity, a competitive gubernatorial race, a good turnout for the mid-term Iowa Caucuses, the potential to flip Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, and the number of Republican state legislators retiring.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act Advances in Iowa Senate

Iowa’s version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) survived the first funnel week of the 2018 legislative session. SSB 3171, sponsored by State Senator Julian Garrett (R-Indianola) was passed out of the Iowa Senate Local Government Committee by a 7 to 4 vote.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act Filed in the Iowa Senate

A bill entitled the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, was filed in the Iowa Senate on Thursday.  The bill is modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 that was passed with bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton.

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.

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.

Iowa Legislature Lifts Decades-Old Fireworks Ban

Almost 80 years ago Iowa banned the sale and use of consumer-grade fireworks; the Iowa Legislature voted to lift the ban in time for the 4th of July.

A Wave of Pro-Life Bills Filed in the Iowa Senate

The Iowa Senate with its new GOP majority have six pro-life bills filed including bills defunding abortion providers and banning abortions at 20-weeks.

This Independence Day Fireworks Are Still Illegal for Iowans

Kelvey Vander Hart: This Independence Day will show an increase of criminal activity in the state of Iowa. The crime? Illegally shooting off fireworks.

Caffeinated Thoughts Radio 10-17-15

Shane Vander Hart and Ron Carlson discuss the first Democrat debate, and State Senator Mark Chelgren (R-Ottumwa) discusses his decision to run for Congress.

Chelgren Challenges Loebsack in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District

Iowa State Senator Mark Chelgren (R-Ottumwa) announced he will seek nomination to challenge Congressman Dave Loebsack in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

Iowa Senate Democrats Insert Anti-Bullying Language Into Budget Bill

The Iowa Senate passed their appropriations standings bill, SF 510, yesterday. In section XX you’ll find anti-bullying language which was allowed to remain.

Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Bill Filed in Iowa House

Pro-life advocates say seeing an ultrasound picture and hearing its description is an effective tool to help abortion-minded women in the state choose life.

Brad Zaun Introduces Common Core Rollback Bill in Iowa Senate

(Des Moines, IA) State Senator Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) introduced SF 2123 which…