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.

Iowa House Bill Would Authorize “Bible as Literature” in Public Schools

Eleven states allow the Bible to be taught as literature in their public schools, with Kentucky being one of the most recent. Should a bill, HF 2031, introduced in the Iowa House on Wednesday pass into law Iowa would join that number.

Life At Conception Bill Filed in the Iowa House

State Representative Greg Heartsill (R-Chariton) introduced HF 279, a life at conception bill, into the Iowa House of Representatives, that is co-sponored by 22 lawmakers.

New Iowa House Bills Address Common Core, Smarter Balanced

State Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville) introduces bills in the Iowa House opposing Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards and Smarter Balanced.

Bill Banning Sale or Research on Unborn Infant Remains Advances in Iowa House

A bill that bans the sale and experimentation on unborn infant remains advanced out of an Iowa House subcommittee on Tuesday.

Ted Cruz in Johnston: Charleston Shooter is the Face of Evil

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz at stop in Johnston, IA said that the Charleston shooting shouldn’t be politicized in order to strip rights from law abiding citizens.

The Iowa House Passes Pre-Abortion Ultrasound Bill

An ultrasound bill passed in the Iowa House of Representatives late Thursday afternoon on a 57 to 39 vote with bipartisan support.

Branstad on Gas Tax Hike: Timing Is Right

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said that the timing is right for a gas tax hike while legislators consider transportation infrastructure funding options.

Marriage Debate Resumed in Iowa House

Iowa House Republicans introduced two bills addressing the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court decision that ruled Iowa’s Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional.

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.

Iowa State Legislators Share Their Goals for Session

Several Iowa State Legislators share with Caffeinated Thoughts their goals for the 2015 legislative session for the 86th Iowa General Assembly.

Common Core Debate Comes to the Iowa House

(Des Moines, IA) State Representative Tedd Gassman (R-Scarville) introduced two bills that…

Group Exposes Taxpayer Funding for LGBTQ Promotion

Pastors, legislators & parents expressed their displeasure with taxpayer money used to fund the Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth on April 3rd.

Photos: Paul Ryan Rally in Adel, Iowa

Photos from Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Paul Ryan’s visit to the Dallas County Courthouse in Adel, IA.