by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 14, 2025 Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told Iowans on his first stop of a national town hall tour that he wanted to give a voice to people who feel unheard by Republicans in Washington. But he said there was another motive for these events: he is “soul-searching” following […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 13, 2025 Members of the Iowa Revenue Estimating Conference said Thursday that although national economic uncertainty is making clear budget projections difficult, the state was still in a sound fiscal position as recently approved tax cuts take effect. The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met Thursday to review and […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 11, 2025 Iowa farmers and institutions lost an estimated $11.3 million in federal funding to support the purchase of locally raised foods, following the recent termination of two U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship notified partners Monday afternoon that agreements made […]
by Ashley Murray, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 12, 2025 WASHINGTON — The European Union released a lengthy list Wednesday of U.S. goods, from Kentucky bourbon to household appliances, slated for retaliatory tariffs in response to President Donald Trump’s taxes on steel and aluminum imports that went into effect overnight. The 27-nation bloc announced late Tuesday […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 11, 2025 The Iowa House unanimously passed legislation Tuesday offering legal protections against lawsuits filed to limit freedom of speech and press. House File 472 is the latest attempt to enact an anti-SLAPP law in Iowa. SLAPP refers to “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” civil lawsuits filed without […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 11, 2025 Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday there may be some economic difficulties caused by the Trump administration’s cuts to federal spending and workforce, but the overall trajectory to reduce government size and spending will bring positive changes. Reynolds spoke alongside former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey at the […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 3, 2025 A bill banning gene-based vaccines, like some forms of the COVID-19 vaccine, received approval from a Senate subcommittee Monday. Senate File 360 would prohibit health care providers from administering gene-based vaccines, with penalties of a misdemeanor charge and a fine of $500 for each violation, as […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 13, 2025 The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday with a 2.25% per-pupil funding increase alongside other funding changes for Iowa’s public K-12 schools. The move sends the legislation back to the Senate, which proposed a 2% rate. The House voted 58-35 to pass an amended version of […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 11, 2025 Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, said Tuesday he has high hopes for the Iowa Legislature to pass an anti-SLAPP bill this session after several years of the measure stalling. SLAPP, or “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” is a term used for civil lawsuits filed to intimidate a […]
by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 7, 2025 The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy has been updated to reflect increased access to data and new practices, including a precision ag-tool to optimize nitrogen application. The nutrient reduction strategy was developed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources […]
