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U.S. Senate in overnight vote sends $1.2 trillion government spending package to Biden

A U.S. Senate vote in the wee hours on Saturday, March 23, 2024 wrapped up the government funding process for fiscal year 2024, six months late. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

by Jennifer Shutt, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 23, 2024 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate took a broadly bipartisan vote early Saturday to approve a $1.2 trillion spending package, sending the measure to President Joe Biden for his signature with no time to spare after missing a midnight deadline. The 74-24 vote wraps up the government […]

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird seeks to force TikTok to raise age rating to ’17+’

TikTok

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 22, 2024 Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is asking a court to require TikTok to change its age rating in the Apple App Store. Bird is seeking a temporary injunction that would require TikTok, a video social media app, to change its age rating to “17+” in the […]

Police chiefs praise new House bill to regulate traffic cameras

Close-up on speed trap surveillance camera along highway to control speeding to reduce speeding related accidents.

by Kathie Obradovich, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 20, 2024 Representatives of Iowa law enforcement on Wednesday praised an Iowa House bill to regulate traffic cameras, offered as an alternative to legislation to ban use of the devices to issue speeding tickets. House Study Bill 740 advanced out of a three-member subcommittee with unanimous support.  It […]

Senate committee advances ‘sin tax’ for consumable hemp products

Drinks and other consumable products containing CBD and THC, derived from hemp, not marijuana, would be subject to a 25% excise tax under the proposal. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 20, 2024 As lawmakers consider restrictions on hemp-derived THC and CBD products, the Senate Ways and Means Committee passed a measure Wednesday that would add a sin tax to consumable hemp products. Senate Study Bill 3186 would set a 25% excise tax on the sales price of consumable hemp […]

State revenue estimate dips slightly as lawmakers discuss tax cuts

Jeff Plagge, Kraig Paulsen and Jennifer Acton reviewed state budget predictions for the upcoming year at the Revenue Estimating Conference meeting March 15, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 15, 2024 Despite a slight reduction in expected incoming taxes, the Revenue Estimating Conference predicted Iowa will collect about $9.6 billion in the current fiscal year as Iowa lawmakers begin review of individual income tax cuts proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds and lawmakers. The three-person panel consists of […]

Which bills survived, which died as second ‘funnel week’ ends at the Iowa Capitol

The State Capitol in Des Moines. (Photo by Katie Akin/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 14, 2024 As lawmakers ended the second “funnel” deadline of the 2024 legislative session, many of the priorities laid out by Republican leadership at the beginning of the session remain in limbo – while many more were taken out of the running for consideration. Though Republicans hold a […]

D.C. Dispatch: Murder prosecution, child care affordability and veterans’ assistance

U.S. Capitol (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

by Jay Waagmeester, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 8, 2024 Both chambers of Congress continued to work toward approving appropriation bills this week, and the Iowa delegation introduced legislation tied to murder prosecution, environmental regulations, affordable child care and more. Iowa’s four congressional delegates voted in favor of the first of two funding packages to avoid […]

Bill to split TikTok from Chinese ownership gets unanimous vote from key U.S. House panel

US Capitol

by Ashley Murray, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 7, 2024 WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on the powerful U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved a White House-supported bill that would force TikTok to split from its Chinese parent company or face prohibition from U.S. app stores and web hosting services. Members voted 50-0 Thursday to advance […]

Trump, Biden close in on clinching nominations after broad Super Tuesday victories

Donald Trump stopped in Des Moines this past week in support of his presidential campaign.

by Ashley Murray, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 6, 2024 WASHINGTON — Despite facing 91 felony counts, hefty civil penalties and a packed 2024 legal calendar, Donald Trump emerged on Super Tuesday as the Republican Party’s presumptive choice as its presidential candidate in November. The former president has secured 995 of the necessary 1,215 GOP delegates […]

Bills addressing AI-created porn, misleading content pass Iowa House

The Iowa Capitol

by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch March 6, 2024 As concerns grow about the misuse of artificial intelligence in creating images and videos, House lawmakers passed several bills Wednesday adding criminal charges for certain uses of AI — as well as passing legislation requiring minors to receive parental consent to access social media. House File […]

     

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