by Jennifer Shutt, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 23, 2024 WASHINGTON — U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Sonia Sotomayor spoke to the nation’s governors Friday about how they disagree on cases of major import without resorting to the rancor that often marks modern politics. Their rare public remarks inside a Washington, D.C., […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 22, 2024 The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday to increase per-pupil state aid for K-12 schools by 3% — a level Democrats said was not adequate to keep up with inflation and does not account for potential new costs from other education proposals lawmakers are considering. House […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 22, 2024 A bill raising fines for violating open meetings or records laws and requiring education for elected and appointed officials was approved in the Iowa House Thursday with bipartisan support. House File 2539 passed 92-2, with Reps. Phil Thompson and Brian Lohse voting against the measure. The […]
by Jennifer Shutt, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 21, 2024 President Joe Biden expanded his push to eliminate student loan debt Wednesday, saying during a speech the initiative is part of a campaign promise to address the “broken” system. “While a college degree is still a ticket to a better life, that ticket is too expensive,” […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 19, 2024 The Iowa Senate approved a bill Monday allowing state agencies to employ private accountants to conduct annual audits instead of the state auditor’s office. Iowa Auditor Rob Sand and Democrats opposed the measure, arguing it will decrease government accountability. Senate File 2311 passed 31-16 and it […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 19, 2024 Republican lawmakers gave initial approval Monday to the governor’s individual income tax cut bill, though Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said other tax proposals could also move forward. Senate Study Bill 3038 received approval in a Senate subcommittee. It would speed up and expand 2022 legislation […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 16, 2024 Most of the priority bills proposed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican legislators made it through the first major deadline for the 2024 legislative session. But the details of many of those major bills are still subject to change in coming weeks. In her Condition […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 15, 2024 In the final day before the first legislative deadline, House lawmakers passed a school funding proposal for the upcoming school year — as well as a measure to increase teacher salaries. The House Education Committee on Thursday passed House Study Bill 712 on Iowa’s State Supplemental […]
by Ariana Figueroa, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 13, 2024 WASHINGTON — In their second attempt in as many weeks, U.S. House Republicans impeached Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday, marking an inflection point in the growing rift between the GOP and the White House over immigration policy decisions at the southern border. […]
by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 13, 2024 Lawmakers passed dozens of bills through committee Tuesday to keep them available for discussion as they near the first deadline of the 2024 legislative session. It’s “funnel week” at the Iowa State Capitol. That means most bills must be approved by a committee by the end […]
