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 […]
Mar 18 2024 | Posted in
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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 […]
Mar 18 2024 | Posted in
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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 […]
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 […]
Mar 7 2024 | Posted in
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by Kathie Obradovich, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 29, 2024 Iowa lawmakers are taking another stab at trying to control traffic cameras with the overhaul of a bill that would restrict the uses and locations of automated law enforcement devices and regulate the revenues generated by them. Legislators have been wrestling for years over issues posed […]
by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 29, 2024 A buildup of nitrate in farm fields that has likely resulted from Iowa’s longest-running drought in 70 years has set the stage for a potentially massive uptick in stream pollution, state water-quality observers say. Research has shown that nitrogen fertilizer that goes unused by crops can […]
Mar 1 2024 | Posted in
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by Jared Strong, Iowa Capital Dispatch February 27, 2024 The operators of a defunct hog confinement in southern Iowa have failed for more than five years to dispose of its leftover manure, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The department recently ordered Raul Flores-Castillo and Virginia Flores to remove all manure from the […]
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 […]
Feb 23 2024 | Posted in
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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 […]
Feb 23 2024 | Posted in
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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 […]
Feb 22 2024 | Posted in
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