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 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 Senator Adrian Dickey Good afternoon Senate District 44! I’d like to start this week’s dispatch off with the sad news of David Heaton from Mount Pleasant passing away. Representative Heaton served Henry County for 23 years in the Iowa House, retiring in 2017. While Dave had been away from the Capitol for 8 years, […]
by Senator Ken Rozenboom Funding for K-12 schools In our first floor debate of the year, the Senate passed our version of the K-12 education funding proposal for this year. Senate File 167 is a $235 million increase for K-12 education in Iowa. Iowa’s total amount in state aid for K-12 schools will come to […]
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 Representative Helena Hayes February 12, 2025 The State Legislature is once again considering a bill that would limit civil liability for chemical companies that manufacture pesticides. The bill recently passed out of a Senate subcommittee on February 5th and is awaiting agenda action in the Senate Judiciary Committee. This pesticide bill is a tort […]
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 […]
