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 […]
DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 2.9 percent in February, down from 3.0 percent in January and equal to the rate one year ago. Meanwhile, despite widespread job growth across multiple industries, Iowa’s labor force participation rate ticked down from 67.3 percent in January to 67.2 percent in February as […]
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 […]
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 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 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 […]
