As promised, the Republicans in the Iowa House last week announced they were planning to unveil a bipartisan gas tax hike bill. While that bill has not yet materialized, another House Republican has put up a plan for a phased-in, six-cent increase in Iowa’s motor fuel taxes. House File 144, […]
By The Iowa Statesman FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, in an op-ed for Wired, has announced his vision for Net Neutrality in the U.S. Click here to read the entire article. “This week, I will circulate to the members of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed new rules to preserve […]
A bill offered yesterday in the Iowa House of Representatives may take Iowa out of the national heads for a while – for a good reason. House File 140, offered by state Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Garwin) and co-sponsored by Reps. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville), Jarad Klein (R-Keota), Ralph Watts (R-A), Larry […]
In what is quickly becoming an almost daily occurrence, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today named Roxann Ryan the Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner. Ryan had been serving as acting commissioner of the department since Jan. 9, when she to over for the retiring Larry Noble. Her appointment is effective […]
An eastern Iowa legislator has offered a very short and simple bill that he hopes will provide an avenue to save several state-operated facilities and the jobs that come with them. Senate File 140, offered yesterday by state Sen. Rich Taylor (D-Mt. Pleasant), if signed into law, would add only […]
Iowa Senate Democrats have offered a number of pieces of legislation this session aimed at preventing at-risk students from becoming high school dropouts. The most recent offering of the Senate Committee on Education, chaired by state Sen. Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames), however, would require Iowans to remain in school until adulthood. […]
A bipartisan bill offered yesterday in the Iowa Senate would create a new tax credit for those who construct infrastructure to support vehicles powered by alternative fuels. Senate File 143, sponsored by state Sen. Matt McCoy (D-Des Moines) and Sen. Tim Kapucian (R-Keystone), would create a tax credit for anyone […]
The Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee is currently holding a legislative hearing on the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 1772), a bill introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith last Congress and approved by the House Judiciary Committee on June 26, 2013 by a vote of 22-9. Click here to watch live.
Bob Eschliman Editor Friday marks the first legislative dead of the session, when representatives and senators may no longer offer their own bills. As the House begins to debate bills its members have already offered, however, the pace of new bill creation has slowed down. In the Senate, despite […]
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 239-186 to pass H.R. 596, U.S. Rep. Steve King’s full repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as ObamaCare. The bill has previously passed the Republican-controlled House, but this will be first time it has been presented to a Republican-controlled […]
Gov. Terry E. Branstad today appointed Beth Townsend the director of Iowa Workforce Development. Townsend has been serving as acting director of the department since Jan. 11, when former director Teresa Wahlert retired. Townsend previously served as director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. “As the Director of the Iowa […]
The story of the Great Spencer Fire is one of legend, and is often referenced as the reason why Iowa still prohibits the sale and use of consumer fireworks. While the link between the catastrophic blaze and the legality of fireworks is ambiguous, at best, it may soon become a […]
Everyone should, by now, have their W2s and 1099s in hand, procrastinating on their taxes until the last possible moment in April. And, while it’s too late to do much about it this year, a northwest Iowa legislator hopes to make Iowans at least a little less apprehensive about “tax […]
Iowans who lo at the happenings in Des Moines and wonder, “Where did my voice go?” may not have to wonder much longer. Senate File 114, offered last week by state Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale), would require all state agencies to include a citizen-feedback component to their rulemaking and regulatory […]
A number of bills have been offered in the Iowa General Assembly this session dealing with elections and voter registration. But a group of Republicans in the Iowa House of Representatives wants to undo some past changes. House File 138, offered yesterday by state Rep. Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville), would effectively […]
By The Iowa Statesman Trivia games and bos are going to need rewrites later this year after it was announced that one of America’s most famous authors is going to be published once again. The author’s first — and until now, only — bo has become a mainstay of […]
A Republican state senator has seemingly takes President Obama’s idea for free community college to the next level. Senate File 90, offered last week in the Iowa Senate, is sponsored by state Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale). It would direct the Iowa Board of Regents to instruct its universities to waive […]
The largest oil refinery strike since 1980 entered its second day today as negotiators for both management and the United Steelworkers returned to the negotiating table. According to Bloomberg Business, the union has already rejected five offers from the oil companies. This is the first national strike since 1980, when […]
A bill offered yesterday in the Iowa Senate would put state government back in business again – doing the work of private businesses. Senate Study Bill 1128, offered by the Senate Committee on State Government, which is chaired by Sen. Jeff Danielson (D-Waterloo), would allow any non-state government entity or […]
In the past, American courts – even a few in Iowa – have gone to great lengths to justify a legal position, sometimes loing beyond our nation’s borders. But, a bill offered in the Iowa House of Representatives yesterday is meant to rein that in. House File 135, offered by […]
By The Iowa Statesman Yesterday, President Obama submitted his budget to Congress, and not surprisingly, the House of Representatives panned it on sight. The $4 trillion spending plan creates $2.4 trillion in new spending (i.e. debt), which is justified by tax increases. According to Bob Unruh, the Obama Budget […]
From a Press Release Gov. Terry E. Branstad today appointed Joe Cortese Iowa’s Workers’ Compensation Commissioner. Cortese will replace Michelle “Miki” McGovern, who had been serving as the acting Commissioner since September 2014. “With over thirty years of experience in workers’ compensation, I’m confident Joe Cortese will serve as […]
By The Iowa Statesman According to a report today by National Review On, the Obama Administration has been violating not just the will of the people, but his constitutional oath of office almost since the day President Obama to office. That statement probably isn’t really news to most conservatives, […]
Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released the following statement on President Obama’s fiscal year 2016 budget proposal, which calls for $4 trillion in spending, nearly $500 billion in deficit spending, $640 billion in new tax revenue, and fails to balance the budget: “President Obama’s budget is of the […]
By The Iowa Statesman There has been a lot of talk about the depth and quality of the field of candidates for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. But, loing at this list, it’s clear we really have no idea just how deep that field really is. Granted, few of […]
If a bill in the Iowa Senate finds its way to becoming law, it will completely change the way many public officials in the state are paid – or least how much they receive. Senate File 102, authored by Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) aims to overhaul the manner in which […]
As government intrusion in our daily life continues to grow by leaps and bounds, a bill offered last week in the Iowa Senate is a breath of fresh air for many small business owners. Senate File 118, offered by state Sens. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale), David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan), Bill Anderson (R-Pierson), […]
A bill offered last week in the Iowa Senate would direct the state to sell off or lease out a key piece of its infrastructure as a means to save money on the cost of its operation. Senate File 119 was offered by state Sens. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale), Bill Anderson […]
Republicans in the Iowa Senate have offered a couple of bills meant to flex Iowa’s constitutional muscle with regard to federal government interaction and enforcement. Both bills – Senate Concurrent Resolution 3 and Senate Joint Resolution 4 – were offered last week. Both were sponsored by Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale). […]
A bill offered last week in the Iowa House of Representatives would alter how residents of Iowa can respond to the appearance of cougars – also called mountain lions – in their neighborhoods. House File 117 is offered by state Rep. Dave Deyoe (R-Nevada) and would prohibit anyone in the […]
A group of Iowa House Republicans last week launched their attack on Obamacare, starting with components that fall under the purview of the Iowa General Assembly. House File 94 was offered in the House last week and forwarded to the House Ways and Means Committee. It is sponsored by state […]
State Sens. Jake Chapman (R-A) and Bill Anderson (R-Pierson) have decided to take on the state’s big spenders in a way that will have them seeing a lot less red in the years to come – if their bill becomes law. Senate File 95, offered last week and referred to […]
A group of Iowa Senators have offered a bill to demand that Congress take immediate action that would benefit future generations of Americans. Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 was offered last week by seven state senators. The sponsors are Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale), Sen. Jack Whitver (R-Ankeny), Sen. Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton), […]
For years, low-income Iowans have been protected from utility disconnections in the cold of winter, if they meet certain criteria. Now, those same people may be protected in the heat of summer, as well. House File 114, sponsored by state Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad (D-Des Moines), would apply the same financial […]
If a bill proposed last week in the Iowa Senate is passed, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will have a lot less work to do in the years to come. Senate File 98, offered by state Sens. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) and Randy Feenstra (R-Hull), would place a moratorium on […]
An amendment to the Iowa Constitution offered in the Iowa Senate last week will likely give local school districts across the state something they have wanted for a long time. Senate Joint Resolution 3, sponsored by Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale), must first be approved by both chambers of the Iowa […]
A bill offered last week in the Iowa Senate aims to get all tobacco products out of Iowa schools, but in the process, it’s likely to anger a lot of adults. Senate Study Bill 1109, proposed by the Senate Education Committee chaired by Sen. Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames), has been titled […]
Bad weather couldn’t stop a large number of Iowa conservatives from gathering Saturday afternoon. And what they discussed could have a wide-reaching impact on Iowa politics. Representatives from a wide array of tea party, property rights, government accountability, convention of states, state nullification, education reform, and Christian ministry groups gathered […]
U.S. Rep. Rod Blum (R-IA) signed on as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 594, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act. This legislation is designed to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies from expanding improper jurisdiction of private and state property under the […]
It’s clear the authors of a new piece of legislation in the Iowa General Assembly are opposed to the practice of abortion. But, how they’re going about restricting it – thereby regulating it – has raised a few eyebrows across the state. Senate File 91, offered this week by state […]
By The Iowa Statesman Yet another Christian business owner’s livelihood is at stake in central Iowa. The owners of Gortz Haus were previously facing civil rights complaints for their refusal to allow gay marriages at their businesss. Now, it’s gone a step farther. Today, they announced they would no […]
Gov. Terry Branstad today appointed an eastern Iowan to one of the key positions in his administration. The appointment is temporary — for now — and goes into effect tomorrow. Jerry Bartruff, the Deputy Director of Operations for the Eastern Region of the Iowa Department of Corrections, was announced today […]
U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) wants to put an end to “monopoly bargaining” in a big way. So, he’s decided to do something about it. “Every American and their employer should have the power to negotiate the terms of their employment, and no American should be forced to pay union […]
By The Iowa Statesman In a move that would have impressed even Dikembe Mutombo, Senate Democrats dissed their Republican counterparts today. In response, Senate Minority Leader Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) issued the following press release: Senate Republican Leader Dix proposed a bi-partisan solution today in the Senate Rules […]
By The Iowa Statesman President Obama’s nominee to replace Attorney General Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, certainly gave Republicans plenty to object to during a Senate confirmation hearing. But one answer in particular could easily be a disqualifying remark for most Americans. U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), chairman of the […]
By The Iowa Statesman File this one under “duh.” Sales of the new iPhone 6 outpaced projections, bringing a huge financial windfall for Apple, Inc. That, coupled with the rise of China’s consumer-driven economy, made CEO Tim Co’s day — big time. According to Reuters, Apple shattered the record […]
Bob Eschliman Editor The past week has seen a number of very important bills offered in both the Iowa House of Representatives and the Iowa Senate. Click on the links below to read the bills that were offered: House Study Bill 62 – an act to establish a […]
A group of Iowa House Republicans offered a bill today that will no doubt have One Iowa furious. House File 101 was offered Tuesday by Reps. Greg Heartsill (R-Melcher-Dallas), Steven Holt (R-Denison), Sandy Salmon (R-Janesville), Tedd Gassman (R-Scarville), Dean Fisher (R-Garwin), Larry Sheets (R-Moulton), John Kooiker (R-Boyden), and Ralph Watts […]
The Office of Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced that the Governor has been released from Iowa Methodist Medical Center after being admitted out of an abundance of caution due to a mild flu and dehydration. The governor was released at approximately 9 a.m. and is currently resting comfortably […]
The House has taken up its first floor debate of the 2015 session this morning, discussing HF 80, a bill offered by House Committee on Education. You can watch the debate, live, by clicking here (it will be archived later today, we’ll share that link when it becomes available).
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