U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley is set to play a top role as the Senate Judiciary Committee chair in hearings next week on courts blocking President Donald Trump’s actions. Members of Iowa’s congressional delegation also introduced legislation to make English the official language of the nation and to address a shortage of truck drivers. The Senate […]
Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch
Posted inStatewide
Bill shuts Iowa’s largest counties out of economic development funds for three years
Iowa’s four most populous counties would not be able to access state economic development programs and their funds for three years under a bill advanced Wednesday by an Iowa House subcommittee. The legislation, HSB 310, would impose a three-year moratorium, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, on all programs administered by the Iowa […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Gov. Tim Walz says at Iowa town hall he is ‘soul-searching’ after 2024
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told Iowans on his first stop of a national town hall tour that he wanted to give a voice to people who feel unheard by Republicans in Washington. But he said there was another motive for these events: he is “soul-searching” following the 2024 general election, when he and Vice President […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Bill cutting state funds for libraries belonging to the American Library Association and the Iowa Library Association advances
The Iowa House Education Committee voted 14-9 Tuesday to advance legislation removing state funding from public libraries that pay dues to state or national nonprofit organizations involved in government lobbying, like the Iowa Library Association or American Library Association. The legislation, HF 284, proposes changes for eligibility to receive Enrich Iowa funds through the State […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa House subcommittee advances bill restricting political party changes before caucuses, primaries
A House proposal would require Iowa voters to be registered with a political party one month in advance of that party’s caucuses or primary elections in order to participate. HF 353 would require voters who want to participate in a party caucus or primary to be a registered member of the party at least 30 […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Bernie Sanders is bringing his ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour to Iowa City
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is heading back to Iowa this month as part of a new tour criticizing the Trump administration and associates like Elon Musk. Sanders, who won second place in the Iowa Caucuses as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2016 and 2020, announced Wednesday the launch of his “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Property tax legislation expected in the 2025 session, legislative leaders say
Iowans should expect to see further property tax law changes brought up in the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers said Tuesday at the Greater Des Moines Partnership legislative leadership breakfast. Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner, House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst and Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny, answered questions and talked about their […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks wins reelection after recount, AP projects
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ reelection win in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District was confirmed Wednesday as the recount requested by Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan concluded. The Associated Press called the race at 3:07 p.m. Wednesday, several weeks after the Nov. 5 general election. As of the latest updates from the AP, Miller-Meeks won with unofficial results […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Sen. Nate Boulton concedes race to GOP challenger Mike Pike after recount
Iowa Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, conceded his race for reelection Friday after the recount for Iowa Senate District 20 concluded and found Republican Mike Pike maintained his lead. Boulton served in the Iowa Senate since 2017 and held the position of Iowa Senate Democratic whip in the most recent General Assembly. In his concession […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Gaming panel hears public comments on Cedar Rapids casino proposal
Members of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission heard mostly favorable comments Wednesday about a proposed new casino in Cedar Rapids, as well as some concerns from people affiliated with a group, Iowans for Common Sense, launched to oppose casino expansion in the state. The IRGC meeting was held at the Kirkwood Center in Cedar […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Judge upholds state guidance to challenge ballots of potential noncitizens
A federal judge on Sunday upheld the Iowa Secretary of State’s guidance to challenge the ballots of more than 2,000 Iowans listed as potential noncitizens leading into the Nov. 5 election. The ACLU brought a lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of naturalized citizens and the League of United Latin American Citizens. It sought to block Pate’s […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Sen. Joni Ernst rallies Pennsylvanians for Trump in lead-up to Nov. 5
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst told a group in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania on Friday that she was on the national campaign trail supporting Donald Trump because Iowa was already guaranteed to support the former president. The Iowa Republican has been on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania since Wednesday, holding events alongside other surrogates across the state as […]
