On Tuesday, the Republican majority on the rules committee of the Iowa House of Representatives rejected proposals from Democrats that would have required face masks to be worn in the Iowa Capitol Building and made it possible for lawmakers and members of the public to participate remotely during this year’s legislative session. Democrats proposed two […]
Iowa House of Representatives
Wear a mask, Iowa Public Health Association asks state lawmakers

The Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) sent an open letter to the state legislature on Thursday, asking lawmakers to “accept your position of critical role models to the people of Iowa” and “lead by example and always wear a mask during your work at the Capitol and ask others to do the same.” As IPHA […]
Iowa surpasses 200,000 COVID cases; Republican lawmakers talk about relaxing restrictions

During her news conference on Thursday morning, Gov. Kim Reynolds said the number of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks was about to spike by 20; but as of Friday afternoon, the Iowa Department of Public Health has added 25, pushing the number of ongoing outbreaks in long-term care facilities to […]
Republicans push through new abortion restriction in Iowa legislature’s last session of 2020

Republicans in the Iowa legislature fast-tracked a bill imposing a 24-hour waiting period on women seeking an abortion. The bill was passed just hours after the new waiting period was first introduced. The quick series of votes came during the final session of the year for both the Iowa House of Representatives and the Iowa […]
Two lawmakers call for an oversight committee investigation of Test Iowa, as the Iowa legislature prepares to reconvene

When the Iowa legislature reconvenes this week, the House of Representatives’ Government Oversight Committee will have to consider a request from two lawmakers to investigate Test Iowa. The legislature suspended its 2020 session on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers will return to the capitol on Wednesday, June 3 to complete work left […]
Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek is running for the Iowa House of Representatives

Lonny Pulkrabek announced on Thursday he is running for the Iowa House of Representatives in District 73, which covers eastern Johnson County and all of Cedar County. Pulkrabek, who has been Johnson County sheriff since 2005, said in May 2019 he would not seek another term as sheriff. “After 35 years in law enforcement, I’ve […]
Dave Jacoby announces he’s running for his 10th term in the Iowa House

Rep. Dave Jacoby of Coralville announced on Tuesday he’s running for reelection to the Iowa House of Representatives. Jacoby, who is currently in his ninth term in the legislature, represents District 74, which covers Coralville, Penn Township and parts of Iowa City. “It’s an honor serving the people of District 74, and I ask for […]
Iowa Senate approves anti-abortion constitutional amendment on a party-line vote

On Thursday, the Republican majority in the Iowa Senate approved an amendment to the Iowa Constitution that would undermine a woman’s right to make reproductive health choices, in an attempt to make abortion illegal. The vote was 32-18, with all Republicans voting in favor of the amendment and all the Senate’s Democrats […]
‘Democracy means voter choice’: Christina Bohannan kicks off her campaign for the District 85 seat in the Iowa House

The next primary for the state legislature is almost eight months away, and almost all the political attention in Iowa is still focused on presidential candidates. Nevertheless, the Game Room at Big Grove Brewery and Tap Room in Iowa City was full on Wednesday night as Christina Bohannan held the first event of her campaign […]
Christina Bohannan announces run for an Iowa City seat in the Iowa House of Representatives

University of Iowa College of Law professor Christina Bohannan announced on Monday that she is running for the Iowa House of Representatives. Bohannan, a Democrat, is running in Iowa City-based District 85, which is currently represented by Vicki Lensing, a fellow Democrat. “I am running for the Iowa House of Representatives, because over […]
Republicans cut Iowa AG Tom Miller’s budget because he opposes Trump policies

An indignant Rep. Gary Worthan took the floor of the Iowa House of Representatives on Thursday night to deny Republicans are cutting the attorney general’s budget for partisan reasons, just before explaining that Republicans are cutting the attorney general’s budget for partisan reasons. But the Storm Lake Republican who chairs the Justice Systems Appropriate Subcommittee, […]