A bill to expand access to medicinal cannabis in Iowa may be debated as soon as today. Senate File 506 has received bipartisan support and may pass in the senate. The ways and means committee, including Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D-Iowa City), voted 14 to 1 to move forward with the bill.
Iowa Legislature
Posted inCommunity/News, Features
Workers’ comp bill passes Iowa house, heads to senate
A bill that would change workers’ compensation laws in Iowa passed the Iowa house 55-88 Thursday, March 16, and is expected to be sent to the senate early next week. The legislation could lead to a decrease in workers’ compensation claims paid in this state. House File 518 passed on a near party-line vote, with […]
Posted inCommunity/News, Features
Public hearing on water utility legislation drew a crowd
An overflow crowd packed a meeting room and hallway Monday morning at the Iowa State Capitol Building for a public hearing on a contentious water utilities bill that would impact the Des Moines Water Works. Speakers at the hearing raised the specter of the Flint, Michigan water crisis and argued that the legislation was payback for the water works’ water quality lawsuit against three rural counties.
Posted inLetters
Letter: Workers’ comp legislation would shift cost of workplace injuries from businesses to taxpayers
By Saffin Parrish-Sams Business and insurance interests are trying to wipe out insurance benefits that cover every working Iowan. Workers’ compensation is a required employee benefit. It covers medical treatment, lost wages and compensation to workers injured on the job. At least that’s what it’s supposed to do. In reality, insurance companies often abuse the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Three public hearings in Des Moines Monday on controversial legislation
The Iowa Legislature will hold three public hearings in Des Moines on Monday to discuss legislation that would impact independent water utilities (namely the Des Moines Water Works), preempt county minimum wage ordinances and create new election regulations, including voter ID. Individuals can sign up to speak or leave a comment by visiting the legislature’s […]
Posted inCommunity/News
University of Iowa reverses course, decides to reinstate scholarships
The University of Iowa reinstated legacy scholarships for current students and students entering in Fall 2017, according to a Wednesday news release. The university had previously decided to cut the scholarships, affecting about 3,000 students, following a decision by the Iowa Legislature to take back $20.8 million from the Board of Regents — including $9.2 […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-Ed: Showing Up for Racial Justice opposes unnecessary, discriminatory voter ID laws
A voter ID law and other election-related bills put forward by Republican lawmakers pose a major threat to Iowans’ voting rights. Voter ID requirements, restrictions on identification documents, eliminating same-day registration and curtailing early voting opportunities would make it harder for Iowans to cast their ballots. As an organization committed to equal rights and racial […]
Posted inCommunity/News
House, Senate send collective bargaining bill to Gov. Branstad’s desk
Both the Iowa House and Senate passed an overhaul of Iowa’s collective bargaining measures on Thursday, sending the controversial bill on to Gov. Terry Branstad to be signed into law. The votes followed measures in both chambers to set a deadline on debate — the House cut off debate at noon and the Senate, after […]
Posted inCommunity/News, Features
More Iowans test positive for hepatitis C liver infection, report says
Three times as many Iowans were diagnosed with the hepatitis C liver infection in 2015 than in 2000, according to a report from the Iowa Department of Public Health. The disease is the leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants in the U.S., data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows. […]
Posted inCommunity/News
In packed statehouse, protesters oppose proposed changes to collective bargaining
With protesters filling the rotunda of the Iowa Capitol Monday night, speakers at a packed public hearing for collective bargaining legislation overwhelmingly voiced their opposition to proposals that would strip away public employees’ collective bargaining rights.
Posted inCommunity/News
UI grad students camp outside president’s office to protest collective bargaining changes
“I have snacks!” announced Ruth Bryant as she and about eight other University of Iowa graduate students made themselves comfortable on the floor outside of University President Bruce Harreld’s office Monday morning. She and the group planned to stay there all day as part of “Wake up, Walk Out!,” the latest grass-roots effort to stand […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Preserving higher minimum wage a top priority this week for many in Johnson County
Iowa Policy Project: Facts & Alternatives Old Brick Church — Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. Protecting a higher minimum wage is taking center stage in Johnson County this week, with the Board of Supervisors set to pass a resolution carrying that message, and a legislative forum Friday evening that will outline “action steps” for […]
