Seven weeks into legislative session, Republicans still breaking promises to create jobs, grow incomes

February 23, 2017 Senate Staff 0

“In 2009, Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds promised to create 200,000 jobs in five years,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids. “After more than 6 years, Iowa has gained less than 126,000 jobs, slower than the rate of job growth in the country as a whole. Instead of working on legislation to create jobs, Republicans are pursuing a partisan agenda that ignores the best interests of hard-working Iowans.”

State Government Committee Report – week 7, 2017

February 23, 2017 Senate Staff 0

SSB 1081 eliminates the Iowa Emergency Response Commission and transfers the powers and duties to the Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. It also makes other technical changes to transfers and renumbers the remaining Code sections.

Commerce Committee Report – week 7, 2017

February 23, 2017 Senate Staff 0

SF 1 requires that every proposed rule under a notice of intended action or publication without notice contain a jobs impact statement that outlines the purpose and statutory authority of the rule and analyzes and sets out in detail the impact on state agencies, local governments, the public and regulated entities, including businesses and self-employed individuals.

Ways & Means Committee Report – week 7, 2017

February 22, 2017 Senate Staff 0

SSB 1054 eliminates the future repeal date for the Property Assessment Appeal Board. Other provisions make changes to the process for filing an appeal with the board, notifications of appeals and decisions by the board, including aligning the district court review of board decisions with existing review procedures.

Education Committee Report – Week 7, 2017

February 22, 2017 Senate Staff 0

SSB 1057 expands the ways in which Iowa can issue high school equivalency diplomas (HSED). SSB 1083 removes the $6,000 cap on the Iowa Tuition Grant (ITG), which is awarded to qualifying students attending an Iowa private college or university.

Transportation Committee Report – week 7, 2017

February 21, 2017 Senate Staff 0

SF 174 adds Carroll County and Clay County to the list of counties authorized to issue driver’s licenses, nonoperator’s identification cards, and persons with disabilities designations. This is necessary because the Iowa Department of Transportation closed driver’s license stations in those counties on August 31, 2016. SF 227 expands the circumstances under which an individual can operate an ATV or snowmobile with a loaded firearm without a permit to carry.

Labor & Business Relations Committee Report – week 6, 2017

February 17, 2017 Senate Staff 0

HF 291 is a Republican bill to gut public sector employee collective bargaining rights. The legislation was written in secret, behind closed doors without the input of 180,000 public sector workers in Iowa. The Republicans rushed this legislation through the Iowa House and Senate and plan to have it on the Governor’s desk to sign this week. This bill does nothing to move Iowa’s economy forward. It is government overreach that attacks Iowa workers and their families.