Coronavirus comes to Iowa
State Public Health officials updated legislators today on cases of coronavirus within Iowa. It’s normal to be concerned, especially with reports of illness and death, so we want to pass along what we’re learning.
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Issues
Enhancing communities through land banks
Bipartisan legislation (SF 2369) establishing “land banks” has passed the Senate Local Government Committee. Land banks are public-private partnerships to rehabilitate rundown, vacant and tax-delinquent properties for productive use.
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Oversight meeting needed on state use of cloud-based software
Democratic senators are calling for an urgent meeting of the Government Oversight Committee to look into the Reynolds’ Administration’s bidding process and possible conflicts of interest.
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Better tracking of rape kits
Under SF 2376, the AG will develop an automated tracking system for sexual assault evidence kits, giving victims more complete and timely information about their cases.
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Limiting disruptions in the the classroom
The Iowa Senate adopted SF 2360, which will give teachers and schools more tools for addressing disruptive student behavior. This is a step toward fixing what has become an overwhelming concern for our schools.
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Child protections cannot wait
If we want to protect Iowa kids from abuse, neglect and potential death, it’s time to provide adequate funding for Iowa DHS. As we prepare the next state budget, we’ll be fighting for the dedicated workers and the people they serve.
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Tax-hike proposal violates Iowans’ trust
In 2010, voters approved a Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund to be filled with a portion of state sales tax if the sales tax was increased. Governor Reynolds now wants to raise the sales tax, but is reneging on the agreed-to amount for natural resources and recreation.
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Iowa Sister States seeks help for China with life-saving aid
The Legislature’s International Relations Committee met to address the deadly spread of coronavirus in Iowa’s sister cities in China. The Legislature is partnering with local leaders, industry and business to ship relief supplies to China, and is asking for help.
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Healthy Moms and Babies Act will address growing maternal health concerns
We’ve proposed legislation to address Iowa’s growing maternal health crisis. Our maternal mortality rate has more than doubled in the past three years, hospital labor and delivery departments are shuttering at record speed, and 66 Iowa counties have no practicing OB/GYN.
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Iowans bring fight for their homes to Capitol
Members of the Iowa Manufactured Home Residents Network are fighting for checks and balances in a one-sided system that is attracting unscrupulous out-of-state landlords who prey on manufactured homeowners.
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