Transportation Committee Report – week 8, 2017
SF 211 – Transporting an implement of husbandry SSB 1079 – Use of electronic devices while driving COMMITTEE ACTION SF 211 indicates that a permit is not required by a farmer operating a motor […]
Veterans Affairs Committee Report – week 8, 2017
SF 373 (SSB 1077) is a recommendation by the Iowa Department of Public Defense. It provides that members of the National Guard of another state or a military reserve unit in another state who are employed in Iowa have the same protections regarding nondiscrimination and reemployment as Iowa National Guard members.
Local Government Committee Report – week 8, 2017
Committee votes on SSB 1100 – Recorders notices; SSB 1152 – Electronic pay via county treasurer; and SSB 1153 – Deputy county auditor salary.
Labor & Business Relations Committee Report – week 8, 2017
SSB 1145 prohibits government entities (e.g., state, cities, counties, schools, community colleges) from requiring a potential bidder on a public improvement project to provide any information that the bidder deems confidential or proprietary as a requirement for being deemed a responsive, responsible bidder.
UI right to reverse scholarship cuts
The University of Iowa’s response to these Republican takebacks was to renege on scholarships already awarded to Iowa students. I reached out to UI officials and asked them to reconsider. I’m glad they have reversed that decision.
Agriculture Committee Report – week 8, 2017
SF 362 exempts damages and liability from district and county fairs sought by a person who alleges an injury or death caused by a pathogen transmitted from an animal. An amendment in committee adds the Iowa State Fair; applies to spectators and participants; and if signs are posted, there is no liability.
The Dirty Dozen – Speak up this week to stop more harm to Iowans
Friday marks the “first funnel” under legislative rules, which is a first procedural hurdle that will stop some legislative proposals for the year. If we can stop bad bills this week, it will reduce the damage that could be done later.
McCoy: Oversight needed to address failures at Iowa DHS & shortcomings in Iowa law
Iowa children are falling through the cracks and government policies may be part of the problem, according to members of the House and Senate Government Oversight Committee. Natalie Finn is a 16-year old Des Moines girl who died after she was tortured and starved by her parents. Malayia Knapp, another Des Moines resident, was beaten, starved, and imprisoned by her adoptive parents.
Negative Consequences for Iowans from the New Public Sector Employment Law
A new law, exclusively drafted and implemented by Republican legislators and the Branstad-Reynolds administration, strips away a wide range of rights from public workers in Iowa. Some comments in debate and since enactment have led to misunderstandings, but it is important that the true impact of the law is understood.
Seven weeks into legislative session, Republicans still breaking promises to create jobs, grow incomes
“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.”