State

House bill will alter gas tax … but not like you think

House bill will alter gas tax … but not like you think

Conservatives have been bracing for a gas-tax bill in the General Assembly since the start of the new session. So, when state Rep. Larry Sheets (R-Moulton) offered up House File 83 today, there likely was a few folks who cringed. But, while the bill alters how the state’s fuel taxes […]

by · January 22, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
UPDATED: Former Iowa GOP chairman reacts to spokesman hiring

UPDATED: Former Iowa GOP chairman reacts to spokesman hiring

By Jacob Hall Correspondent The Republican Party of Iowa announced today the hiring of six new staff members in a press release. But, the past of one of the new employees, Communications Director Charlie Szold, have surprised a number of Iowa conservatives. The Iowa GOP’s press release highlighted Szold’s […]

by · January 22, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Updated: Senate Democrats join call for constitutional convention

Updated: Senate Democrats join call for constitutional convention

Typically, convention of the states legislation has been the domain of conservatives who say they want to undo the damage done to the country over the past 100 years, but a group of Democrats are now calling for one, too. The 18 members of the Iowa House of Representatives presented […]

by · January 22, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
The regal fritillary is one of the largest butterfly species to inhabit Iowa. They do not migrate, and can be found in their various life stages from spring through fall. They hibernate in the winter and spend the warmer months feeding on nectar from native prairie flowers. Because of its close association with native prairies, and efforts in Iowa to restore native prairies, two legislators have offered a bill to make the regal fritillary the State Butterfly of Iowa.

Bipartisan effort to name State Butterfly

When visitors come to the Iowa State Historical Museum, they can learn a lot about Iowa’s native habitat. They can learn about the state bird, the eastern goldfinch; the state tree, the oak tree; the state flower, the wild rose; and the state rock, the geode. And, if two members […]

by · January 22, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Cownie offers constitutional amendment for term limits

Cownie offers constitutional amendment for term limits

State Rep. Peter Cownie (R-West Des Moines) has reintroduced a constitutional amendment bill seeking to create term limits for members of the General Assembly. House Joint Resolution 1 would limit both members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to 12 years in office. Representatives could serve no […]

by · January 22, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Filling out this form once could lead to a perpetual flow of absentee ballots, if a bill offered last week in the Iowa House is approved.

Bill would allow ‘perpetual absentee voting’

State Rep. Bruce Hunter offered a bill last week that could result in “perpetual absentee voting” in Iowa. Earlier, The Iowa Statesman reported on efforts in the Iowa General Assembly to tinker with the state’s election laws. Those efforts continue with Hunter’s newest piece of proposed legislation. House File 48, […]

by · January 21, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Physician-assisted suicide bill offered in Iowa House

Physician-assisted suicide bill offered in Iowa House

Nine Democrat legislators have offered a bill that would establish Iowa as the fourth state in the country to have enacted physician-assisted suicide legislation. State Reps. Brian Meyer (D-Des Moines), Dennis Cohoon (D-Burlington), Cindy Winckler (D-Davenport), Sally Stutsman (D-Riverside), Mary Mascher (D-Iowa City), Timi Brown-Powers (D-Waterloo), Mary Lynn Wolfe (D-Clinton), […]

by · January 21, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
State Sen. Brad Zaun says the biggest sign of Iowa Core/Common Core's failure is the fact that so many parents can no longer help their children with homework. He said employers, especially manufacturers, are increasingly skeptical of the curriculum.

Zaun offers bill to eliminate Iowa Core

A popular central Iowa legislator has offered a bill that will no doubt make him even popular with many in his own party. State Sen. Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) offered Senate File 16 last week to remove all education references to the Iowa Core standards, or any core content standards. […]

by · January 21, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Bipartisan bill pushes for Cedar Rapids casino followed by 10-year moratorium

Bipartisan bill pushes for Cedar Rapids casino followed by 10-year moratorium

A pair of eastern Iowa legislators, one Republican, one Democrat, have proposed a bill in the Iowa Senate to force a 10-year moratorium on new gambling licenses issued by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission – after it approves a new casino for Iowa’s second-largest city. Senate File 24, if […]

by · January 21, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Iowa Christians blast planned WBC protests

Iowa Christians blast planned WBC protests

From a press release   The leaders of Iowa-based Patriots for Christ, along with other Christian conservative organizations and individuals, spe out strongly today against reported plans by the members of the Westboro Baptist Church to protest in the state over the weekend and on Monday. Fred Phelps founded the […]

by · January 21, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Local, Politics, State
Bill Watch: Nearly 200 new pieces of legislation introduced

Bill Watch: Nearly 200 new pieces of legislation introduced

Bob Eschliman Editor   With many of the ceremonial tasks of the new General Assembly out of the way, legislators went to work introducing new legislation for consideration during the next two years. In all, 192 new bills – 127 in the House of Representatives and 65 in the Senate […]

by · January 21, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Legislators propose changes to election regulations

Legislators propose changes to election regulations

The General Assembly wants to tinker with how elections operate in Iowa. Since the opening of the 2015 session, there have been five bills relating to the electoral process offered in the House and Senate. They range from a bill to allow small cities to hold their municipal elections by […]

by · January 20, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Des Moines Democrat proposes income tax check-off with only one beneficiary in mind

Des Moines Democrat proposes income tax check-off with only one beneficiary in mind

The most prolific bill sponsor so far in the Iowa House of Representatives certainly likes to take care of his district. Last week, state Rep. Bruce Hunter (D-Des Moines) authored a bill, House File 37, to create a new income tax check-off for the Iowa Income Tax. The bill establishes […]

by · January 20, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Democrat rolls out organized labor bills

Democrat rolls out organized labor bills

State Rep. Bruce Hunter (D-Des Moines) has introduced a pair of bills that has organized labor in Iowa quite happy this past week. The first would require a state agency to “consider using a project labor agreement” in large-scale construction projects. The second would authorize the collection of “fair share […]

by · January 19, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Bill would make unemployment status a ‘protected status’ for hiring purposes

Bill would make unemployment status a ‘protected status’ for hiring purposes

If a bill proposed by state Rep. Bruce Hunter becomes law, prospective employers cannot discriminate against the unemployed. Although House File 20, if passed, would not preclude employers from considering individuals’ employment history, or from examining the underlying reasons for his or her status as unemployed, it would prohibit employment […]

by · January 19, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
State regulators propose ban on sale of alcoholic powders, crystals

State regulators propose ban on sale of alcoholic powders, crystals

Last year, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved the production and sale of Palcohol, a powdered alcohol substance, which turns into an alcoholic beverage when combined with water. Lipsmark LLC, the makers of the powder originally touted it as a way to sneak in alcoholic beverages […]

by · January 19, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Polk County Democrat: Buckle up on the bus

Polk County Democrat: Buckle up on the bus

A Polk County Democrat has offered a bill he believes will improve the safety of students traveling in school buses. Last week state Rep. Bruce Hunter (D-Des Moines) has offered House File 35, a bill to require all new school buses ordered for purchase after July 1 to have seat […]

by · January 19, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Homeland security officials want your digits (and more)

Homeland security officials want your digits (and more)

The Iowa Homeland Security & Emergency Management Division wants to know your phone number. It’s for your own safety, of course. The agency has proposed Senate Study Bill 1025, which would grant it the authority to demand the name, address, and telephone number for every subscriber to every E911 service […]

by · January 19, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Bill would expand Iowa’s ‘Move Over’ law to include snowplows

Bill would expand Iowa’s ‘Move Over’ law to include snowplows

During a recent period of heavy snowfall and windy conditions that followed, eight Iowa Department of Transportation snowplows were involved in motor vehicle accidents on Iowa’s highways. A bill now offered in the Iowa Senate would make that less likely to happen in the future, if enacted. Senate Study Bill […]

by · January 19, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Bipartisan legislation would end school start date limitation

Bipartisan legislation would end school start date limitation

Shortly before the start of the new legislative session, Gov. Terry Branstad announced the Iowa Department of Education would no longer automatically waive the statutory school year start date. Iowa Code Section 279.10 requires the school year to begin July 1, and for classes to not commence until the first […]

by · January 19, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Cownie offers bill to require zero-base budgeting by state agencies

Cownie offers bill to require zero-base budgeting by state agencies

State Rep. Peter Cownie (R-West Des Moines) last week introduced a bill, House File 1, to require state agencies to use zero-base budgeting principles when preparing their biennial budget requests to the General Assembly. Zero-based budgeting is a method of budgeting whereby all expenses each period must be justified. In […]

by · January 19, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Branstad, Reynolds sworn in to new terms of office

Branstad, Reynolds sworn in to new terms of office

A forgotten Bible, a medical emergency in the audience, and a case of the sniffles couldn’t keep Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad from making history today at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. With a joint session of the General Assembly, the department heads of the […]

by · January 16, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Openly gay legislator offers bill to make sexual orientation counseling of minors illegal

Openly gay legislator offers bill to make sexual orientation counseling of minors illegal

The state’s first openly gay legislator has offered a bill that, if passed, will make it illegal for licensed mental health providers to offer sexual orientation change counseling to minors. State Sen. Matt McCoy (D-Des Moines) authored Senate File 31 earlier this week. The bill not only prohibits a mental […]

by · January 15, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
State Sen. Rick Bertrand said today he will push for a life-at-conception bill during the 86th General Assembly. With the help of Iowa Pro-Life Action, he plans to get members of both chambers on the record on the abortion issue.

Sioux City Republican proposes life-at-conception legislation

With the 42nd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision coming next week, a number of pro-life groups will be focusing attention on efforts to end the practice of abortion, both nationally and in Iowa. One such effort was announced today by state Sen. Rick Bertrand (R-Sioux […]

by · January 15, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Northwest Iowa Republican offers abortion bills in Senate

Northwest Iowa Republican offers abortion bills in Senate

State Sen. David Johnson (R-Ocheyedan) this week offered up two bills relating to abortion. One places restrictions on “medical abortions” – those induced by use of abortifacient drugs – and the other requires a 72-hour informed consent period prior to having an abortion. Senate File 11 defines “medical abortion” as […]

by · January 14, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Bill Watch: Early bills in 86th General Assembly

Bill Watch: Early bills in 86th General Assembly

Bob Eschliman Editor   The first few days of any legislative session is a flurry of activity, both ceremonial and business. And, in the first year of a biennial General Assembly is always busiest. But, during the first few days of any session, the bills filed are almost entirely ceremonial, […]

by · January 14, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Chief Justice Cady delivers Condition of the Judiciary Address

Chief Justice Cady delivers Condition of the Judiciary Address

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady ivered the 2015 Condition of the Judiciary Address before a joint session of the Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate today. In his speech, Cady told the legislators and Gov. Branstad, who also was in attendance, “The three separate branches of government […]

by · January 14, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
What do Democrats want to accomplish in 2015?

What do Democrats want to accomplish in 2015?

If you’ve been listening to Iowa Democrats during the first few hours of the 2015 legislative session, it’s pretty clear they were paying attention on Election Day last November. Their agenda, titled “Building a Strong Middle Class,” focuses on using government as a means of strengthening Iowa’s middle class and […]

by · January 13, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Iowa Senate Minority Leader Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock)

Dix commends Branstad’s ‘vision to enhance opportunities for all Iowans’

Senate Minority Leader Bill Dix liked the vision Gov. Branstad laid out in his Condition of the State Address today. The Shell Rock Republican said the governor has proposed a vision for Iowa that will help strengthen the state’s economy, make necessary advancements across rural Iowa and continue to enhance […]

by · January 13, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Branstad: ‘Our strength comes from working together, joint commitment to prudent choices for better Iowa’

Branstad: ‘Our strength comes from working together, joint commitment to prudent choices for better Iowa’

If you like your state government, not only do you get to keep it, Gov. Terry Branstad would like to give you of it. Today, the governor gave his annual Condition of the State speech to a joint session of the General Assembly. In the speech, he laid out […]

by · January 13, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
86th General Assembly Day 1: Iowa House of Representatives

86th General Assembly Day 1: Iowa House of Representatives

During the opening ceremony of the 86th Iowa General Assembly today, Republicans and Democrats unveiled their plans for the next several weeks. Republicans said they sought to “do less” and to “do it well,” while Democrats repeated many of the same themes Senate Democrats expressed in their opening remarks on […]

by · January 12, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
The Iowa Senate opened the 86th General Assembly on Monday morning.

86th General Assembly Day 1: Iowa Senate

During the opening ceremony of the 86th Iowa General Assembly today, Republicans and Democrats unveiled their plans for the next several weeks. Both sides emphasized working together, with Democrats pledging to lo out for the best interests of middle-class Iowans and Republicans promising continued fiscal responsibility. The Senate elected Sen. […]

by · January 12, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz spoke at least year's Value Voters Summit. The Texas Republican has made many inroads with the liberty wing of the Iowa GOP of late. (Prezography photo/used with permission)

Cruz courting Liberty movement in Iowa

By Joel Kurtinitis Correspondent     Far from the death reported after the Gov. Terry Branstad-led purge of the liberty wing from leadership positions within the Republican Party of Iowa, the Liberty movement in Iowa is alive and well. And, it remains a hard sell, especially as Iowans prepare for […]

by · January 11, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · National, Politics, State
Branstad rejected: Iowa Straw Poll tradition to continue in 2015

Branstad rejected: Iowa Straw Poll tradition to continue in 2015

Rejecting the opinion of Gov. Terry Branstad, the Iowa Republican Party Central Committee voted unanimously today to hold its traditional Iowa Straw Poll fundraiser again in 2015. In a report by The Coralville Courier, State Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said the Central Committee recognized not only the importance of the Straw […]

by · January 10, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · National, Politics, State
Kooiker withstands write-in effort to win HD 4 seat

Kooiker withstands write-in effort to win HD 4 seat

Clarice Alons is getting her wish. The seat formerly held by her late husband, Dwayne, in Iowa House District 4 will be filled by his good friend, John Kooiker of Hull. The Republican nominee faced both Democratic challenger John Buntsma of Orange City and a well-organized write-in effort launched by […]

by · January 6, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Iowa House District comprises much of Sioux County in northwestern Iowa.

Write-in Campaign Ramps up Effort on Eve of HD 4 Special Election

A group of Sioux County Republicans unhappy with the nomination of John Kooiker as the GOP candidate in tomorrow’s Iowa House District 4 special election stepped efforts to win a write-in campaign for the seat formerly held by conservative stalwart Dwayne Alons. The group, which alternately calls itself Concerned Republicans […]

by · January 5, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · State
Former Iowa Lt. Gov. Arthur Neu passed away Friday, Jan. 2, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. The Carroll Republican also served on the Iowa Board of Regents and was a member of the Board of Corrections at the time of his passing.

Former Lt. Gov. Neu passes away at 81

Arthur A. Neu, former Lt. Governor of Iowa, passed away Friday, Jan. 2, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines at the age of 81. Neu, a Republican, had been a state senator in a district representing Carroll, Crawford, and Monona counties since 1967 when he was elected to the […]

by · January 3, 2015 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
State Rep. Mark Costello (R-Imogene) won the Senate District 12 special election Tuesday, Dec. 30. He will be sworn in next month at the beginning of the new legislative session. Prior to that, he must resign his House seat, which will mean another special election will be coming.

State Rep. Mark Costello wins SD 12 special election

State Rep. Mark Costello (R-Imogene) easily cruised to a special election victory Tuesday, Dec. 30, in Senate District 12 in southwest Iowa. “Thanks to everyone in Senate District 12 who helped to secure this nice win,” he told supporters shortly after the results were announced. “I’m loing forward to moving […]

by · December 31, 2014 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Click this image to see it in full size in a different tab.

Republicans launch write-in effort in HD4 race

By Jacob Hall Correspondent   UPDATE (11:45, 12/20) — Eric Rankin of Hull, one of the precinct leaders who to part in last week’s nomination convention, commented on the situation. He said: “I agree that the process does not seem very democratic, nor does it allow for an in-depth vetting […]

by · December 20, 2014 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Kooiker gets GOP nod for HD 4

Kooiker gets GOP nod for HD 4

By Jacob Hall Correspondent   John Kooiker was selected Tuesday night as the Republican candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives District 4 seat. Kooiker, a 68-year old retiree from Boyden, toted his relationship with former Rep. Dwayne Alons in a letter he sent to District 4’s precinct leaders. “Dwayne […]

by · December 19, 2014 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Iowa House District comprises much of Sioux County in northwestern Iowa.

Q&A: Republican HD4 candidate John Kooiker

By Jacob Hall Correspondent     Shortly after his nomination as the Republican candidate to replace Rep. Dwayne Alons, who passed away earlier this month, Iowa House District 4 candidate John Kooiker sat down for an exclusive one-on-one with The Iowa Statesman. Here is the complete exchange.   Describe your […]

by · December 19, 2014 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Orange City Democrat to challenge in HD 4

Orange City Democrat to challenge in HD 4

By Jacob Hall Correspondent   Orange City resident John Buntsma was nominated Thursday night by the Sioux County Democratic Parry as its nominee for Iowa House of Representatives District 4. Buntsma works at Staples in Orange City and had pondered jumping into the race for Iowa House a while ago. […]

by · December 19, 2014 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
John Buntsma of Orange City is the Democratic nominee for the Iowa House District 4 special election to be held Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Q&A: Democratic HD 4 candidate John Buntsma

Immediately following his nomination as the Democratic candidate to replace Rep. Dwayne Alons, who passed away earlier this month, Iowa House District 4 candidate John Buntsma sat down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with The Iowa Statesman. Here is the complete exchange.   Describe for me your worldview and what […]

by · December 19, 2014 · Comments are Disabled · Politics, State
Branstad said ‘maybe’ before he said ‘no’

Branstad said ‘maybe’ before he said ‘no’

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad became a hero to border-security proponents Monday when he said he opposed bringing illegals into Iowa. “The first thing we need to do is secure the border. I do have empathy for these kids … But I also don’t want to send the signal that (you) […]

by · July 17, 2014 · 0 comments · Politics, State
I believe …

I believe …

By Bob Eschliman Editor   The news this past week, nationally, was about the manner in which the Republican Establishment has gone out of its way to steamroll its grassroots rank-and-file in Mississippi. As many know, it’s not just a problem in the Magnolia State; it’s happening everywhere. In my […]

by · June 30, 2014 · 0 comments · Federal, Politics, State
Complete destruction the only option with Common Core

Complete destruction the only option with Common Core

Those who have read the Common Core State Standards understand one thing: it’s a complete failure and quite possibly the worst government usurpation of local control since … well, since the last government usurpation of local control. A handful of states have opted out. A few others have “rebranded” it […]

by · June 23, 2014 · 0 comments · National, Politics, State

Legislator makes bold move to protect life

This weekend, Iowa Rep. Tom Shaw announced he intends to ask for a suspension of the rules to allow House File 138 to come out of committee to the floor for a vote. The bill would drastically alter the landscape in Iowa with regard to abortion by first legislatively defining […]

My graven image is better than yours

And just like that, the Republican Establishment/Mainstream Media frontrunner for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination is relegated to also-ran status.  If not, he soon will be. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, now fully embroiled in a potentially career-ending crisis involving abuse of power and political cronyism, will no doubt try […]

The case against either-or politics

I was walking through the grocery store the other day — through the soda aisle on my way to the dairy coolers, to be precise — when it struck me. I have options to choose from when I’m thirsty than I do for President of the United States. Or […]

Who needs Planned Parenthood?

“When I’m elected President, I will work to defund Planned Parenthood.” Fill in the blank with whichever Republican presidential candidate you want, and than likely, you have an on-the-record quote. But, according to a report Monday by The Washington Post, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration is seriously considering […]