The legislature made several changes to stop domestic abuse this session, including mandatory minimums for repeat offenses of domestic abuse and better tracking and monitoring of abusers. The approved bill creates new mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenses of domestic abuse. A mandatory minimum sentence of 1/5 of the criminal penalty is required for a…
Live Activity Across TCR Sites
TCR’s Iowa Government News
- Gov. Branstad holds bill signing re-enactment
- Lt. Governor Reynolds announces “Riding Through History” exhibit opening Friday
- Gov. Branstad visits GKN Wheels
- Gov. Branstad visits Simonsen Iron Works, Inc.
- Gov. Branstad visits Simonsen Iron Works, Inc.
- Gov. Branstad speaks at Good Earth State Park Dedication
- Gov. Branstad speaks at Good Earth State Park Dedication
- Governor Branstad activates Iowa Individual Assistance Program for Van Buren County
- Governor Branstad activates Iowa Individual Assistance Program for Van Buren County
- Gov. Branstad tours farm and speaks at Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association’s 50th Anniversary
Posts Tagged ‘ From Iowa House Democrats Web Site ’
Dems: Criminal Justice Reforms Sent to Governor
Significant criminal justice reform measures were passed by the legislature this year. Senate File 445 will bring the penalties for crack cocaine offenses more in line with powder cocaine penalties. The bill will also give the courts more discretion in sentencing for some crimes. The bill lowers the crack-powder discrepancy that exists in current law…
Dems: Iowa’s Workers’ Compensation Laws Changed
Iowa workers injured on the job would receive less medical care and benefits under a plan approved by Republican lawmakers this year. For around 100 years the Iowa’s workers’ compensation law has acted to balance the rights of employers with those of employees. As part of the balance, if an employee is injured, they cannot…
Dems: GOP Lawmakers Limit Health Decisions for Women
Iowa women will face new restrictions on difficult medical decisions next year while also having less access to family planning and cancer screening services. In the closing days of the legislative session, Republicans passed legislation that will leave thousands of Iowa women without access to critical health care services, like cancer screenings, birth control, and…
Dems: Waukon Nurse Lori Egan To Run for Iowa House
Lori Egan, a nurse from Waukon, announced her candidacy to represent Iowa’s 56th House District, which includes all of Allamakee County and parts of Clayton County. “I’m running for the Iowa House because Clayton and Allamakee counties are being forgotten by the politicians in Des Moines,” Egan said. “As a 30 year resident of Waukon…
Dems: Veterans Programs Take Hit in GOP Budget
This year, the GOP-led Legislature reduced support for key programs used by Iowa veterans. One such area that saw a significant shortage is the Veterans Home Ownership program. The program received $2 million for FY 18, a reduction of $500,000. This program provides $5,000 to veterans to be used for house down payments and closing…
Dems: K-12 School Investment 3rd Lowest in Iowa History
Iowa schools will get the 3rd lowest increase in basic state funding in Iowa’s history next year. That’s according to the plan approved by Republican lawmakers this session. The shortfall in school funding again next year means seven of the last eight years have been the lowest funding levels in the history of Iowa. Signed…
Dems: Inside the Iowa House: Iowa’s New Governor
At the ripe old age of 26, I returned to Osceola, Iowa to be the Director of the Clarke County Office of the Iowa Department of Human Services. My office was down the hall from the offices of the treasurer, auditor, and recorder. After I left that position, Governor Kim Reynolds became Clarke…
Dems: New Changes to Iowa’s Natural Resources
This year, the Legislature worked on many bills relating to Iowa’s natural resources. One piece of legislation gives the State Forest Nursery more flexibility in pricing the seeds and plants they sell. The nursery provides good-quality native plant materials to the public at fair prices and will now be able to sell seeds in smaller…
Dems: New Student Assessment Approval Process
The Department of Education is required to issue a new bid process for the assessment that Iowa will use in public schools, and the State Board of Education will evaluate and make a decision on which test to implement. The new law approved this year requires a new assessment to be approved by the State…