Iowa Political News
Sequestration budget cuts could cost Iowa 3,570 jobs, says ISU economist
Iowa stands to lose $292 million in federal money if Congress and President Barack Obama can't reach a deficit-reduction deal by Friday's sequestration deadline, which could hurt the state's economic recovery, says Iowa State University economist David Swenson.
Des Moines business executive Suku Radia urges Iowa lawmakers to support adult basic education
ADULT EDUCATION: Several speakers, including a Des Moines business executive, urged the Iowa Senate Education Committee Monday to support efforts to provide state money for adult basic education in Iowa.
Iowa Senate Democrats advance $250 million property tax plan, warn Branstad not to cram his plan 'down our throats'
IOWA PROPERTY TAX REFORM: Under the Democrats' plan, $50 million a year would go into a new Business Property Tax Relief Fund beginning July 1, 2014 to provide property tax credits for businesses. A permanent, ongoing appropriation would increase by $50 million each year that the state's revenue rises by at least 4 percent, reaching a maximum of $250 million per year in reduced property taxes.
High school students advocate for 'social host' penalties on adults who allow teens access to alcohol
SOCIAL HOSTS & UNDERAGE DRINKING: High school students from across Iowa renewed a lobbying push for new penalties on the hosts of parties in which underage youth are allowed to drink.
Iowa Legislature, Morning Briefing, Monday, Feb. 25
Gov. Terry Branstad remains in Washington, D.C., for National Governors Association meetings, and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is leading a trade mission to Vietnam and the Philippines. Iowa Senate Democrats won't be waiting for them to return, however.
Democrat Ed Fallon to announce another bid for public office
Democrat Ed Fallon says he's running for public office - and he'll reveal which one on Friday.
Branstad: Latham would be ‘strongest candidate' for U.S. Senate
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad thinks Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Latham would be the "most experienced and strongest candidate at this time" for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat in 2014.
Senate decision isn't easy for King
Conventional wisdom is that GOP firebrand Steve King could beat any other Republican in a primary for Iowa's open U.S. Senate seat, but his hard-right views would turn off everyday voters.
Branstad tells feds Iowa won't expand Medicaid
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has told a top federal health official he will not support an expansion of Medicaid, reiterating his opposition to a cornerstone of President Barack Obama's health care reform effort.
Huckabee: If GOP veers on abortion, 'we will run from this party'
MIKE HUCKABEE IN IOWA: Anti-abortion activist Mike Huckabee told Iowans on Saturday exactly why he's not a Democrat, but added that he's willing to bail on the Republican party if need be.
Des Moines will take steps to notify residents of issues
Des Moines city leaders have presented a series of recommendations to notify neighborhood associations of news and developments that could affect them.
Grimes plans to revitalize Governor's District
Owners of commercial and residential properties will not be asked to pay a special assessment for the redevelopment of Southeast Main Street in Grimes, city officials said last week.
Branstad in D.C. affirms he won't expand Medicaid
Gov. Terry Branstad said Saturday that he has told U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that he will not expand Medicaid in Iowa. Branstad said he pressed Sebelius for a federal waiver to continue IowaCare, a health care program that provides limited benefits to 70,000 low income adults in the state.
Iowa grants $22.5 million in tax credits to Principal
Principal Financial Group snagged $22.5 million in state tax credits Thursday for its massive downtown Des Moines campus renovation, one of three expansions Friday that whittled down the state's available business credits to $1.5 million.
State halts radio-buying effort
Iowa's Department of Administrative Services has abandoned its latest effort to purchase law enforcement radio equipment and network infrastructure amid criticism from suppliers and lawmakers that its procurement process isn't giving vendors a fair shake.Register Investigation: State agency accused of slanting requests for radio bids
Iowa court: Estranged husband can disregard dead wife's burial plan
A deceased former Iowan whose body has been stored at an Anamosa funeral home since June must now be buried in this state against her will, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled, because a 2008 law intended to resolve post-death disputes created no requirement
Medicaid tops Branstad's D.C. trip agenda today
Gov. Terry Branstad meets in Washington, D.C., today with the nation's top health care official as he faces mounting pressure at home and within the Republican ranks to expand Iowa's Medicaid health care program for low-income people.Branstad slams Register editorials about Medicaid expansion
Branstad slams Register editorials about Medicaid expansion
Gov. Terry Branstad is using The Des Moines Register's editorial board's call for Medicaid expansion in Iowa as a reason to raise campaign money.
$30 million safety training bill advances in Iowa Senate
Plans for a new $30 million statewide public safety training facility would be developed under a bill advanced Thursday by an Iowa Senate subcommittee.
Health care 9-county region moves forward
Johnson County officials are getting closer to finalizing an agreement to form a state-mandated mental health and disabilities services region with eight other Iowa counties.

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