March 27, 2012
Democrats and Republicans seem to agree that Iowa’s commercial property tax is archaic and out of line with other states, but hope is fading that the Legislature will approve a fix this year because of stark differences about how best …
July 27, 2011
The state has agreed to pay $180,000 to settle the claim of a state worker who was fired after her supervisor expressed skepticism that working mothers can handle high-pressure jobs. That supervisor, Roya Stanley, resigned from her job at the …
July 8, 2011
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has urged governors in three states to consider pulling out of a Missouri River association because of the Army Corps of Engineers’ long-term management of the river and what he believes is a tendency to favor …
March 25, 2010
The Iowa Legislature has approved a compromise package that puts new limits on sending or reading text messages while driving, including tough restrictions on young drivers. Lawmakers have argued about the issue for most of the session. A House-Senate conference …
March 10, 2010
Iowa’s largest health insurance provider will delay a planned premium increase after Gov. Chet Culver raised questions about the higher rates to the state insurance commissioner. Culver sent a letter to Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss, expressing concern about Wellmark Blue …
May 11, 2009
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signed into law a measure expanding benefits for police and firefighters who get cancer and some other infectious diseases. Under the measure, the diseases are presumed to be job-related, an assumption that boosts pensions and other …
April 16, 2009
Responding to as situation in Atalissa, Iowa, where 21 mentally disabled Texas men lived in a dilapidated house while they worked at a nearby turkey processing plant operated by Texas-based Henry’s Turkey Service, an Iowa House committee has approved a …
March 13, 2009
Iowa Democrats have unveiled a $100 million flood relief package and are negotiating how to pay for it. The biggest part of the plan would be $20 million for flood prevention efforts. The plan sets aside $12.5 million to buy …
February 16, 2009
Some Iowa legislators have a message for cell phone users: stop talking or texting while driving. A measure being considered in the Legislature would fine drivers $30 if they used their phones while behind the wheel. “It doesn’t make sense …
February 4, 2009
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has signed into law a $56 million package designed to help Iowa recover from last summer’s record flooding, but he cautioned that the measure was only one step in a long recovery process. “The good news …