State Government News

Iowa’s revenue forecasters said Friday the state is in a strong financial position, and the interim state budget director believes the state is bringing in enough money to allow for more tax cuts.

The Iowa Department of Education previously said its “Social Justice and Equity in Education Conference” would be postponed until this fall. Early last spring, a department spokesperson said the conference—originally scheduled for April 14—was being postponed because of pending GOP-backed legislation that would put limits on teaching certain concepts related to racism and sexism.

Republicans in the Iowa Senate voted Tuesday to reject the first set of proposed legislative and congressional districts.

This week, legislators drive to Des Moines to determine how Iowans will be represented in the Iowa Legislature and Congress. And while this nonpartisan redistricting process is considered a stand-out among peer states that allow for political interests to draw lines, Iowa hasn’t always been this way.

State lawmakers will be back at the Iowa Capitol Tuesday for a rare special session. They will vote to accept or reject new political boundaries that could significantly change Iowans’ representation in the state legislature and in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Here’s a look at why Iowa has so much additional money this year, and what will happen with the funds next. This article was republished from the Iowa Capital Dispatch.

The first set of maps from the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency came out last week, and Iowans had the chance to weigh in this week during three virtual public hearings and through written comment. IPR Morning Edition host Clay Masters talks with IPR state government reporter Katarina Sostaric about what people had to say and what comes next.

The public comment period for new proposed boundaries for Iowa’s legislative and congressional districts ended Wednesday evening, with the vast majority of comments expressing support for the first set of maps drawn by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.

The Iowa Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that State Medical Director Caitlin Pedati will leave the state in October.

Iowa’s nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency released its first proposal Thursday for new congressional and legislative district boundaries. The redistricting process will continue with public hearings planned for next week.