Iowa Legislature

Active bills at the Iowa Statehouse involving public libraries and public assistance programs are the focus of this Legislative Monday episode. First, Sam Helmick, shares their perspective on proposals that would impact public libraries as president of the American Library Association. Then, Rep. Heather Matson, D-Ankeny and Rep. Helena Hayes, R-New Sharon, share their differing perspectives on library bills. Then, Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, and Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, discuss proposed changes to SNAP and WIC. We also hear from Paige Chickering, vice chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition.

Gov. Kim Reynolds gave final approval Thursday for a 2% funding increase for Iowa's K-12 schools for the next school year. It sets the state cost per student at $8,148, which amounts to an additional $160 in funding per student compared to the current year.

The Iowa Senate passed several bills Wednesday aimed at strengthening immigration status checks related to voting, getting a driver’s license and hiring school and government employees.

Republicans on the House Government Oversight Committee are calling for an independent audit of the state court system’s misallocation of about $25 million. The judicial branch sent court debt collections to the wrong state fund for years.

Republican lawmakers have approved a 2% increase in K-12 funding, sending the bill to the governor for final approval.

On this Newsbuzz edition, host Ben Kieffer speaks with guess and journalists from around Iowa about the news of the week, including the first funnel deadline at the Statehouse, how Iowa libraries became political lightning rods, the risks of lead in hunting, funding of the 988 crisis line and more.

Iowa’s House and Senate leaders said Thursday they need more time to review an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that aims to increase the supply of glyphosate-based weedkillers in the U.S. It comes as the state Legislature decides whether to shield pesticide companies from certain lawsuits.

State lawmakers faced their first major deadline of the legislative session this week to narrow down the bills under consideration at the Iowa Capitol.

The Iowa Senate passed a bill that would change Iowa's foster care training requirements. Under the proposal, the state would determine a training course for each prospective foster parent, with some areas of training still required.

An Iowa House subcommittee advanced a proposal Thursday to restrict minors from accessing materials with sexual content in public libraries unless they have parental consent.