The following is the House Republican Caucus Staff’s end of session report:
*Note: All information is current as of May 22, 2013
Agriculture, Bill Analyses, Budget, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Environmental Protection, Government Oversight, Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor, Local Government, Natural Resources, Newsletter, Public Safety, State Government, Taxes, Transportation, Veterans Affairs | ctadlock | May 23, 2013 | 
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Below is a list of bills being debated today, with Caucus Staff’s analysis attached:
With the first funnel over the House has narrowed down the bills that are still alive for consideration this session.
To see a list of the “Funnel Survivors” view the list below, organized by committee, of all bills that survived the first funnel in the House.
RTW states in red.
House Republicans are working this session to strengthen and constitutionally protect Iowa’s Right-to-Work law (House Joint Resolution 1). With the Democrats trying year after year to eliminate Iowa’s status as a Right-to-Work state, it is imperative that the Legislature put RTW in our state Constitution.
While laws can be repealed any year, it is much harder to repeal an amendment to Iowa’s Constitution. In fact, it was just in 2007 that the Democrats attempted to weaken RTW with their “Fair Share” plan. Iowans know that we must ensure that Iowa keeps its RTW status.
House Republicans are working to build a strong economy here in Iowa, and RTW helps do just that. In general, RTW states have much better job-growth numbers than non-RTW states. In some cases, businesses relocate based on a state’s RTW status.
House Republicans know that RTW is a pro-growth tool to bring businesses and jobs to Iowa. It needs constitutional protection. The following is a study showing union’s declining membership over the years, proving that individuals want liberty in the workplace.”
Labor Unions: Declining Membership Shows Labor Laws Need Modernizing
Labor, Miscellaneous | ctadlock | January 28, 2013 | Comments (0)
A new report concludes the benefit package for state government employees is better than what’s normally offered to employees in 13 other states and a small group of businesses considered to be competitors for the same workers.
Iowa Department of Administrative Services director Mike Carroll says the analysis found state worker health care benefits were “well above the norm.”
Radio Iowa
Labor | JillJ | September 25, 2012 | Comments (0)
In a policy study released by the Public Interest Institute at Iowa Wesleyan College, author Amy Frantz analyzed Iowa’s teen unemployment situation. The report notes Iowa’s unemployment rate for teens has remained consistently high over recent history. Two subgroups are analyzed within the data: teens ages 16-19 and high school graduates 18-20 years old.
Read more »
Labor | JillJ | August 15, 2012 | Comments (0)
Agriculture, Budget, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor, Natural Resources, Public Safety, State Government, Taxes, Transportation | JillJ | July 3, 2012 | Comments (0)
Below is the end of session wrap up document prepared by the House Republican Research Staff
Agriculture, Budget, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Government Oversight, Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor, Local Government, Public Safety, State Government, Taxes, Transportation, Veterans Affairs | JillJ | May 14, 2012 | Comments (0)
The 2012 legislative session has made its way through the first funnel. Click below to see a list of bills that made it through.
Agriculture, Budget, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Environmental Protection, Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor, Local Government, Natural Resources, Public Safety, State Government, Taxes, Transportation, Veterans Affairs | JillJ | February 24, 2012 | Comments (0)
The Iowa Executive Council met on October 3 with a number of items on the agenda. One such piece was a vote to renew the state’s group insurance contract with Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The renewal was accompanied by premium increases for two of the four covered areas. Health premiums are going to increase by 0.8% and dental rates will increase at a rate of 4.4%. The rates for term life insurance and long term disability will remain constant.
“…87% of state employees pay nothing toward their health insurance premiums”
These rate increases translate into an additional $12 million in spending the state has to pay in order to cover its employees. For purposes of health insurance, the state pays 100% of single and double spouse contracts and 85% of an employee’s family premium. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, 87% of state employees pay nothing toward their health insurance premiums.
Labor | admin | October 11, 2011 | Comments (2)
