Highlights in this edition: 

• State and Federal Tax Law Changes Will Impact State Revenue According to REC 
  • After a rough first quarter in 2025, both the national and Iowa economics experienced sizable GDP growth in the second quarter 
• Classroom Behavior-What is the Education Establishment Doing About It?
  • The dominant themes at the American Educational Research Association's annual meetings between 2021 and 2025 were equity, social justice, and identity instead of classroom behavior and discipline
• Understanding Criminal Sentences in Iowa
  • While Iowa's laws are tough on some violent crimes, the opposite is often true for chronic low-level offenders
• Public Retirement Systems Committee Will Meet December 9
  • The system continues to move in a positive direction and the current funded ratio is the highest funded ration since the "Great Recession"

Highlights in this edition: 

• Final Revenue Numbers for Fiscal Year 2025 Released
  • Even with the January 2025 implementation of reducing personal income tax rates to 3.8 percent, net personal income tax revenue to the state actually grew in Fiscal Year 2025
• Open Enrollment For Health Insurance, Iowa Counselors Here to Help
  • For Iowans purchasing their health insurance through the exchange, individual health coverage begins on November 1
• How Do We Protect Out Students and Teachers in Our Schools?
  
  • House Republicans will continue to work with teachers to make classrooms safe again
• Mental Health Annual Spending Reaches $1.28 Billion in Iowa
  • This includes a $9.65 million increase of funding and employees to specialize the Independence Mental Health Institute to behaviorally complex youth and the Cherokee MHI to acute and forensic adults
• Background on the Deployment of the National Guard by the President 
  • In September 1962 President Kennedy invoked the Insurrection Act of 1807, federalized the Mississippi National Guard, and deployed federal troops including units from 101st Airborne Division (over 31,000 troops were deployed to the campus of the University of Mississippi) to restore order and allow Ole Miss's first black student James Meredith to attend class

Highlights in this edition:

• Gambling Tax Collections Rise in August
  • Louisiana raised its tax rate to 21 percent and dedicated the increase in collections to funding to the state’s public university athletic departments to fund revenue sharing with student-athletes – Iowa’s rate is tied for the lowest at 6.75 percent
• Licensure, Background Checks…What’s Required in Iowa Schools?
  • The BOEE must adopt rules to require that a background investigation be conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation of the Department of Public Safety on all initial applicants for licensure and require all initial applicants to submit a completed fingerprint packet and use the national criminal history background check
• Providing Public Safety and Humane Treatment
  • The Iowa House passed legislation this session to go after humane treatment of the mentally ill while also protecting the public from the unsafe actions of those in need of treatment, unfortunately the Senate did not advance any House bills
• State Historical Society Sets Timeline for Iowa City Transition
  • Mass disposal of collections will not occur

Highlights in this edition: 

• Rutgers University Study: Assassination Culture Emerging in U.S. on the Political Left
  • The reports found widespread justification for lethal violence - including assassination - among younger, highly online, and ideologically left-aligned users
• Wild Extremism Not New for Democrats: in 2022, 29% Supported Removing Parental Custody of Children if Parents Refused the COVID Vaccine
  • 59% supported requiring the unvaccinated to "remain confined to their homes at all times, except for emergencies" (house arrest) 
• What to do When an Educator Publicly Praises Political Assassination 
  • Working with local administrators and/or school board members can be the quickest and most effective strategy 
• MAHA Commission Unveils Sweeping Strategy to Make Our Children Healthy Again
  • The MAHA Report provides a blueprint for the entire government to focus on solving the chronic disease crisis facing American children
• Iowa Ranks 1st in Physician Salaries
  • Iowa ranks 1st in the nation with an average salary of $464,000 a year

Highlights in this edition:

• Support for Iowa Community Colleges Has Grown Under House Republicans
  • Since FY 2011 funding to community colleges has grown by 52.5% despite a drop in enrollment
• Feedback on New Social Studies Standards Sought
  • House Republicans identified deficiencies in the old standards and forced the inclusion of topics such as the crimes against humanity committed by communist regimes, the attacks on America on 9-11-2001 and instruction related to the Holocaust - Democrats voted against this effort
• Iowa Achieves Impressive Gains in Literacy and Science in New 2025 Assessment Results
  • The state-level results show encouraging improvements in student achievement across most grade levels in English language arts and science
• DPS Updates the Iowa Sex Offender Registry Website
  • Homepage links to active registrants and most wanted registrants

Highlights in this edition: 

• How Many Reports Does the Legislature Get Each Year?
  
  • For Fiscal Year 2025, only 75% of required reports have been filed
• Department Seeks Members for Social Studies Standards Review Committee
  • The committee is responsible for reviewing public comments and making final recommendations that will help determine Iowa's social studies standards
• Keep Rob Sand Away from Iowa Medicaid
  • If Iowa were to repeal Medicaid managed care, as Rob Sand repeatedly says he will do if elected Governor, Iowa's hospitals will lose $947 million annually 
• Evaluating the Regents' Minority and Women Educators Enhancement Program After 36 Years
  • After 36 years, it is reasonable to ask if this program has accomplished its goal

Highlights in this edition: 

• School Funding Overview
  • At $7,988 state dollars per student, a class of 20 receives $159,760 state dollars (does not count federal dollars)
• Small Town Grocers Receive Grants
  • The eight recipients selected are located in: Minden, Malcom, Winthrop, Independence, Charles City, Lake View, Riceville, and Sumner
• Iowa Holds Record for Smallest Baby and World's Earliest Preemie
  • Recently it was announced that Nash Keen from Ankeny, IA turned one-year old, making him the Guinness World Records titleholder for most premature baby with being born at 21-weeks gestation. Nash was born at just 10 ounces and after 189 days in the hospital, was able to go home in January 2025
• Have an Opinion About Iowa's Roads?
  • The survey is available on the Iowa DOT website and will remain open until August 31, 2025

Highlights in this edition:

• Gambling Tax Revenue Exceeds REC Forecast
  • Casinos and sports books handling sports wagering had earnings of $240.1 million for the fiscal year – in Iowa instead of taxing the actual bets, Iowa taxes these profits at 6.75 percent and deposits that money into the Sports Wagering Fund
• Web of PBM Enforcement to Occur with District Court Injunction Order
  • The case will now go to trial at the district court level
• Board of Regents Delays Action on DEI and CRT Policy
  • Iowans made their views on DEI and CRT crystal clear on election day in November of 2024 by rejecting candidates up and down the ballot who embraced these anti-American and often Marxist inspired dogmas
• IPERS Oversight
  • Overall, the system continues to move in a positive direction and the current funded ratio is the highest funded ratio since the “Great Recession”

Highlights in this edition: 

• Wisconsin Legislature Wins Legal Battle over Ability to Appropriate Funds to Itself
  • What makes the case unique is that the education funding was not appropriated to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, but instead was put in the Legislature's "emergency account"
• Iowa Department of Education Issues Final Report on Education Standards Comprehensive Review
  • Iowa's social studies standards were adopted in 2017 and in 2021 the Fordham Institute described them as vague, unambitious and without substance
• Democrats Cry Wolf on Medicaid and SNAP "Cuts" - What is Actually in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) 
  • The OBBB appropriates $10 billion per year to rural health care, and Iowa can assume to receive at least $100 million of those funds this January
• New Law to Promote and Expand Affordable Housing and Assisted Living Choices
  • This means families can add a small apartment or home on their property, creating new rental units or support for relatives

Highlights in this edition: 

• Governor Takes Final Action on FY 2026 Budget
  • $252.7 million increase to Iowa's Medicaid program
• Governor Signs Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform, Lawsuit Filed
  • The legislature hopes that legal delays do not cause pharmacy closures in the meantime
• Summer Nutrition Programs Across Iowa Provide Free Healthy Food Options During Summer Break
  • These federally funded programs are open to all children ages 18 and under
• Hands Free Law Goes into Effect on Tuesday
  • A violation will result in a $100 fine and will be considered a moving violation