Highlights in this edition:

• A Brief History of the Taxpayer Relief Fund
  • The Taxpayer Relief Fund now has $3.6772 billion in its account
• In Person and Absentee ID Requirements Should Match
  • HF 2610 requires that the voter sign an affidavit envelope and affix their driver’s license number or voter identification number before placing it in a secrecy envelope
• House Bill Helps Religious Groups Aid Local Communities
  • This is another tool for local governments to further utilize public dollars to help those in their communities who need assistance
• Iowa Rated Best State to Drive In
  • Iowa has one of the lowest rush-hour traffic congestion rates in the country and has commutes at less than 20 minutes on average

Highlights in this edition:

• House Education Committee Passes K-12 Education Standards Review
  • The Iowa Department of Education is directed to conduct a comprehensive review of the graduation requirements, core curriculum, core content standards, and education standards
• Iowa’s Civics and U.S. History Standards Too Vague, Lack Specifics
  • Iowa received a “D” in civics standards and an “F” in U.S. History standards
• House Labor and Workforce Committee Passes Work-Based Learning Bill
  • The bill gives students and schools more flexibility on how they administer the program and how credits fit in with schedules
• School Security Bill Protects Kids, Gives Options to School Districts
  • The legislation helps schools pay for school resource officers and creates a professional weapons permit and with extensive training for school employees
• State Government Approves Bill on First Responders
  • The bill ensures that all types of cancer are covered for Iowa’s firefighters

Highlights in this edition:

• January Revenue Comes in Strong
  • Through the first seven months of the fiscal year, net General Fund receipts are 2.1 percent higher than in Fiscal Year 2023
• House Education Committee Passes Bill to Protect Students and Teachers against Retaliation
  • This bill protects teachers and students from being bullied into compelled speech
• Regulating Temp Staffing Agencies in Health Care
  • It is estimated HF 2199 will save Iowa Medicaid between $7.5 million and $12.5 million
• HHS Committee Advances Children’s Mental Health Legislation
  • HSB 502 provides for an enhanced rate for psychiatric medical institutions for children with specialized needs

Highlights in this edition:

• Major Maintenance List Grows to $474 Million according to DAS
  • The State Historical Building has $75.5 million of work
• Democrats Unanimously Oppose Maternity Home Legislation
  • A maternity group home is a community-based residential home that provides room and board, personal care, supervision, training, support and education in a family environment for women who are pregnant or have given birth in the last two years
• Certified Enrollment for 2023-24 Holds Steady; 16,757 ESA Participants Enrolled at Iowa Accredited Nonpublic Schools
  • Public school district certified enrollment was 483,699, down only one-half percent
• Bills Advance on Child Care, Maternal Health, and Parent Access to Medical Records
  • House File 2064 requires health care providers to give parents access to their children’s health care information

Read the full amendment HERE. 

Highlights in this edition:

• What Happens When the State of Iowa is Facing a Lawsuit?
  • Who pays any claim or settlement when the state or one of its employees is being sued? The taxpayers
• Area Education Agency Update
  • The Governor’s office has stated that an amendment to the original bill is coming
• What is a Woman?
  • House Study Bill 588 sets a definition of “woman” in Iowa code
• Where Does the DEI Restructuring Plan at Iowa Universities Stand Right Now?
  • The Regents universities appointed their own committees to help implement the Board of Regents recommendations, but those implementation plans won’t be before the board until April
• Your Children Still have the Right to Privacy
  • Protecting the privacy of children should be a priority for all adults

Highlights in this edition:

• Gambling Tax Revenue Climbs in December, But Still Lags Behind FY 2023
  • The Revenue Estimating Conference projected that gaming tax revenue will come in at $318.5 million which represents a $24 million decline from the previous year
• Social Media Use Leads to Poor Mental Health Among Teens and Negatively Impacts Learning
  • When schools place limitations on phones during recess, researchers found that students exercise far more, burning off energy, fostering physical health, and promoting better attention in class
• House HHS Committee Hears Presentation on Mental Health
  • Republicans approved nine different bills dealing with mental health last session
• You Can’t “Yada Yada” Road Safety Anymore, with Feds Now Coming for Humorous Road Safety Messages
  • The Federal Highway Administration issued new guidance for states to stop using humorous phrases on electronic signs

Highlights in this edition:

• Governor Releases Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal
  • The Governor is proposing an increase of $367.1 million or 4.29 percent over the adjusted FY 24 budget
• Eighth Circuit Upholds Constitutionality of Two Iowa Ag Trespass Laws
  • The laws dealt with ag production facility trespass and with cameras or electronic surveillance device trespass
• Governor Reynolds’ Education Priorities Include Higher Teacher Pay, Better Reading Instruction and AEA Reform
  • Increases the minimum teacher salary from $33,500 to $50,000 and create a minimum teacher salary of $62,000 for teachers with 12 years of experience
• Race, Ethnicity, Household Income, Education, Sex of Parent Are Not Determinants of Youth Mental Health
  • Parenting style is far more important than demographics
• Governor Reynolds Lays Out Work Based Learning Plan for Students
  • Allows students to earn core credit for competency based WBL programs

Highlights in this edition:

• Revenue Estimating Conference Makes Slight Adjustments to Forecasts for Fiscal Year 2024 & 2025
  • The slight decline $60 million in revenue comes from the next round of rate reductions adopted in the 2022 tax reform bill
• Blue States Feeling Blue About Future Revenue
  • Minnesota Democrats increased state spending by 38.5 percent and spent down their budget surplus from $17 billion to $2.4 billion
• Chronic Absenteeism in Iowa Schools
  • Iowa is one of only five states that saw an increase in chronic absenteeism
• Exposure to Age-Inappropriate Material is Harmful to Children
  • Two lawsuits aim to invalidate recently implemented guidelines what is not age-appropriate material in schools
• Study Finds Children Who Grow Up In Politically Liberal Households More Prone to Suffer Mental Health Problems
  • Among the differences that conservative parents displayed from liberal parents were the ability to "effectively discipline their children, while also displaying affection and responding to their needs
• Public Retirement Systems Committee Hears Presentations
  • The IPERS report continues the trend of the funded ratio moving upwards seeing the highest funded ratio since FY 2012