Highlights in this edition:

• Who to Believe When it Comes to State Budget Management
  • Brian Meyer and House Democrats have a track record of spending too much, saving too little and cutting money from K-12 schools
• New District-Level Ratings Added to the Iowa School Performance Profiles
  • Indicators focus on proficiency in English language arts, mathematics and science, student academic growth, chronic absenteeism and attendance growth among all K-12 schools
• COVID-19 Revealed the Scope of a Governor’s Emergency Powers – Should There Be Limits?
  • When emergency powers lack firm limits, they can be hijacked by incompetent left-wingers like Tim Walz and JB Pritzker
• Guidance on Reporting Tips and Overtime under the New Exemption
  • Tax year 2025 will be treated as a transition period for IRS enforcement and administration of the new information reporting requirements for cash tips and qualified overtime compensation 

Highlights in this edition:

• Farm Income in Iowa – Doing Much Better Than Some Would Have You Believe
  • Net farm income for 2026 would total $9.33 billion, which is significantly higher than the 2024 level of $7 billion
• State Board of Education to Do First Reading of the Revised Social Studies Standards on Thursday, December 4
  • Members of the public may join the meeting in person at the Grimes State Office Building or remotely through video conferencing or by telephone
• Cancer Prevention and Treatment Focus of Rural Health Transformation Plan
  • Funding will go towards regional hubs to have local rural facilities provide diagnostics, chemotherapy and infusion services, and follow-up care, with telehealth consultations with cancer experts
• Minnesota: Land of Fraud
  • A 2024 audit found that investigators withdrew or softened inquiries out of concern that they would be accused of racism
• Illinois Continues to Tax Hard Working Americans’ Tips and Overtime
  • It appears Governor Pritzker’s disdain for hard working law abiding citizens extends beyond his indifference to public safety

Highlights in this edition:

• Gaming Revenue Continues Strong Start for FY 2026
  • For the start of Fiscal Year 2026, sport wagering tax revenue are up 21 percent over the same period last year
• Iowa Rural Health Transformation Plan Released
  • Currently the federal government is reviewing all 50 state applications and will receive awards by December 31, 2025
• Veterans in Iowa's Workforce 
  • Iowa Workforce Development provides resources through Home Base Iowa to help veterans 
• Iowa Steps Up the Fight Against Human Trafficking
  • The most recent update came in 2025 with House File 649, which refines Iowa's legal definition of human trafficking to close loopholes and strengthen prosecutions

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