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 

Highlights in this edition:

• Casino Gaming Tax Running Ahead of REC Projection
  • Iowa's sports wagering tax collections may see a further boost in the future, thanks to the Illinois Legislature
• Governor Signs Work Requirements for Medicaid Expansion Population
  • This bill ensures that able-bodied adults are working
• Private Property Rights Veto Won't Deter House Republicans
  • Despite the veto, Speaker Grassley has made it clear that protecting private property rights is essential
• State Transportation Commission Approves 2026-2030 Construction Plan
  • The plan expects to spend $4.3 billion in state and federal funding for various projects over those five years

Highlights in this edition:

• Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Addresses House Republican Priorities
  • And after some hard bargaining and over numerous objections, House Republicans maintained the commitment of $14 million of additional funding to school districts to supplement pay to paraeducators and other vital school support staff
• Governor Reynolds Signs Education Bills Into Law
  • HF 865 focuses on behavior over identity and applies the same standard to all kids focusing on a straightforward, individual-centered approach rooted in observable behavior, universal standards, and personal responsibility, avoiding an overreach into cultural or ideological territory
• We Know About Minnefornia...But What About Calirado?
  • Colorado made "deadnaming" and "misgendering" discriminatory acts under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act
• Iowa SNAP Waiver Approved, Begins January 1
  • Democrats seem to forget the "N" in SNAP stands for "nutrition."

Highlights in this edition: 

• Iowa's High School Graduation Rate Climbs
  • This marks the first time since 2020 that Iowa's graduation rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels
• Reinstating Common Sense School Discipline Policies
  • President Trump's EO emphasizes restoring safety and order in classrooms, arguing that prior policies prioritizing racial equity over behavior-based discipline compromised student safety and academic achievement 
• Behavioral Health Statewide Plan 
  • The plan outlines a comprehensive, person-centered system of care, focused on building a full behavioral health continuum
• Federal Budget: Lack of Evidence for Gender-Affirming Care
  • The report concluded that there is no robust evidence demonstrating that puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries are not effective in treating gender dysphoria or improving mental health outcomes in minors