Category Archives: Iowa Legislature

Paulsen Retires But House Continues in ALEC’s Hands

Posted on August 8, 2015 by Dave Bradley

Just in case the citizens of Iowa were concerned that the retirement of Kraig Paulsen as speaker of the House next January might loosens ALEC’s grip on the Iowa House rest assured that the most likely successor is even tighter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALEC, Branstad, Education, GOP, Iowa Legislature | Tagged Kraig Paulsen, Linda Upmeyer, profitizing, school funding | Comments Off

Study: Cannabis can help treat bone fractures

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Dave Bradley

One of the real mysteries to many Americans is how our country can turn a blind eye to a plant that has been shown that it could help solve some major problems from agriculture to construction to medicine. The ban … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Legislature, medical marijuana | Tagged cannabidiol oil | 1 Comment

2015 Iowa Legislative Session – Tobacco Control

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Paul Deaton

Eileen Fisher is a Johnson County resident and president of CAFE Iowa CAN, a network of tobacco control advocates whose presence is felt continuously among Iowa legislators. She recently provided this report on tobacco control legislation during the 2015 session … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Legislature, Iowa legislature 2015 | Tagged Iowa Legislature, Tobacco Control | Comments Off

#QuitWhining Fallout: Senator Johnson Doubles Down, Calls for Privatizing Education

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Dave Bradley

For Immediate Release July 10, 2015 Contact: Josh Levitt jlevitt@iowademocrats.org Important Questions Remain: Will Iowa GOP Condemn Johnson’s Remarks? Do Iowa GOP leaders support Johnson’s Desire to Privatize Education? DES MOINES – The Iowa Republican Party hit a new low … Continue reading →

Posted in Branstad, Education, Iowa Legislature, Iowa legislature 2015, Republicn Policy | Tagged David Johnson, privatizing education, school funding | Comments Off

Republicans Fail Iowans In 2015 Session

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Paul Deaton

(Editor’s Note: Joe Bolkcom represents Iowa Senate District 43 in the Legislature. The following editorial appeared in the Iowa City Press Citizen, and is reprinted with permission of the author). When considering the accomplishments of the 2015 session of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Legislature, Iowa legislature 2015, Joe Bolkcom | Tagged Iowa Legislature, Iowa legislature 2015, Iowa medical cannabis program, K-12 School Funding | Comments Off

Whatsamatta With Kansas? Lots!

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Dave Bradley

Catching up on some old reading I finally got around to reading Peter Fisher’s synopsis of the disastrous Kansas budget over at Iowa Fiscal Partnership. Justice Louis Brandeis once called states “the laboratories of democracy.” As the major laboratory for … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Education, Iowa Legislature, Iowa Policy Project | Tagged grover norquist, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, tax cuts, Wisconsin | Comments Off

Heartsill’s Anti-Gay Witch Hunt Empowers Bullies, Misleads Educators

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Dave Bradley

For Immediate Release: May 28th, 2015 Contact: Matt Sinovic, (515) 423-0530 Des Moines, Iowa — In recent weeks, State Representative Greg Heartsill (R-Chariton) has engaged in a series of attacks and attempts to misinform his fellow legislators, Iowa educators, and … Continue reading →

Posted in GLBT, Iowa Legislature, Progress Iowa | Tagged Greg Heartsill | Comments Off

School Funding, Affordable College, Bipartisan Bills: The Courtney Report

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Dave Bradley

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, QUALITY SCHOOLS REMAIN KEY STICKING POINTS Disagreements over education funding are preventing the Legislature from adjourning for the year. Iowa families count on great local schools to give their children and grandchildren a leg up in life. High-quality … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog for Iowa, Courtney, Courtney Report, Iowa Legislature, Iowa legislature 2015 | Tagged higher education, school funding | Comments Off

Letter From NCEL Re: Fast Track Authority

Posted on May 23, 2015 by Dave Bradley

Even though the boat may have sailed in the US senate, there still may be time to help stop it in the House. The following press release and letter were sent by the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators including Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in Corporate Greed, Environment, Environment Iowa, Iowa Legislature, Iowa legislature 2015, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) | Tagged fast track, ISDS, Isenhart, TTIP | Comments Off

School Funding, Budget, Medical Marijuana – The Courtney Report

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Dave Bradley

ed. note: this is an editted version of Senator Courtney’s newsletter. For the full newsletter, please go here BUDGET PRIORITIES WILL EXPAND IOWA’S MIDDLE CLASS This week, the Iowa Senate released a budget proposal that will expand Iowa’s middle class … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget, Courtney, Courtney Report, Iowa Legislature, Iowa legislature 2015 | Tagged school funding | Comments Off