Tag Archives: Iowa legislature 2015

“Lost Schools,” Iowa Medicaid Changes, JCDems Fall BBQ

Sign up for Senator Bolkcom’s newsletter. In addition to [Governor Branstad’s] deadly decision to unilaterally close two critically needed Iowa mental health facilities, his veto of $55 million in much-needed funding for our local schools because he said we could … Continue reading

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Republicans Fail Iowans In 2015 Session

(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

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How The Gun Lobby’s Top Legislative Priority In Iowa Was Defeated

desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/06/29/common-sense-guns/ by John Feinblatt Every four years, the national media looks to Iowa for stories about where American voters stand on pressing issues. After what happened this spring here in Des Moines, it’s clear where Iowans stand on guns and … Continue reading

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Iowa Will Have Expanded Broadband Internet Access

 Something good came out of the Iowa legislature this session. IowaHouse.org/StatehouseNews/6-24-15 A bipartisan bill to expand broadband internet access to more homes, schools and businesses was signed into law by Governor Branstad last week. The bill also contains language regarding … Continue reading

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Branstad Throws $21 Million At Egyptian Fertilizer Company While Telling Iowa Schools to F*** Off

progressiowa.org Branstad Funds Orascom Instead of Schools DES MOINES — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today approved an additional $21.5 million in tax incentives for the Iowa Fertilizer Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Orascom Construction Industries. The total … Continue reading

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Iowa Republicans Attempt To Dismantle Public Schools; Democrats Try To Stop Them

senate.iowa.gov/democrats On the Iowa Senate Democrats website:  The Legislature closed out the 2015 session with Senate Democrats opting to end five months of gridlock on school funding. The goal of the compromise is to maintain educational opportunities and boost student … Continue reading

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How You Can Help Eminent Domain Bill Pass This Week

fallonforum.com Time for “trump card” on eminent domain bill Dear Friends, With the legislative session likely to end this week and the eminent domain bill languishing, it’s time to pull out all the stops. I ask you to do three … Continue reading

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Bipartisan Issues Are Being Ignored In Iowa House

2016 Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders made a huge splash around Iowa over the weekend drawing large, enthusiastic crowds.  Martin O’Malley was also in Iowa on the campaign trail. Check out this short video by East Des Moines Democrats of O’Malley … Continue reading

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Pie Has Everything To Do With It

Iowa Democratic legislators apparently still think that Republicans can be embarassed for their silly, pathetic behavior. In this video it is wryly commented upon that Republicans seem more concerned about what kind of pie they are being served than about … Continue reading

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Summary: A Safe And Secure Iowa Medical Cannabis Program

senate.iowa.gov/democrats/ SSB 1243: A safe and secure Iowa medical cannabis program Why? A responsible, compassionate response to suffering: Establishing an Iowa medical cannabis program is the most responsible, compassionate alternative to continuing to tell Iowans to either (1) suffer in … Continue reading

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