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Up was down yesterday on the floor of the Iowa House of Representatives, as Republicans invoked Martin Luther King, Jr. and Karl Marx as they passed House File 802, a bill that would whitewash education by prohibiting the discussion of so-called “divisive concepts” in diversity training programs. The bill passed 59-36. One amendment expanded the […]
So-called “right to work” laws negatively impact a state’s workforce and economic growth, according to a recent report released by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal. Iowa is one of twenty seven states with such laws. The report, released last month, shows how, in terms of worker financial security, […]
The good, the bad, and the much worse would be an apt description of this year’s legislative session, and many of those bad or worse bills survived last week’s legislative funnel, a deadline requiring proposals to have passed through at least a subcommittee and committee hearing. Earlier today advocates and activists joined Moral Mondays Iowa […]
The Iowa Legislative Black Caucus, led by Rep. Ras Smith, has issued a response to Gov. Kim Reynolds, calling on her to put forward anti-racial profiling legislation, and to veto legislation that has been stripped of that language that she’s currently considering. Smith started the conference with this statement: “The path to racial equality is […]
Legislation proposed by Republicans in the Iowa House of Representatives would define what diversity training programs are allowed to teach in schools, about racism and sexism, banning discussion of any so-called “divisive” topics. The bill, House Study Bill 258, has no language preventing discussion about ideas or questions that come up during diversity training, but […]
Despite almost 50,000 continuing unemployment claims in Iowa, legislation to alter and reduce unemployment insurance pushes forward, with those thousands of Iowans set to suffer as a result. SSB 1172 requires a one-week waiting period before someone who is unemployed can receive benefits, it lowers the amount paid to people with multiple dependents and it […]
A voter suppression bill is on its way to the desk of Governor Kim Reynolds less than a week after being introduced, and following a contentious debate pointing out the numerous ways it will curb access to early voting. Iowa is one of dozens of states with proposed legislation to make early voting and voting […]
Legislation that would restrict the ability of Iowans to vote is part of a national effort to suppress voter turnout, according to a report released by Progress Iowa. The report, National Voter Suppression Efforts Come to Iowa, explains the impact of the law. It also lists states with similar or related legislative proposals. “As troubling […]
Legislation that would slash support for workers who need it most is moving forward with Republican support at the state capitol, all while a pandemic that drove people from the workplace, transitioned many into working from home and cost many others their jobs is still raging. At the subcommittee meeting where the legislation was discussed, […]
Legislation introduced this week would increase but limit the amount of money awarded in a trial against a health care provider, doing away with a jury’s input. Currently, the amount recoverable in medical malpractice suits for noneconomic damages like pain, disability, disfigurement and trauma is capped at $250,000 unless a jury decides more is warranted. […]