Missed chance on marijuana penalties in Iowa Senate
The Gazette editorial argues Iowa lawmakers missed an opportunity to ease penalties for first time possession under 5 grams of marijuana. A 36-13 Senate vote blocked Senate File 219, keeping penalties as a serious misdemeanor with up to six months and a $1000 fine. The piece urges smarter penalties and notes a separate bill to create a limited medical marijuana program remains alive.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Senate
Steve Sodders
D-State Center
Marshall County
American Civil Liberties Union
Iowa Senate
Readers weigh faith and freedom in marriage and leadership
A reader letters section comments on religious liberty and public life. It praises Joni Ernst while criticizing political correctness, calls for a bold leader to defend the Constitution, and urges a government that protects traditional values without excluding faith from public shores. The piece warns of media influence on voters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jesus
Salem
Hillary
Bush
Reagan
America
McDonald's raise falls short of real wage relief
Mary Sanchez argues the $1 minimum above local wages for company owned stores helps but excludes franchise locations where 90 percent of outlets operate. She notes franchising shields wage growth, highlights broader systemic causes of stagnant pay, and supports higher minimum wages as a first step while urging deeper reforms.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
McDonald’s
Wal-Mart
Target
National Labor Relations Board
NLRB
Center For Economic Policy Research
Wall Street Journal
White Castle
Leveling the field for ride shares in Iowa
Guest columnist Jack Whitver argues for a statewide, level regulatory field to foster a vibrant Internet driven economy. He praises Uber as a model and supports a March 24 House vote 95 to 5 approving a bill to standardize rules, aiming to attract talent, support farming communities, and reduce barriers for startups. Whitver urges Senate passage to create fair competition and lower prices for Iowans.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Uber
Des Moines
Cedar Rapids
Iowa City
Senate
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Gazette
Thegazette.com
Ernst
Joni Ernst
Clinton
U.S
ISIS
Iran
Mary Sanchez
Tribune News Service
Msanchez
Kcstar.com
Jack Whitver
Ankeny
Jack
Jackwhitver
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!