Iowa 2008 Session Sets Health Care and Tax Reforms
The 2008 Iowa legislature enacted a statewide smoking ban in most public areas, earmarked 24.8 million for near universal child health coverage by 2011, and launched medical homes tele health and preventive care reforms. It approved highway funding raises through tax changes and expanded school funding while boosting teacher pay and college budgets. It also required county veteran aid and created a veterans home fund, plus beefed up environmental energy initiatives and water protection.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Health Care
Chet Culver
Iowa
Regent Universities
Veterans
Veterans’ Trust
Marshalltown
Environment
Power Fund
2008 Winners and Losers Across Civic Policy in Brief
A compact year in review lists 2008 winners across health coverage unions public employees road funding veterans schools and state officials. It also notes losers including smokers pickup owners property tax relief gift cards and tougher penalties for dogfight spectators and identity thieves with state fish tossed overboard.
Iowa House strips stronger standards from core curriculum bill
Despite Senate push, the Iowa House voted 49 45 to remove stricter content standards from Senate File 2216. The bill now requires a model core curriculum for 364 districts and nonpublic schools with minimum four years English, three years math science and social studies. Swati Dandekar and Art Staed led changes after talks with Gov Culver who vowed to prioritize standards next year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Uacous
Des Moines
Senate
Iowa House
Iowa
House
Swati Dandekar
Dmarion
Chet Culver
Phil Wise
D-Keokuk
Art Staed
Cedar Rapids
Capitol action caps session with plates for colleges and higher fines
Senate President Kibbie touts accomplishments as lawmakers close out the 82nd General Assembly. Gov Culver signs House File 2651 authorizing specialty license plates for private colleges and boosts highway work zone fines to 150, 300, 500, or 1000 dollars based on speed over limit. Fifteen legislators retire or seek Senate seats with Swati Dandekar Pam Jochum among candidates. Area retirements include Lundby Connolly Gipp Greiner and Foege.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Jack Kibbie
D-Emmetsburg
Chet Culver
Law House
House
General Assembly
Iowa
Swati Dandekar
Marion
Pam Jochum
Dubuque
Mary Lundby
Mike Connolly
D-Dubuque
Chuck Gipp
Decorah
Sandy Greiner
Keota
Ro Foege
Mount Vernon
Iowa Legislature Ends 100th Day With Large Budget, $484 Million Infrastructure Plan
The 100th day session culminated in a $6.133 billion general fund for 2009 and a $484 million infrastructure package. Lawmakers debated bonding up to $300 million for prison upgrades while funds shifted to the Values Fund and other accounts. A universal child health insurance framework was approved, aiming to cover 44,000 kids by 2011 with about $25 million in support.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Fort Madison
Jack Hatch
Des Moines
Senate
Mike Gronstal
Council Bluffs
Values Fund
Red
Boshart
Gazcomm.com
James.lynch
Gazcomm.c
Iowa Officials and Judges to Receive Pay Increases
The Iowa General Assembly approved a budget boosting salaries for most state elected officials and judges by 8 to 23.6 percent effective June 27. Future raises will be tied to the top pay range for state executives, a move aimed at depoliticizing compensation decisions. The package, totaling an $88.1 million payroll increase, is expected to be signed by Gov. Culver.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Des Moines
Iowa
General Assembly
Senate
Mike Gronstal
Council Bluffs
Gronstal
Chet Culver
Brad Anderson
Also Mentioned on This Page
By James Q. Lynch Tha Quantin
Rep
Capitol Digest
Rod Boshart
James Q. Lynch
the Gazette
GOP
Ron Wieck
Sioux City
Mary Mascher
Drowa City
Mitchellville
Washington, D.C
Mark Zieman
R-Postville
Sen
Mark
Zieman
Postville
Secretary of State
Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
Appropriations
Renee Maikon
Family Smile Care Center
Pic
32Nd Street
Adiology & Vascular
Robert J Schmall, M3
First Avenue
Rclown.com
United States
RCI
Gloria Clinton
First Ave
New York
Maikon
Center Point Rd
F Ave
Family-Foot
Iowa City
Chery
al Manage
T. Luke
Blairs Ferry
St. Luke
St. Luke's Home
St. Lukes Home
Tammy
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