Moment of silence bill put on pause
The House Education Committee debated an optional daily moment of silence in Iowa schools but postponed a vote due to two GOP supporters being absent. Rep. Carroll urged passage to reassure teachers the practice is legal, while opponents argued it is unnecessary and could clutter code. A later vote was anticipated before Friday’s deadline for nonmoney bills.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Des Moines
House
Danny Carroll
Nell
House Education Committee
Iowa
Mascher
Cindy Winckler
D-Davenport
Carroll
Vilsack cautions on fault divorce plan in Iowa
Governor Tom Vilsack said the revised optional marriage contract plan improves on earlier ideas but risks reimposing fault in divorce. He warned that restoring fault criteria could hurt children, even as he supports efforts to strengthen marriage. The proposal would bar use of no fault divorce unless couples sign an opt in contract and may require counseling or mediation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Tom Vilsack
Iowa
Vilsack
Furlough plan sparks union and GOP clash over Iowa cuts
AFSCME spokeswoman Nichols says the early retirement and four month pay raise delay insult workers as Republicans push a furlough to fill a 120 million shortfall. Sen Connolly calls it outrageous and Vilsack warns deeper cuts risk service and education quality while colleges face layoffs and tuition hikes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Afscme
Marcia Nichols
Nichols
Mike Connolly
D-Dubuque
Brent Siegrist
Council Bluffs
Vilsack
Regent
English language learning funding set to rise in Iowa
DES MOINES AP The House Education Committee approved a measure to increase state spending on English as a second language programs by about 1.1 million dollars initially, with eventual gains of 1.94 million in state funds and 287 thousand in local property taxes. Rep Betty Grundberg cited growing diverse student bodies in cities like Muscatine Storm Lake and Marshalltown.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
House
Betty Grundberg
Grundberg
Muscatine
Storm Lake
Marshalltown
Phil Wise
C-heokuk Grundberg
Bill would toughen school standards in Iowa
AP reports a bill to strengthen school attendance laws and standards in Iowa. Black leaders back the plan after releasing the State of Black Iowa report noting high rates of out of wedlock births, poverty among young children, and black juvenile incarceration. Rep. Jack Hatch sponsors the measure, which must clear an initial committee by Friday to stay alive this session.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Jonathan Narcisse
Iowa
Kalbach
Lawmakers urged again to improve livestock rules
Scores of activists urged the Iowa Statehouse to tighten regulation of large livestock operations and grant local communities greater say in siting. They pressed for a moratorium on factory farms, stronger air quality rules, and local zoning power, amid a pushback from GOP leaders seeking careful study and no immediate moratorium.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Statehouse
Paul Ackley
Bedford
Barb Kalbach
Stuart
Iowa
Iowa Citizens For Community Improvement
GOP
Also Mentioned on This Page
By Rod Boshart
Mary Mascher
Rod Boshart
Infi
Grinnell
Rep
D-Iown City
Gov. Tom Vilsack
Legislative Branch
General Assembly
Senate
Buzz Orr
Joe Bolkcom
Iowa City
Iowa Senate
Capitol
Bolkcom
Appropriations
Commerce
Natural Resources
State of Black
Davenport
Narcisse
Jack Hatch
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