Legislature approves Social Services bill in Des Moines
Senate action marks a shift in attitude toward the Department of Social Services as Victor Preisser gains executive latitude. Lawmakers on the House Senate Budget Subcommittee note a reversal from two months earlier when the department moved nearly 1 million dollars without guidance. The new bill merges sub budgets into lump sums for all four mental health institutions, signaling greater flexibility while preserving legislative oversight.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Senate
Victor Preisser
Department of Social Services
Department
House
Social Services
Preisser
Kevin Burns
Ingwer Hansen
R-Hartley
William Hargrave
Iowa City
Hargrave
John Brunow
Centerville
Legislature Gives Flexibility to Social Service Department
The Iowa Legislature considers a lump sum budgeting shift for the Department of Social Services under Preisser. Supporters say it spares red tape and boosts efficiency while critics fear power concentration and accountability issues. Some lawmakers remain cautious about Preisser’s continued tenure.
House amends Senate bottle bill then sends back
In passing the bottle bill Thursday the House amended the Senate amendments. The bill returns to the Senate which may accept the changes or send the measure to a conference committee.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
Court action could upend gas refunds plan for Iowa customers
A Scott County District Court ruling upholds a 1976 Iowa State Commerce Commission order that may require Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Co to refund about 3.7 million dollars to its Iowa customers including potential refunds to Cedar Rapids. The company must file a notice of appeal by April 3. Dean R. Stichnoth said the ruling’s full implications will be reviewed to decide on an appeal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Scott County
Iowa State Commerce Commission
Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric Co
Commission
Iowa-Illinois
Iowa
Cedar Rapids
Iowa Supreme Court
Dean R. Stichnoth
Iowa Illinois
Stichnoth
Bottle bill debate warns of widespread cheating
A Des Moines lobbyist argues steel cans will trigger cheating as distributors redeem cans for profit rather than recycle. Kennedy of the Citizens Committee to Eliminate Litter says the bill flaws will drive misredemption and price manipulation, while backer Sen. Ramsey disputes the risk and cites aluminum as a possible alternative.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Gene Kennedy
Kennedy
Citizens Committee
Senate
Richard Ramsey
Rosceola
Ramsey
Elderly rate Clark 100 percent on senior bills
The National Council of Senior Citizens awarded Sen. Dick Clark 100 percent for his 1977 voting on elderly legislation and a 100 percent cumulative rating for 1973 77. Rep. Charles Grassley received a zero for not voting for the elderly last year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
UPI
National Council of Senior Citizens
Dick Clark
Iowa
Charles Grassley
Clark
NCSC
Grassley
House
Senate
Grassley the lone dissent as DC full representation advances
Five of Iowa's six congressmen joined the House majority for a constitutional amendment to grant the District of Columbia full congressional representation. Only Third District Republican Charles Grassley voted against the measure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
UPI
Iowa
House
District of Columbia
Charles Grassley
Regents employees moved to statewide health plan by council
Des Moines AP reports Rep. Arthur Small decries the Iowa Executive Council move forcing Board of Regents merit employees into a single statewide health insurance system. He cites lack of employee input and higher premiums with fewer benefits, proposing legislation to reverse the action.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
DES Moines
Arthur Small
Iowa City
Iowa Executive Council
Board of Regents
Small
University of Iowa
Regents
Council
Gene Vernon
Also Mentioned on This Page
Legislature
Legislative Branch
Hansen
Robert Rush
Bob Ray
Brunow
DSS
Joint Committee
Rush
Burns
Mmittee
Juvenile Justice
Performance Audit Bureau
Lee
Neta Rente
Fosco Yyoo
Osco Film Club
Yin
Midland
Caravell
MURA
C.E
Rial
OSCO
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!