Senate approves SF 390 on county government reform
The Iowa Senate passed Senate File 390 26 to 22 approving a bill to let cities and counties reorganize under alternative forms of government. The measure would allow charter commissions to decide if county elections are partisan or nonpartisan, a point critics feared would boost influence of the rich and powerful.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Q. Lynch
Gazette
Des Moines
Senate
Cedar Rapids Area
Charter Commissions
Mike Connolly
Dubuque
Iowa panel weighs advocacy agencies reorganization plan
A Government Oversight Committee panel in Des Moines will discuss merging and reshaping state advocacy agencies to cut overhead. Options include uniting the Blind, Deaf Services, and Disabilities agencies, creating an Elder Affairs and Advocacy department, and merging justice, drug policy, and community action divisions. Stakeholders warn savings may be limited due to underfunding, with next steps possibly drafting a bill this session or studying it over the summer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Q. Lynch
Gazette Des Moines
Government Oversight Committee
Department For the Blind
School For the
Board of Regents
Elder Affairs
Commissions
Civil Rights Commission
Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning
Drug Control Policy Office
Iowa Department of Economic Development
Watchdogs Attack Borrow and Spend Iowa Growth Plan
A Muscatine group Towans for Tax Relief launches a six figure TV and radio push opposing a proposed 82 billion bonding plan to fund a state growth fund. Jeff Boeyink says tax cuts and deregulation better grow Iowa’s economy than debt. GOP leaders cite Vision Iowa bond success as proof borrowing can work.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rod Boshart
Gazette Des Moines
Muscatine
Boeyink
Jowans For
GOP
Vision
Iowa
Senate acts on Garnaville water dispute over stream classification
Iowa Senate approved a measure 30 to 19 requiring DNR to publish public notices on scientific methods used to review cold water stream classifications before any change that could affect a small town sewer system. Garnaville warns reclassification could cost up to 1.5 million for plant compliance and raise local utility bills for about 750 residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
DNR
South Cedar Creek
Garnaville
Clayton County
Senate
Bill Doetzler
Waterloo
Iowa House Renames Economic Department to IDEA
The Iowa House approved renaming the Department of Economic Development to the Iowa Department of Economic Advancement to form the IDEA acronym. The Iowa Economic Development Board becomes the Iowa Economic Advancement Board. Also approved was a bill to give Iowa residents an appeal path when health insurers deny procedures, with toll free numbers and ID card posting required. The measure notes external review is a model for others and cites about $300,000 in procedures resulting from appeals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Q. Lynch
de Gazette
Des Moines
Iowa
Iowa House
State Department of Economic Development
DED
Iowa Department of Economic Advancement
Mike Blouin
Rotary
Blouin
House
North Iowa
Senate sends pass on shoulder bill to governor
The Senate approved House File 343 by 49 to 0 sending a law allowing passing on the right of a turning vehicle to the governor. The bill requires two or more lanes moving in the same direction and unobstructed pavement. It also directs coordination with law enforcement to assess abuse reports.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Tom Vilsack
House
Iowa House passes public health bill amid disaster plan
The Des Moines bill cleared the House 94 to 9 and moves to the Senate. It would allow public health officials to order a physical examination and vaccination when the governor declares a public health disaster to prevent spread of an infectious disease.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Senate OKs creating child protection teams
DES MOINES A bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday would require county attorneys to form local child protection assistance teams that coordinate investigations and services for abused and neglected children.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dick Dearden
Des Moines
Polk County
Senate
Stewart Iverson
Oks
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mary Lundby
Marion
Bob Brunk
R-Waverly
R-Manon
Alex Dorgan-Ross
The
Linda Goeldner
Iowa Nurses Association
Statehouse
Jeff Boayink
Ambureau Giaf Net
Jeff Boeyink Jowans
Iowa Senate
State Department of Natural Resources
Garnavillo
Mark Zieman
R-Postville
Lee
Westdale Mall
Watt
Saad
Solid Waste & Recycling Department
State Development Office
James Dynch
Gazettecommunications
Sazette
Wre
Davcapen
Feenesen
Tan
Ant
Peane
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