An attack on local control centre in Iowa Legislature
Guest columnist Bill Gerhard argues SSB 1145 would bar local entities from using project labor agreements and bidder qualification programs on public construction. He defends Home Rule, notes PLAs are voluntary tools used by public and private sectors, and warns the bill erodes local discretion and reflects special interests counter to Iowa tradition. Gerhard is president of the Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
General Motors
Toyota
Walt Disney
Cape Kennedy Space Center
Oak Ridge
Nevada Water Authority District
T.F. Green
Boards of Supervisors
Iowa Supreme Court
Bill Gerhard
The
Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council
Des Moines budget revolt and voter access debate
A letter page discusses a $131 million addition to a $118 million January budget deficit in Iowa. Republicans blame revenue shortfalls and tax cuts for companies like Rockwell Collins and John Deere, while Democrats urge using the Rainy Day Fund to avoid crippling services. The piece notes Gov. Branstad’s role and broader voter ID concerns, with citizen comments on forums, bridges, and immigration history.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Rockwell Collins
John Deere
DuPont Pioneer
Terry Branstad
ALEC
Americans For Prosperity
Iowa
Iowa should start incremental marijuana reform now
Adam Sullivan argues Iowa trails national reform, with many states legalizing small amounts. He notes SF 432 would reduce first time possession to a simple misdemeanor, easing local civil infractions and saving funds, while emphasizing local control and incremental change despite a Republican legislature and limited near-term legalization.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
National Conference of State Legislatures
Arizona
Kansas
Kentucky
Utah
Senate
Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee
Legislative Services Agency
State General Fund
Iowa City
Ann Arbor
Mich
Also Mentioned on This Page
PLAS
Community Letters
Branstad
China
Roger Prasil
Cedar Rapids
Myrna Loehrlein
Linn County League of Women Voters
Linn County Farm Bureau
Farm Bureau
Dave Gregory
Marion
New York City
Battery Park
Steve Bannon
Steve King
Third Reich
Floyd Sandford
Signe Wilkinson
Jsu
Post Writers Group
Postv
Qg.com
Adam Sullivan
Liberty
Sullivan
Gmail
Adam4liberty
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