Lawmakers Close 2010 Session With Budget Approval
Democrats shepherd a 2011 budget through the final House and Senate votes ending the 2010 session after 79 days. The catchall budget totals over 2.7 billion for the year with nearly 5.3 billion from the general fund and about 600 million in one-time sources including 328.4 million in federal aid and 267.4 million from reserves. A 150 million bonding part of a 274 million infrastructure package was authorized as lawmakers hit the campaign trail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rod Boshart
Des Moines Bureau
Des Moines
General Assembly
Senate
Mike Gronstal
Council Bluffs
House
Iowa lawmakers defend budget under disaster recovery focus
Top Democrats tout funding for education health care and public safety in fiscal 2011 funded by one-time sources to avoid layoffs and preserve services. They claim saving 250 million in a sweeping government revamp. Republicans counter that spending rose and job creation lagged while shifting costs to property taxpayers.
Highlights of the 2010 Iowa Legislature achievements and gaps
The 2010 Iowa Legislature enacted bans on most texting by drivers and young driver cell use, restricted firearms for domestic abusers, reorganized state government to cut costs, offered early retirement for seniors, tightened campaign finance rules, raised many traffic penalties, expanded veterans benefits, and extended health and education provisions. It also debated taxes, gambling, alcohol sales, housing, education, open government enforcements, and Medicaid coverage, with several programs suspended or modified through 2013. The session advanced or rejected dozens of policy items, including alcohol and liquor laws, environmental rules, and school funding.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Linn
Black Hawk
Iowa sheriffs back change to carry permit rule debate
Iowa sheriffs from Jones and Cedar counties supported a bill to unify permit standards in Des Moines. They argued a shall issue approach strengthens law and crime drops with armed residents, while opponents blamed NRA influence and favored keeping current discretion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gardner
Jones County
Mark Denniston
Cedar County
Warren Wethington
Des Moines
Denniston
Wethington
Rotter
Iown
Iowa lawmakers push higher beer, MMA, and road safety rules
Iowa moves to let brewers ship high alcohol beers in state and curb texting by drivers under 18. The plan also tightens amateur MMA oversight with medical staff and referees, and restricts roadside ditch mowing before July 15 to protect pheasants. Culvert action awaited.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Feenstra
Iowa
Bill Dotzler
Waterloo
Dotzler
Joe Six-pack
Culver
Merlin Bartz
R-Grafton
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Todd Taylor
Cedar Rapids
Iowa House
Kraig Paulsen
Hiawatha
Chris Rants
Sioux City
Iowa General Fund
Boshart
Gazcomm.com
Fiscal Services Division Gazette
Congress
Statehouse
Tional Rifle Association
NRA
Orlan
Lonny Pulkrabeh
Johnson County
GazetteOnline.com
Wwood RL Lh
Blind Factory
Blindfasterygroup.com
First Ave
Lowe
Chareby
Aol
Rix Bee
Gilbert
Iowa City
USHC
Orthopedic
THE
University OF Iowa
College OF Nursing
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