Iowa Legislature finally approves plan to spend $56 million opioid settlement funds
The Gazette reports Iowa will distribute $56 million from a national opioid settlement, funds idle since 2023. Republicans in the final hours of the 2025 session resolved how to allocate the money after long House Senate disagreements. Senate Democrat Janice Weiner lauded the move, citing personal impact of substance use disorder in her family.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
House
Senate
Lawmakers approve opioid settlement spending in Iowa
Iowa lawmakers finalize allocation of up to 235 million dollars from opioid settlement through 2039, with 29 million to 10 programs and 27 million to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General's Office. Distribution 75 25 percent, with input from seven behavioral health districts and annual reports to lawmakers. Critics call for transparency and an advisory council. Senate Republicans opposed. The plan aims to reduce overdose deaths after 238 in 2023.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Weiner
Department of Health and Human Services
Department
Iowa
Attorney General’s
Thegazette.com
House
Senate Republicans
Community Letter Urges Defending Energy Tax Credits
A letter from Iowa urges Senator Grassley to oppose a tax bill that would end the 25C and 250 energy credits used by residents, Luther College, and local churches. The author cites reduced bills from efficiency upgrades, solar installation, and direct pay programs keeping money in the community.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alliant Energy
Midwest
Wall Street
Luther College
Reasonable Childhood Independence laws gain steam across states
Lenore Skenazy notes Florida Georgia and Missouri have passed or advanced laws protecting unsupervised childhood activities as not neglectful. Utah Oklahoma Texas Colorado Connecticut Illinois Montana Virginia already have similar laws, part of a Let Grow campaign to restore independent play and reduce parental overprotectiveness.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Florida
Georgia
Missouri
Brian Kemp
Utah
Oklahoma
Texas
Colorado
Connecticut
Illinois
Montana
Virginia
Peter Gray
GOP
Monique Miller
Let Grow
Leonard Spencer
Erin Grall
Senate
Barbara Sharief
Josh Hurlbert
Public school funding woes fuel Iowa political rift
Bruce Lear argues chronic underfunding and policy upheaval threaten schools in Iowa as the Legislature battles SSA funding, voucher expansion, and new mandates. He highlights a 0.5 percent funding gap, looming budget cuts, and proposed actions from House and Senate, urging accountability and prudent spending.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Senate
Kim Reynolds
Iowa
Also Mentioned on This Page
the Gazette
Community Letters
Chuck Grassley
Senate Finance Committee
Moony Sk Mgmt
Handymans
Bae
Counterpoint Media
Lisa Benson
Rpaint.com
Lenore Skenazy
Creators. Iskenazy
Yahoo.com
Doonesbury
Garry Trudeau
Ibably
Taa
Mallard Fillmore
Bruce Tinsley
Cei
Chaigpt
Bruce Lear
Iowa State Education Association
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