Politics
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IDP Chair Ross Wilburn Talks Party Building, Voter Outreach, Caucus
It had been a while since a sitting chair of the Iowa Democratic Party visited the state’s most northwestern and conservative corner, so Ross Wilburn’s recent stop was noticeable. “We don’t always get a lot of attention up here in Red Country,” said O’Brien County Democratic Party chair Karen Sterk. Wilburn was the guest of…
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How Miller-Meeks Seeks to Stop new Water Quality Regulations
A bill to improve water quality and monitor for harmful chemicals passed the US House of Representatives recently without the support of any Iowa Republicans. Instead, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, alongside Sen. Joni Ernst, support a set of rules that prioritize local control over certain waterways and limit how much the federal government can regulate those…
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Sending Troopers to Texas Cost Iowans $300,000
Iowa taxpayers will foot the bill for a $300,000 14-day mission to the Southern US Border that included 28 Iowa State Patrol personnel. Gov. Kim Reynolds held a press conference Wednesday to give an update on the effort, which took place July 8-22. Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Baynes estimated expenditure to cost about $300,000. Of…
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Reynolds: Wage Increases Not State’s Responsibility
The issue of worker shortages at restaurants has come up again as nine Burger King employees quit en masse over working conditions in Lincoln, Nebraska. The workers’ actions went viral after they put up on the restaurant’s sign “We all quit,” later explaining to local news that they were working 50 to 60 hours a…
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Axne, Families Tout What Coming Child Tax Credit Can Do For Iowans
Four out of five Iowans with children will start seeing more money in their bank accounts as the first payments of a new child tax credit go out July 15. To showcase the benefit, U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, Iowa state Sen. Zach Wahls and Iowa state Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, along with three Iowa parents, spoke…
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Miller-Meeks Votes Against Local Projects She Requested Funds For
A bill to provide billions for infrastructure projects across the country passed the House of Representatives this past week. Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks voted no. Nonetheless, the projects Miller-Meeks requested money for will still get it. Some of those projects include road work, bridge replacement and trail work in Iowa’s 2nd District. The cost for…
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Axne Keeps Focus On Mental Health With Biden-Signed Bill Honoring Iowa Veteran
In 2018, the average number of veteran suicides was 17.6 per day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. In November 2020, the VA released an updated report and found that number has not changed significantly. In 2016, Sgt. Brandon Ketchum died by suicide after being denied access to mental health services at the VA…
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Axne Secures Funding For Iowa Bridges, Roads And Transit Projects
Six new Iowa infrastructure projects are on track to have funding thanks to Iowa Rep. Cindy Axne. The Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act passed in the House of Representatives yesterday, and with it, over $21 million of funding for six projects in Iowa’s 3rd congressional…
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Iowa Still Hasn’t Requested Rescue Plan Funds For Small Towns
Though the money has been going out since May, Iowa has yet to request American Rescue Plan money for the state’s small towns. According to the Treasury Department, the total allocation would be $221,737,821, with the first half delivered this year. Only 11 other states have yet to put in an invoice for their funding.…
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Who Will Lead Iowa Democrats’ Ticket In 2022?
Iowa Democrats are eager to set their sights on the future following yet another poor election showing in 2020, one that saw the party again fail to win the top statewide race on the ballot. To get that effort moving, they’ll need candidates to take on Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sen. Chuck Grassley for the…
