Stories

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver warned legislative leaders on Tuesday that he may veto a Democrat-supported bill passed last week that makes sweeping changes to state collective bargaining law if more public input isn’t sought.

Senate Democrats and Republicans ended a 24-hour stalemate at mid-day Friday and will delay a vote on sweeping legislation that could drastically alter Iowa’s collective bargaining laws. The agreement means the Senate will adjourn for the weekend holiday.

UPDATE: Friday, March 21, 9:02 a.m. Republican senators remained in caucus this morning with no immediate plans to return to the floor as part of their efforts to stall a vote on changes to state collective bargain laws until Monday. Republicans shared a delivery from Pizza Hut last night and then spent the evening watching [...]

Legislators in the House passed sweeping legislation Thursday morning that would broadly expand the list of items that would be subject to collective bargaining with public employees. The Senate is expected to take up the issue at 5 p.m., according to Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal.

The Iowa Senate on Thursday rejected proposed revisions to a statewide smoking ban approved by state representatives earlier this week, which means the final version of the legislation will be decided by a committee of state senators and representatives.

The Iowa House gutted significant sections of a statewide smoking ban Wednesday, passing amendments to exempt bars, restaurants and casinos that prohibit customers under the age of 21.

The Vision Iowa Board is expected to award as much as $9 million in state funds Wednesday to a Mason City group restoring a landmark hotel and bank designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

In its busiest week of the legislative session, lawmakers at the Iowa Statehouse advanced dozens of bills through committee, sparing them from the so-called funnel-week deadline and keeping hopes – or fears – of their passage alive.

Below the fold: a video interview with Rep. Donovan Olson, D-Boone.

A move to force a House resolution banning same sex marriage in the state out of committee and onto the floor for debate failed Tuesday morning by a 49-46 vote. Five members were absent and did not vote.

Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, used the rare procedural move because Democrats who control the House Judiciary [...]

Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, will use a rare procedural move Tuesday morning to force a debate on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in the state.

Rants said he will request a vote at the beginning of the day Tuesday to move the House resolution out of committee and onto the floor. A [...]