Highlights in this edition:

• General Fund Revenue Higher Through First Eight Months of Fiscal Year
  • Receipts are outpacing the December revenue estimate
• Department of Education Presents to Education Budget Subcommittee
  • The Board of Educational Examiners needs more investigators to deal with a skyrocketing caseload
• House Republicans Advance Religious Freedom Throughout the State
  • Protecting religious freedom should be noncontroversial but the contempt shown for those who want religious freedom was unmistakable during debate
• Childcare Center Property Tax Cut Will Spur Availability
  • The bill cuts property taxes for commercial childcare centers to spur growth in the availability and affordability of childcare in Iowa

Highlights in this edition:

• House Republicans Approve Comprehensive Education Standards Review
  • Scores have fallen since the last comprehensive review in 2007
• House Republicans Approve Detailed History and Civics Standards for K-12
  • Iowa received a “D” in civics standards and an “F” in U.S. History standards
• House Tightens Foreign Ownership of Farmland Law
  • Expands the registration requirements for nonresident ownership to include intermediaries and parent corporations
• Already Filed Your Iowa Tax Return? Where is your Refund?
  • Go to tax.iowa.gov/wheres-my-refund to check the status

Highlights in this edition:

• A Brief History of the Taxpayer Relief Fund
  • The Taxpayer Relief Fund now has $3.6772 billion in its account
• In Person and Absentee ID Requirements Should Match
  • HF 2610 requires that the voter sign an affidavit envelope and affix their driver’s license number or voter identification number before placing it in a secrecy envelope
• House Bill Helps Religious Groups Aid Local Communities
  • This is another tool for local governments to further utilize public dollars to help those in their communities who need assistance
• Iowa Rated Best State to Drive In
  • Iowa has one of the lowest rush-hour traffic congestion rates in the country and has commutes at less than 20 minutes on average

Highlights in this edition:

• House Education Committee Passes K-12 Education Standards Review
  • The Iowa Department of Education is directed to conduct a comprehensive review of the graduation requirements, core curriculum, core content standards, and education standards
• Iowa’s Civics and U.S. History Standards Too Vague, Lack Specifics
  • Iowa received a “D” in civics standards and an “F” in U.S. History standards
• House Labor and Workforce Committee Passes Work-Based Learning Bill
  • The bill gives students and schools more flexibility on how they administer the program and how credits fit in with schedules
• School Security Bill Protects Kids, Gives Options to School Districts
  • The legislation helps schools pay for school resource officers and creates a professional weapons permit and with extensive training for school employees
• State Government Approves Bill on First Responders
  • The bill ensures that all types of cancer are covered for Iowa’s firefighters

Highlights in this edition:

• January Revenue Comes in Strong
  • Through the first seven months of the fiscal year, net General Fund receipts are 2.1 percent higher than in Fiscal Year 2023
• House Education Committee Passes Bill to Protect Students and Teachers against Retaliation
  • This bill protects teachers and students from being bullied into compelled speech
• Regulating Temp Staffing Agencies in Health Care
  • It is estimated HF 2199 will save Iowa Medicaid between $7.5 million and $12.5 million
• HHS Committee Advances Children’s Mental Health Legislation
  • HSB 502 provides for an enhanced rate for psychiatric medical institutions for children with specialized needs

Highlights in this edition:

• Major Maintenance List Grows to $474 Million according to DAS
  • The State Historical Building has $75.5 million of work
• Democrats Unanimously Oppose Maternity Home Legislation
  • A maternity group home is a community-based residential home that provides room and board, personal care, supervision, training, support and education in a family environment for women who are pregnant or have given birth in the last two years
• Certified Enrollment for 2023-24 Holds Steady; 16,757 ESA Participants Enrolled at Iowa Accredited Nonpublic Schools
  • Public school district certified enrollment was 483,699, down only one-half percent
• Bills Advance on Child Care, Maternal Health, and Parent Access to Medical Records
  • House File 2064 requires health care providers to give parents access to their children’s health care information