Highlights in this edition: 

• Revenue Estimating Conference Finds Iowa in "Strong Financial Position" 
  • The state continues to see wage growth and increased consumer spending in the economy 
• Gov. Reynolds, Iowa Department of Education invest $3.5 million to bolster classroom instruction while reading at home 
  • The book packs are being provided to all public and accredited nonpublic elementary schools to send home with nearly 38,000 first-grade students
• Iowa Advances Maternal Health Care
  • Over the last two years the legislature has annually appropriated $560,000 to reimburse teaching hospitals for a resident in obstetrics practice, and these fellows are required to serve in a rural or underserved area of the state for five years after obstetric fellowship training
• School Security/Safety Task Force
  • Members are recommending multiple safety upgrades to new and existing school buildings

Click here to read the entire newsletter.