Under the Golden Dome

Like with the last Iowa General Assembly, Republicans control the House, Senate, and the governor’s office. But this session begins without a revenue shortfall. It also begins in the first few weeks of a new Iowa tax code passed by the legislature last year.

The legislature went 18 days past the planned 100 when it finally adjourned on May 5th. The biggest reason for the delay is because House and Senate Republicans took a long time to find agreement on a new tax plan. It will gradually phase in tax reductions over a six year period. The final reductions in taxes will happen in 2023 and 2024 if economic triggers are met. In 2019, tax collections will be reduced by $100 million, while it is estimated $66 million will come in from new taxes on digital

Every seat in the House and half in the Senate are up for reelection later this year. Twenty-two legislators are choosing not to come back. In the final days of a general assembly, many give "retirement" speeches on the floor. This week Wally Horn, Bob Dvorsky, Mark Chelgren, and Rick Bertrand are honored with Senate resolutions. In the House, those leaving aren't presented with resolutions, but they are given the floor to address their colleagues. Clel Baudler is the only representative to do

There are only a few days before per diems stop for legislators. It's the goal for the session to end by the 100th day -- April 17th -- but with two different tax codes in the works and no fiscal year 2019 budget, it's likely the session will continue longer. This week a public hearing on a House tax code received praise and pushback from around three dozen Iowans. Support ranges from it stimulates the economy to it adds "gravy on our taters." This is a reference to the federal tax breaks that

At this point, it's common to hear bills being enrolled. This means both chambers have approved a bill and it awaits the governor to sign it in to law or veto. Because the chambers are controlled by the same party as the governor, vetos are highly unlikely. One of the bills awaiting the governor deals with electronic eavesdropping. It passed the House then the Senate where it was amended. As it returns to the House, suddenly Democrats have privacy concerns. Surveillance devices recording video

On Monday, Gov. Kim Reynolds talks about firing the Director of Iowa Finance Authority, Dave Jamison. She says he was terminated for credible allegations of sexual harassment. She reiterates her zero tolerance policy, but reveals very little about the allegations due to privacy concerns for the victims. In November, Reynolds said a Senate Republican report about past sexual harassment should reveal additional information about past claims while protecting personal information. Reporters ask the

Last year Rep. Matt Windschitl authored a bill greatly expanding gun rights in Iowa. It includes making it legal to carry a concealed pistol in the Capitol with a permit, and a stand your ground provision allowing people to use deadly force if they feel threatened. This year he authored a resolution to add to the state constitution an amendment that would make it more challenging to pass gun restrictions in the future. He floor-managed a three hour debate in the House, where it passed. It also

Typically, Monday mornings at the Capitol aren't the most active day, but nothing was typical about last Monday morning. Around 10 a.m. a post from a Democratic-leaning blog, Iowa Starting Line, contained pictures and a video of Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix in a Des Moines bar. He is sitting close to a woman lobbyist and at one point it looks like they briefly kiss. Hours later, Sen. Dix resigned from the senate. Jack Whitver was elected as the new minority leader and Charles Schneider as the

As President Trump imposes larger tariffs for metal, he reaffirms his opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Many agricultural products from Iowa go to Canada and Mexico. As Trump repeatedly says he's willing to start a "trade war", Gov. Reynolds is worried about a backlash. The governor says the president's actions will have unintended consequences for Iowa farmers and manufacturers. However, she does support making some changes to NAFTA. Getting an individual healthcare plan in

Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Jerry Foxhoven as the director of the Department of Human Resources in June. All of the governor's appointments must be confirmed by the Senate. These appointments first must pass a Senate committee, and when Foxhoven's appointment came up for a vote all Democrats voted against. It passed the committee, but to be confirmed Foxhoven must be voted by two-thirds of the full Senate body. They'll probably vote sometime in April. Most of the governor's appointments are