During Gov. Kim Reynolds' weekly press conference, she talks about the shooting in a Florida high school that killed 17 people. She reintroduces a Department of Homeland Security public campaign "If You Something, Say Something" as a result of the murders in Florida. Because the crime was committed with a gun, she is asked questions about what firearm control or expansion she supports in the Iowa legislature. She says she doesn't want to comment right now on potential bills until they have

This is the final week for most bills to pass a committee and become eligible for debate in a chamber. It's known as "funnel week." Exceptions are for bills in appropriations, ways and means, government oversight, and administrative rules, which is why most budget bills are approved at the end of a session. On this show, we focus on two bills. One that passed and one that didn't pass through the senate judiciary committee. Both are among the most controversial bills that come before lawmakers,

The human brain has opioid receptors that process pain and pleasure. An opioid drug like morphine, oxycodone, or Percocet is often prescribed to alleviate physical pain from a surgery or physical injury. Opioids are addictive. In 2017, about 200 people died in Iowa from an opioid drug overdose. On this show, two bills to help curb opioid drug abuse are moved out of subcommittees. One will require doctors and pharmacies to use an electronic prescription system. There is concern some areas of the

Dozens of subcommittees occupy a lot of space and time at the Capitol at this point during the session. These three panel members are a more informal discussion about a bill to determine what needs to be modified, removed or added. Often members of the public offer their input during these meetings. In this program we visit the senate lounge, where two subcommittee meetings are happening a few feet from each other. We focus on the State Government subcommittee’s discussion about a bill that

A water quality bill with a long history in both chambers passes and will be the first law Governor Reynolds signs. It started in 2016 during the last general assembly. It passed in the house, but did not get debated in the senate. The general assembly ended, killing the bill. When the senate switched to all Republican for this general assembly starting in 2017, they took up a bill with very similar language and passed it. The house, didn’t like it so Rep. Chip Baltimore wrote an amendment that

The beginning of the session is a good opportunity for groups to present their recommendations to lawmakers. On Wednesday morning, veterans’ organizations came to the Capitol for that purpose. Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs chair, Dan Gannon, talks with us about three of them: a bill to mandate the POW / MIA flag be flown at state buildings on designated holidays, instill Americanism and Patriotism in grades K - 12, and encourage the judicial branch to expand Veteran’s Treatment Courts.

The beginning of the session is a good opportunity for groups to present their recommendations to lawmakers. On Wednesday morning, veterans’ organizations came to the Capitol for that purpose. Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs chair, Dan Gannon, talks with us about three of them: a bill to mandate the POW / MIA flag be flown at state buildings on designated holidays, instill Americanism and Patriotism in grades K - 12, and encourage the judicial branch to expand Veteran’s Treatment Courts.

This is the beginning of the 2018 session where legislative leaders lay out their intentions. During the opening week, party leaders speak about their goals. Republican praise their work from last year and intend to support the governor’s new tax code for Iowa. Only a few details are revealed about a tax code changes, and the governor says the process may take several years. The Republicans want to add more skills to Iowa’s workforce through post high school education, and Democrats agree.

This is the beginning of the 2018 session where legislative leaders lay out their intentions. During the opening week, party leaders speak about their goals. Republican praise their work from last year and intend to support the governor’s new tax code for Iowa. Only a few details are revealed about a tax code changes, and the governor says the process may take several years. The Republicans want to add more skills to Iowa’s workforce through post high school education, and Democrats agree.

The first half of the 87th General Assembly ends Saturday morning, April 22nd, at 7:15. The chambers are mostly silent as amendments and budget bills are finalized in committees. In the middle of the night, House leaders give their sine die speeches a few hours before adjournment. By daybreak, debate begins for the last bills of the session. One expands medical marijuana and the other is the standing appropriations budget bill. On the floor, one of the last items of the budget to be criticized