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The Legislative Report is a weekly summary during session of legislative
issues and committee actions.
Week 15 – April 23, 2008
• Bipartisan cooperation is highlight of 2008 session
• Boosting educational opportunities, property tax relief
• Expanding quality-of-life efforts for Iowa communities
• Making neighborhoods safer by solving ‘cold cases’
• Question of the week: What’s the real purpose of campaign funds?
Committee Reports:
Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Government Oversight,
Judiciary, Natural Resources & Environment, State Government, Veterans
Affairs, Ways & Means
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Week 14 – April 16, 2008
· Good news for seniors and the state budget
· Protecting Iowa workers
· Shining a light on government
· Funding for safe roads and bridges passes
· Senate restores funding to off-road enthusiasts
· Protecting consumers from new insurance scam
· How much is in Iowa’s rainy day funds, and what’s the money used for?
Committee Reports:
Agriculture, Appropriations, Commerce, Government Oversight,
Judiciary, Natural Resources & Environment, Rules & Administration, State
Government, Veterans Affairs, Ways & Means
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Week 13 – April 9, 2008
• Big step toward insuring all Iowa kids
• Final action to protect the health of Iowa workers
• Iowa’s economy is growing
• Avoiding family conflict over funerals and burials
• Iowa is best in Midwest for children
• Senate targets mortgage scammers
• Is there help for Iowans struggling with home mortgages?
Committee Reports:
Appropriations, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Government Oversight, Human Resources,
Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations, Natural Resources &
Environment, Rules & Administration, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Ways &
Means
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Week 12 – April 2, 2008
• Fighting illegal immigration by protecting Iowa workers
• New Consumer Insurance Advocate Office will protect Iowa families
• Helping Law Enforcement keep communities safe
• Senate action stops utility shut offs targeting low-income Iowans
• Fighting for taxpayer dollars
• Children at risk from novelty lighters
• Question of the week: How can the new HPV vaccination help Iowans?
Committee Reports: Agriculture,
Appropriations, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Government Oversight, Human Resources,
Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations, Local Government, Natural Resources &
Environment, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Ways &
Means
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Week 11 – Mar. 26, 2008
· Where does Iowa rank?
· Curb teen drinking by holding hosts accountable
· More sunshine on campaign spending
· Opening up public employee negotiations
· Better health care through “Medical Homes”
Committee Reports: Agriculture,
Appropriations, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Government Oversight, Human Resources,
Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations, Natural Resources &
Environment, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Ways &
Means
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Week 10 – Mar. 19, 2008
• Our goal must be health care for all children
• Protecting Iowans from identity theft
• Preparing Iowa workers for high-quality jobs
• Senate passes Healthy Kids Act
• Improving Iowa’s presidential caucuses
• Needless busywork stopped
• Question of the Week: How does Iowa encourage entrepreneurs?
Committee Reports: Agriculture,
Appropriations, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Human Resources,
Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations, Local Government, Natural Resources &
Environment, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Ways &
Means
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Week 9 – Mar. 12, 2008
• Ensuring clean and fair elections
• Legislature creates new funding for Veterans Trust
• Bipartisan Senate puts local schools on more secure financial footing
• Road safety initiative moves forward
• Easier consumer access to higher blends of ethanol
• Consumer protection initiative bans gift-card expirations dates and fees
• What’s the story on this year’s federal tax rebate?
Committee Reports: Agriculture,
Appropriations, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Human Resources,
Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations, Local Government, Natural Resources &
Environment, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Ways &
Means
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Week 8 – Mar. 5, 2008
• Tough budget builds solid foundation for future
• Strengthening consumer protections to prevent identity theft
• Iowa partners with federal government to support Veterans Home
• Improving safety through graduated driving privileges
• Scott County parents make progress in fight against underage drinking
• New initiative is designed to ensure healthier children
• How can I learn about specific bills in the Legislature?
Committee Reports: Agriculture,
Appropriations, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Human Resources,
Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations, Local Government, Natural Resources &
Environment, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Ways &
Means
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Week 7 – Feb. 27, 2008 •
Senate moves to protect the health of Iowa workers
• Senate takes another step to raise student achievement
• Housing stimulates the economy
• Panel votes to help victims of domestic violence
• Recognizing generous, long-lasting gifts to the public
• How are we keeping Iowa’s children safe from sexual predators?
Committee Reports:
Agriculture, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Human Resources,
Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations, Local Government, Natural Resources &
Environment, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs
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Week 6 – Feb. 20, 2008
• Senate committee takes steps to raise student achievement
• Incentives aimed at attracting good-paying jobs, investment in Iowa
• Protecting parental rights of our service members
• Guard leader thanks Legislature for its support
• Improving Iowa’s water quality through local efforts
• Study finds urgent need to fix Iowa’s troubled bridges
• Farmers teach conservation to other farmers
• Iowa’s wine & beer industry continues to grow
• Did raising the tobacco tax really encourage people to quit smoking?
Committee Reports:
Agriculture, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education,
Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations,
Natural Resources & Environment, State Government, and Ways & Means
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Week 5 – Feb. 13, 2008
• Legislature makes progress on responsible, pro-growth
budget
• Military leave job re-employment signed into law
• Legislation expands services, funding for Iowa veterans
• Legislature seeks accountability on tax credit programs
• GenerationIowa.com: One-stop site for young Iowans
• Iowa receives extension for Real ID requirements
• Question of the Week: What is the state doing to help local students
succeed?
Committee Reports:
Agriculture, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education,
Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor & Business Relations, Local Government,
Natural Resources & Environment, State Government, Transportation, Veterans
Affairs, and Ways & Means
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Week 4: Feb. 8, 2008
• Health care for all—starting with Iowa’s children
• Standing up for Iowa families by boosting our economy
• College initiative produces savings for Iowans
• Committee moves to boost voter turnout
• Tax checkoffs improve Iowa’s quality-of-life
• Question of the week: energy efficiency
Committee Reports:
Commerce, Education, Human Resources, State Government,
Veterans Affairs, Ways & Means
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Week 3: January 30, 2008
• Crackdown on corporate bosses who hire undocumented workers
• Legislature focuses on good jobs, tax benefits
• More Iowans join effort to make our state energy independent
• Iowa Power Fund accepting applications
• Farm-to-School aims at improving student nutrition
• Panel seeks increased funding for water quality, recreational opportunity
• Beware of costly Rapid Tax-Refund Loans
• Question of the week: hawk-i
Committee Reports:
Agriculture, Human Resources, Local Government,
State
Government
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Week 2: January 23, 2008
• Senate takes another step to provide property tax relief to
Iowans
• Community colleges are key to Iowa’s future workforce
• Presentation highlights Iowa’s place as leader in bio-economy
• Successful Families Caucus sets bipartisan priorities
• College savers to get bigger tax break in 2008
• Free e-filing available to Iowa taxpayers
Committee Reports:
Appropriations, Judiciary, State Government
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Week 1: January 16, 2008
• Legislature will keep commitments
• Governor vows to continue progress for working Iowans
• Chief Justice focuses on Iowa children
Committee Reports:
Appropriations
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