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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Members of the Senate take part in a session within the senate chambers of the Iowa State Capitol Building on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Des Moines.

Bills targeting transgender athletes passes Iowa education committees

Lauren White, Politics Reporter February 17, 2022

Bills that would prevent transgender students from competing on the team of their gender identity passed out of the House and Senate Education committees this week.  House File 2309 requires K-12...

Members of the House congregate in the House Chamber after the opening of the 2022 Legislative Session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Both the House and Senate Republican leaders said the priority of this session is to return tax funds and address workforce conditions.

Iowa House passes 4 percent flat tax bill

Ryan Hansen, News Reporter February 16, 2022

The Iowa House of Representatives passed an income tax reform bill that looks to change the state income tax to a flat rate of 4 percent by 2026. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Lee Hein, R-Jones,...

Members of the Senate congregate in the Senate Chamber during the opening of the 2022 Legislative Session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Both the House and Senate Republican leaders said the priority of this session is to return tax funds and address workforce conditions.

Iowa legislators prioritize young Iowans in 2022

Lauren White, Politics Reporter February 6, 2022

Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Iowa agree that young people need more incentives to decide to settle down in the state. At the beginning of the 2022 legislative session, legislative leaders...

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, speaks during the opening of the 2022 Legislative Session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Konfrst addressed the workforce crisis in Iowa. “And honestly, let's imagine a young family deciding whether to move to Iowa for good jobs or some other state in the Midwest,” Konfrst said. “Will we create a state where they can find affordable childcare, where they have access to quality health care, and quality affordable housing?”

Iowa Democrats call for tax credit boosts in tax plan

Emily Delgado, Politics Reporter February 3, 2022

Iowa Democrats unveiled what they’re calling the Fair Tax Plan, which Democratic leaders say will aim to bring money back into the pockets of working class Iowans.  “As we've said several times,...

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivers the Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to end coronavirus public health proclamation

Caleb McCullough, Executive Editor February 3, 2022

Iowa will discontinue its coronavirus reporting website, as well as a website helping Iowans find vaccinations, and end its coronavirus public health disaster proclamation in mid-February, Iowa Gov....

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, stopped in Johnson County on Jan. 27, 2021 as part of her 99 County Tour.

Sen. Ernst addresses economic concerns of Iowans at family-owned koi farm

Meg Doster, Politics Reporter January 27, 2022

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, toured a family farm in Johnson County on her 14th stop of her 99 County Tour. The senator emphasized the importance of family businesses in the state, and addressed other...

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, R-Ankeny, speaks during the opening of the 2022 Legislative Session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Whitver addressed the issues of high taxes. “High taxes close schools and oppressive government chases residents to other states,” Whitver said. “People are voting with their feet and with their wallets. They're moving to low tax pro freedom states… We must improve our competitive advantage to attract new residents and create new career opportunities.”

Iowa Senate Republicans release flat tax proposal with road to elimination

Caleb McCullough, Executive Editor January 26, 2022

Iowa Senate Republicans are proposing cutting Iowa’s tax rates to a flat 3.6 percent over the next five years, scaling back the corporate tax rate, and eliminating the retirement income tax among...

Backpack of school child with face mask and sanitizer.

Appeals court partially reinstates mask mandate ban in Iowa K-12 schools, IC schools to keep mandate

Caleb McCullough, Executive Editor January 25, 2022

Not all Iowa K-12 schools may be allowed to mandate masks, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday, reversing a federal judge’s decision blocking a state law that prohibited mask mandates in schools....

Members of the House congregate in the House Chamber after the opening of the 2022 Legislative Session at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Both the House and Senate Republican leaders said the priority of this session is to return tax funds and address workforce conditions.

Educators react to legislative leader’s comments criticizing teachers

Emily Delgado, Politics Reporter January 23, 2022

Iowa City educators say rhetoric from Iowa lawmakers about material distributed in public schools is problematic and prevents constructive conversations on difficult topics. Following the opening...

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds enters the Iowa House Chamber for the Condition of the State Address on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. (Kelsey Kremer/The Des Moines Register)

Gov. Kim Reynolds raises over 10 times in campaign funds compared to Democrat Deidre DeJear

Meg Doster, News Reporter January 20, 2022

Some Iowa Republicans are outraising Democratic challengers as Election Day 2022 draws near.  Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, has raised $3.8 million in campaign funds, according to her campaign...

Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, speaks on the chamber floor on Jan. 11, 2022.

Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls tests positive for COVID-19

Natalie Dunlap, Politics Editor January 16, 2022

Iowa Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, has tested positive for COVID-19.  Wahls said he began experiencing a dry throat on Friday afternoon, and took a rapid test that came back...

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds waves to attendees and legislative members during the conclusion of the Condition of the State address at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. During the State address, Reynolds spoke about childcare, Iowa teachers, material taught in schools, unemployment, tax cuts, and more. Reynolds closed her speech with a quote from “Field of Dreams.” “James Earl Jones’ character tells Ray Kinsella, in a baritone voice I can’t imitate: ‘People will come Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom.’”

Reynolds budget proposal falls short of regents’ appropriation request

Rylee Wilson, Managing Editor January 11, 2022

Iowa’s three public universities would receive a 2.5 percent increase in state money under Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' budget proposal, though the increase comes short of what the state Board of Regents...