The 2012 session resulted in some significant successes for Iowans. We’ve once again balanced the state budget without raising taxes. And we’ve approved measures that will move this state forward, create jobs, grow our economy, increase student achievement and expand educational opportunity.
Senate stays focused in 2012: The 2012 Legislative Session review prepared by the Senate Democratic Research Staff.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal talked about progress being made in the Iowa Legislature on economic growth and jobs during a news conference on May 3.
Doing more to create jobs for Iowans and grow our state’s economy is still our top priority as the 2012 session winds down. The Iowa Senate is working to invest $62 million in job creation and economic growth. The Republican-controlled Iowa House, however, is only willing to invest about half that much. The Senate also [...]
On April 12 the Senate passed the Health and Human Services budget which allows seniors to stay in their home and protects at-risk kids in Iowa.
When it comes to investing in Iowa’s public universities, Democrats in the Iowa Senate and Governor Branstad are on the same page. Taking action now to keep college affordable is important to Iowa families and to Iowa’s economy.
Democratic leaders in the House and Senate held their weekly press conference at the Statehouse on Thursday March 29. Among the topics discussed were the legislative solution to the recent Supreme Court ruling invalidating Governor Branstad’s use of his line-item veto power and investing in education.
During Senate debate, Senators Bill Dotzler, Rob Hogg, and Steve Sodders respond to news that Governor Branstad’s veto of funding for local workforce offices was illegal, and to Branstad’s threats to close the remaining workforce offices.
Each year, high school juniors and seniors work as pages at the Iowa Capitol during the legislative session, which generally runs from January through April. This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn firsthand about government, work with elected officials, and see how ideas for a better Iowa become legislation.
In less than half an hour on Friday, bipartisan majorities in the Iowa Senate approved three budget deals worked out by House and Senate conference committees.
