Show threadLauraRBelin1d ago
Iowa's State Objection Panel rejected a challenge to State Sen Mike Bousselot's petitions. He submitted 122 signatures; while 15 were from voters outside his district, the remainder were validated.
Bousselot will face Wes Enos on the GOP primary ballot in Iowa SD23. #ialegis
LauraRBelin4d ago
Who's up early?
For Sunshine Week, I looked at public and media access at the Iowa legislature, and what each chamber could learn from the other to make #ialegis more transparent. #SunshineWeek
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/22/how-open-are-the-iowa-house-and-senate-a-sunshine-week-review/
How open are the Iowa House and Senate? A Sunshine Week review

For Sunshine Week, Laura Belin examines public and media access at the Iowa legislature, and what each chamber could learn from the other.

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelin4d ago
Just posted the Iowa Capital Dispatch roundup of where things stand after the #Iowa legislature's second funnel deadline: #ialegis
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/21/where-bills-on-property-tax-pipelines-and-more-stand-after-second-funnel/
Where bills on property tax, pipelines and more stand after second funnel

Iowa Capital Dispatch reporters review the policy bills that did and did not advance past a legislative deadline on March 20.

Bleeding Heartland
LauraRBelin5d ago
On Thursday, Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh took reporter questions about a wide range of issue pending in #ialegis. My video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuV2NjiXiVg
Iowa Senate leader takes reporter Qs (March 19, 2026)

YouTube
LauraRBelin6d ago
Today after the Iowa House approved a bill raising taxes on health insurance companies to help fill a projected Medicaid shortfall, House Speaker Pat Grassley took Qs from reporters about that bill and other issues pending in #ialegis.
My video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynGY4_x-Zq8
Iowa House speaker takes reporter Qs (March 19, 2026)

YouTube
LauraRBelin6d ago
This afternoon the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the House sentencing bill creating modified "three strikes" system. But Republicans plan to amend bill before floor debate.
Dems voted no, explained their opposition during committee discussion: #ialegis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heYRe3bCpPE
Iowa senators debate "three strikes" sentencing bill

YouTube
LauraRBelin6d ago
This morning Democrats in the Iowa House and Senate spoke to reporters about several pending issues in #ialegis.
(Tomorrow's a major legislative deadline for policy bills not related to taxes or spending)
My video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bi5YThqoBs
Top Iowa Democrats take reporter Qs (March 19, 2026)

YouTube
LauraRBelinMar 18
On Tuesday morning an Iowa Senate subcommittee advanced a Republican bill that would prohibit the governor from regulating churches during an emergency.
State Sen Ken Rozenboom said he plans to amend the bill to remove language related to vaccinations. #ialegis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_x4tkvAk6Y
Iowa Senate subcommittee considers bill limiting governor's emergency powers

YouTube
LauraRBelinMar 13
I interviewed Michael Hurley, government affairs counsel for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), about three of Iowa's proposed higher education bills that threaten academic freedom. #Iowa #highered #ialegis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=727zbOka-EQ
FIRE attorney on Iowa's overreaching higher ed bills

YouTube
LauraRBelinMar 10
Readers: "Sad."
"These are not serious people."
"What strikes me most is that three medical professionals — a pharmacist, a dentist, and a nurse — voted to keep ivermectin language in the bill. These are people who took oaths to do no harm." #ialegis
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/08/only-six-iowa-house-republicans-voted-against-over-the-counter-ivermectin/
Only six Iowa House Republicans voted against over-the-counter ivermectin

Laura Belin: The Iowa House debate about ivermectin illustrated how conspiracy theories now drive the mainstream Republican agenda.

Bleeding Heartland