2026 Iowa Legislative Session Begins
The Iowa Legislature started its 100-day session on January 12, 2026, welcoming four new legislators after a record-breaking year of special elections. Rep. Wendy Larson (replacing Mike Sexton), Sen. Catelin Drey (replacing Rocky DeWitt), and Sen. Renee Hardman (replacing Claire Celsi) were all elected after the 2025 legislative session adjourned. The session also started off…
Get Ready for 2026
The Iowa Legislature will reconvene on Monday, January 12 for a short 100-day session. Lawmakers will face new challenges with a budget shortfall that requires use of the Taxpayer Relief Fund, a Medicaid shortfall that may prompt more hurdles for people to access or retain services, poor water quality and high cancer rates that are…
Governor Reynolds Creates Nuclear Power Task Force
Governor Reynolds signs Executive Order 17 establishing Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force Governor Kim Reynolds today (January 5, 2026) signed an executive order establishing the Iowa Nuclear Energy Task Force to advise her, the General Assembly, and relevant state agencies on the development and advancement of nuclear energy technologies and infrastructure in the state. “Nuclear…
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Powerpoint for Legislative Resource Training
The League of Women Voters of Story County/Ames is hosting a hands-on training to help members find legislative information using online resources. The training will be taped and available here at a later date, but you can find some basics in our slide deck below. Ames LWVIA Bill Tracking & More 2025Download
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Water Quality: Axios Digs Deep
Today (September 9), Axios did a deep dive on central Iowa’s nitrate problem, comparing outcomes to neighboring state Minnesota, which has much stronger water quality laws. You can read the entire article here. Here are the highlights: Iowa’s nitrate levels regularly exceed 5 mg/L for decades; Minnsota’s average is at or below 3 mg/L. Federal…
2026 Musical Chairs
Earlier this month, the Iowa House Republicans elected a new majority leader (Rep. Bobby Kaufmann). He replaces Rep. Matt Windschitl, who is stepping down from his leadership role in order to run for Congress in Iowa’s 4th District. That seat opens up after the announcement that US Rep. Randy Feenstra will run for Governor. This…