‘Oversight’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 8th, 2010
Iowa Governor Chet Culver today signed a bill that will impose new restrictions on campaign advertisements. The law will keep anonymous campaign advertisements paid for by big corporations, foreign businesses and shadow organizations, out of Iowa voters’ mailboxes and airwaves.
The legislation comes after Citizens United v. FEC, a U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed corporate money in Iowa campaigns. For the first time in modern campaigns, big corporations will be allowed to spend money from their vast corporate treasuries in connection with Iowa elections. It will require any organization that makes independent expenditures to file a report with the board once their total expenditures reach $750. Additionally, each organization’s filing will need to disclose whether or not the organization is advocating for or against a particular candidate or ballot issue.
Tags: campaign reform, Chet Culver, restricting special interest
Category Oversight |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 22nd, 2010
In an effort to protect victims of domestic violence, Governor Culver signed a bill to prevent persons who are the subject of a protective order or convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun.
Senate File 2357, which was requested by Iowa judges and law enforcement officials, puts federal law into the Iowa code to make it easier for Iowa officials to enforce the law.
Category Oversight |
Author: admin Published: June 11th, 2009
Fiscal responsibility and balancing the state budget were the top priorities of the Legislative Council that met today at the State Capitol in Des Moines.
“Just as families are forced to tighten their belts, state government and the Legislature are no different. We will do our part by cutting over 10% from the Legislature’s budget next year,” said House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque, who noted that savings include a pay freeze for all legislative employees, reducing travel budgets, and cutting back next year’s legislative session by 10 days.
“We know we are faced with another difficult budget next year so we’ve approved a State Government Reorganization Commission to improve efficiency, eliminate duplication, reduce costs and modernize how government works,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines. “We look forward to working with Governor Culver and the executive branch to find ideas that will not only save money for taxpayers, but also improve service to Iowans.”
(more…)
Tags: Budget, Cost Saving, Democrats, House, Iowa, Legislative Council
Category Budget, Oversight |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 6th, 2009
State Representative Vicki Lensing, C0-Chair of the Government Oversight Committee, joined Iowa Governor Chet Culver at a news conference today to outline the first steps the Legislature will take to prevent another abuse case like Henry’s Turkey Service in Atalissa.
Governor Culver convened a task force to report back to him by April 1, but the task force has already suggested quick action on two bills under consideration by the Legislature. Senate File 96 would give subpoena power to the Iowa Civil Rights Commission to investigate unfair or discriminatory practices in housing and unemployment. Senate File 137 makes wage discrimination against any employee, including those with disabilities, an unfair employment practice. (more…)
Tags: Atalissa, Atalissa Bunkhouse, Bunkhouse, disabilities, Henry's Turkey Service, Lensing
Category Jobs & Economy, Oversight |
Author: admin Published: February 17th, 2009
- Photo by Des Moines Register
Members of the House Oversight Committee questioned state agencies regarding the deplorable conditions at an Atalissa “bunkhouse” for employees at a West Liberty turkey processing plant. State Representative Kurt Swaim of Bloomfield is pictured at the left. The story by the Des Moines Register can be found here.
Tags: Atalissa, Henry's Turkey Service, Oversight, Turkey
Category Oversight |
