IN THE NEWS...(Arranged newest to oldest)

Iowa Senate passes bill to create new preschool grants, but some providers worry about the funding shift: Iowa Senate passes bill to create new preschool grants, but some providers worry about the funding shift | Iowa Public Radio

Lawmakers pass bill creating residency requirement for UI med school enrollment: Lawmakers pass bill creating residency requirement for UI med school enrollment | Iowa Capital Dispatch

Bill jeopardizes early childhood partnerships: Bill jeopardizes early childhood partnerships | The Gazette

Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Reynolds signs natural disaster relief legislation: Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Reynolds signs natural disaster relief legislation | The Gazette

Bill jeopardizes early childhood partnerships: Bill jeopardizes early childhood partnerships | The Gazette

See photos as lawmakers debate K-12 funding bill HF 319 on House floor: See photos as lawmakers debate K-12 funding bill HF 319 on House floor | Des Moines Register

Iowa House panel advances bill to limit SNAP-eligible foods to healthy options: Iowa House panel advances bill to limit SNAP-eligible foods to healthy options | SW Iowa News

Iowa House bill would set limits on SNAP purchases: Iowa House bill would set limits on SNAP purchases | Radio Iowa

Iowa House panel advances bill to limit SNAP-eligible foods to healthy options: Iowa House panel advances bill to limit SNAP-eligible foods to healthy options | KCRG

Iowa House panel advances bill to limit SNAP-eligible foods to healthy options: Iowa House panel advances bill to limit SNAP-eligible foods to healthy options | Iowa Capitol Dispatch

Iowa bill creating 'Don't Tread on Me' license plate advances: Iowa bill creating 'Don't Tread on Me' license plate advances | The Gazette

Different paths to tackling child care charted by Iowa Democrats, Republicans: Different paths to tackling child care charted by Iowa Democrats, Republicans | The Gazette

How Gov. Kim Reynolds plans to tackle child care access in Iowa: How Gov. Kim Reynolds plans to tackle child care access in Iowa | The Gazette

Public school funding bill passes through House with 2.25% per-pupil increase: Public school funding bill passes through House with 2.25% per-pupil increase | WQAD 8

Childcare providers, advocates meet with lawmakers to discuss childcare crisis: Childcare providers, advocates meet with lawmakers to discuss childcare crisis | Who 13 News

Iowa bill would require schools, child care facilities to disclose vaccine exemption info to families: Iowa bill would require schools, child care facilities to disclose vaccine exemption info to families | Des Moines Register

Bill would allow unsupervised 16-year-olds to provide ‘flex care’ for infants: Bill would allow unsupervised 16-year-olds to provide ‘flex care’ for infants | Iowa Capital Dispatch (aol.com)

Bill would allow unsupervised 16-year-olds to provide ‘flex care’ for infants: Bill would allow unsupervised 16-year-olds to provide ‘flex care’ for infants | Iowa Capital Dispatch

Early childhood learning vital to adult success: Early childhood learning vital to adult success | The Gazette

Women elected to Iowa House hits lowest number since 2014: Women elected to Iowa House hits lowest number since 2014 | Bleeding Heartland

2 percent? A little more? Iowa lawmakers weigh proposals for K-12 school funding increase: 2 percent? A little more? Iowa lawmakers weigh proposals for K-12 school funding increase | The Gazette

Cedar Rapids school district advocates for early childhood education, meets with state lawmakers: Cedar Rapids school district advocates for early childhood education, meets with state lawmakers | KCRG

Linn County Attorney pushing lawmakers to make ‘doxxing’ easier to prosecute in Iowa: Linn County Attorney pushing lawmakers to make ‘doxxing’ easier to prosecute in Iowa | The Gazette

Fully funding 4-year-old preschool top legislative priority of Cedar Rapids schools: Fully funding 4-year-old preschool top legislative priority of Cedar Rapids schools | The Gazette

Candidates should attend voter forums: Candidates should attend voter forums | The Gazette

Tracy Ehlert & Barclay Woerner running for Iowa House District in portion of Cedar Rapids: Tracy Ehlert & Barclay Woerner running for Iowa House District in portion of Cedar Rapids | cbs2iowa

Focus on kitchen table issues: Focus on kitchen table issues | The Gazette

Tracy Ehlert faces challenger Barclay Woerner in Iowa House District 79 race: Tracy Ehlert faces challenger Barclay Woerner in Iowa House District 79 race | The Gazette

Cedar Rapids casino could bring big economic benefits, state lawmakers say: Cedar Rapids casino could bring big economic benefits, state lawmakers say | Iowa's News Now (cbs2iowa.com)

Government Notes: Linn County, Marion, local lawmakers back Cedar Rapids casino: Government Notes: Linn County, Marion, local lawmakers back Cedar Rapids casino | The Gazette

Linn County Republicans, state party disagree on Iowa House nominee: Linn County Republicans, state party disagree on Iowa House nominee | The Gazette

Our endorsements for the Iowa Legislature: Our endorsements for the Iowa Legislature | The Gazette

DEI report looks to eliminate functions not essential to comply with laws or accreditation at IA universities: DEI report looks to eliminate functions not essential to comply with laws or accreditation | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com) 

Government Notes-State Rep. Tracy Ehlert visits White House: Government Notes: Cedar Rapids Public Library receives accreditation | The Gazette 

Iowa state and congressional lawmakers work to solve child-care accessibility and affordability: Iowa state and congressional lawmakers work to solve childcare accessibility and affordability | KGAN (cbs2iowa.com)  

Iowa lawmakers look to improve access to affordable child care: Iowa lawmakers look to improve access to affordable child care | The Gazette  

Group warns bill jeopardizes food, health care assistance for thousands of Iowans: Groups warn bill jeopardizes food, health care assistance for thousands of Iowans | The Gazette  

House GOP look to "dismantle" Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in higher education: https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/house-gop-look-to-dismantle-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-programs-in-higher-education

Senate panel raises K-12 state aid proposal to 3%, meeting House plan: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/02/01/senate-panel-raises-k-12-state-aid-proposal-to-3-meeting-house-plan/

New GOP bill: school districts would need to display course materials and library books:

https://siouxlandnews.com/newsletter-daily/new-gop-bill-school-districts-would-need-to-display-course-materials-and-library-books

Bill would pare frequency of concussion training for Iowa coaches: https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/bill-would-pare-frequency-of-concussion-training-for-iowa-coaches/

Reynolds signs law creating tax-funded accounts, expanding school choice in Iowa:https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2023-01-24/iowa-legislature-school-choice-education-savings-accounts-private-school-vouchers

Here's how each Iowa lawmaker voted on Gov. Kim Reynolds' private school tuition aid bill: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/heres-how-each-iowa-lawmaker-voted-on-gov-kim-reynolds-private-school-tuition-aid-bill/

Corridor economic groups push solutions to immigration, child care, housing in 2023: www.thegazette.com/government-politics/corridor-economic-groups-push-solutions-to-immigration-child-care-housing-in-2023/  

Iowans React To State Losing Out On Millions In Daycare Funding: https: www. iowastartingline.com/2022/11/16/iowans-react-to-state-losing-out-on-millions-in-daycare-funding/ 

The Best And Worst Candidates For Iowa Workers:  https:www.iowastartingline.com/2022/11/02/the-best-and-worst-candidates-for-iowa-workers/

Pit bull attacks prompt renewed debate: Are certain breeds dangerous, or just certain dogs: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2022/09/15/should-pit-bulls-be-restricted-or-banned/10359388002/

Government : Pit Bulls-Open Letter to Benton County Supervisors, Keystone Mayor and Lawmakers: www.vintontoday.com/articles/Government/article1032375.html 

Over 750 kids get week off from Cedar Rapids summer school because of cybersecurity breach: https://www.thegazette.com/k/over-750-kids-get-week-off-from-cedar-rapids-summer-school-because-of-cybersecurity-breach/

Photos: Iowa Democrats vs. Republicans in friendly slow-pitch softball fundraiser: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/picture-gallery/news/politics/2022/05/02/iowa-legislative-slow-pitch-softball-game-for-charity-photos-principal-park-des-moines/9613153002/

Iowa Republicans ditch waiting period for unemployment, pass other priority bills: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/04/26/iowa-republicans-ditch-waiting-period-for-unemployment-pass-other-priority-bills/

16-year-olds could work alone in child care centers under bill passed by Iowa lawmakers: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/26/iowa-lawmakers-send-kim-reynolds-bill-loosening-child-care-regulations-16-year-olds-ratios/9540354002/

Low Wages For Workers Are A Big Reason for Iowa’s Child-Care Struggles: https://iowastartingline.com/2022/04/11/low-wages-for-workers-are-a-big-reason-for-iowas-child-care-struggles/

House passes controversial school ‘transparency’ and budget bills: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/03/29/house-passes-controversial-school-transparency-and-budget-bills/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=5930f04a-cb59-41eb-8417-fb40112e8491

House advances governor’s education transparency proposal, relaxes some requirements: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/house-advances-governors-education-transparency-proposal-relaxes-some-requirements/

Iowa House panel advances Kim Reynolds’ scholarship plan for private school students: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-house-panel-advances-kim-reynolds-scholarship-plan-for-private-school-students/ 

Child care bill could increase costs for families on childcare assistance: https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/new-bill-could-increase-costs-for-families-on-childcare-assistance 

Childcare, flat tax, bottle bill big talk of forum: https://www.eastcentraliowanews.com/mvlsun/childcare-flat-tax-bottle-bill-big-talk-of-forum/article_65e54ad2-ae8b-5295-a050-5ef874a0e315.html

Iowa House passes bills aimed at improving child care access: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2022-03-03/iowa-house-passes-bills-aimed-at-improving-child-care-access

Iowa bill would require all books and classroom materials to be published: https://www.kcrg.com/2022/03/03/iowa-bill-would-require-all-books-classroom-materials-be-published/

Capitol Notebook: House OKs negotiating child care rates: https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/capitol-notebook-house-oks-negotiating-child-care-rates/article_e60c3485-16d0-541b-9fe8-56b6022aa42d.html

Iowa's Child Care Debate Has Big Lessons For The Rest Of The Country: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/iowa-child-care-crisis-lessons-country_n_61fd92fbe4b05004242d45b3

Bill Would Give School Wi-Fi Systems Authority To Block Certain Social Media Sites: https://kiwaradio.com/local-news/bill-would-give-school-wi-fi-systems-authority-to-block-certain-social-media-sites/

 Bill gives schools blocking Wi-Fi access to social media some legal ‘cover’: https://www.radioiowa.com/2022/01/27/bill-gives-schools-blocking-wi-fi-access-to-social-media-some-legal-cover/

 House bill proposes social media limits in schools: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/house-bill-proposes-social-media-limits-in-schools/   

Bill would allow 16-year-olds to provide child care without supervision: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/briefs/bill-would-allow-16-year-olds-to-provide-child-care-without-supervision/  

State representative says 'disrespect' threatens the future of education in Iowa: https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/state-representative-says-disrespect-threatens-the-future-of-education-in-iowa 

As Iowa faces a child care shortage, Republicans think looser regulation is part of the solution: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2022/01/21/child-care-shortage-iowa-republicans-propose-easing-regulations-cost-families-burnout-legislature/6592183001/

House Dems Look to Establish ‘Right to Read’ in Iowa, Prohibit Lawmakers Banning Books: https://iowastartingline.com/2022/01/21/house-dems-look-to-establish-right-to-read-in-iowa-prohibit-lawmakers-banning-books/  

Right to Read Constitutional Amendment: https://www.sierraclub.org/iowa/blog/2022/01/right-read-constitutional-amendment

Two Child Care Related Bills Clear Iowa House Subcommittee: https://kiwaradio.com/local-news/two-child-care-related-bills-clear-iowa-house-subcommittee/

 Iowa House panel advances proposals from child care task force: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2022-01-12/iowa-house-panel-advances-proposals-from-child-care-task-force

Lawmakers say stopping bullying on social media isn’t something that should fall on schools: https://www.kcrg.com/2022/01/05/lawmakers-say-stopping-bullying-social-media-isnt-something-that-should-fall-schools/    

Teachers 'drowning' as need for substitutes, school staff persists:https://www.thegazette.com/k/teachers-drowning-as-need-for-substitutes-school-staff-persists/

Iowa child care crisis continues, even with new state laws:  https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/iowa-child-care-crisis-continues-even-with-new-state-laws/
 

Iowa's News Now Investigates: Child care deserts draining Iowa families and the state: https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/iowas-news-now-investigates-child-care-deserts-draining-iowa-families-and-the-state 

House GOP proposes $3 million for child care grants: https://www.radioiowa.com/2021/04/14/house-gop-proposes-3-million-for-child-care-grants/

House GOP proposes nearly $78 million for economic development:https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/house-gop-proposes-nearly-78-million-for-economic-development/

Tossing Iowa ordinances that ban rejection of Section 8 housing vouchers:https://www.radioiowa.com/2021/03/16/tossing-iowa-ordinances-that-ban-rejection-of-section-8-housing-vouchers/ 

Iowa House bill would require implicit bias training for child-care programs: https://www.clintonherald.com/news/local_news/iowa-house-bill-would-require-implicit-bias-training-for-child-care-programs/article_6b79948c-7add-11eb-925e-078fd04c624e.html

Iowa House child care bills move forward, but may fall short of need:https://www.thegazette.com/government-politics/iowa-house-child-care-bills-move-forward-but-may-fall-short-of-need/

Governor’s bill to require 100% in-person K-12 classes clears committees:https://www.radioiowa.com/2021/01/26/governors-call-to-require-100-in-person-k-12-classes-clears-committees/

Living In The Unlivable In The Aftermath Of The Derecho: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2020-08-16/living-in-the-unlivable-in-the-aftermath-of-the-derecho

Linn County leaders say more than 150 families are still displaced from derecho: https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/linn-county-leaders-say-more-than-150-families-are-still-displaced-from-derecho 

Area residents concerned over limited slots at Test Iowa in Cedar Rapids: https://cbs2iowa.com/news/coronavirus/area-residents-concerned-over-limited-slots-at-test-iowa-in-cedar-rapids

Childcare Providers Fight To Stay Afloat In Pandemic: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/post/childcare-providers-fight-stay-afloat-pandemic 

How Coronavirus is Changing the Future of Childcare:  https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/coronavirus-child-care/ 

Iowa had a child care shortage pre-COVID and some providers won’t reopen: ttps://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2020/05/04/iowa-had-a-child-care-shortage-pre-covid-and-some-providers-wont-reopen/?fbclid=IwAR3YamXmTqkF7V_Qn1DzWri8f1FtUygbtHzqmhE5f1psBo4T-21UQZP0SkM

Iowa Child Care Centers’ Unexpected Struggle During Coronavirus: https://iowastartingline.com/2020/05/01/iowa-child-care-centers-unexpected-struggle-during-coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR1sabxViqA-FovuGI4dbxN95ZdRBcEbLZVjiptBDe2Y66ET9NvOMPmNjxs

COVID Conversations w/Council Member Vanorny: https://www.facebook.com/vanornyforcitycouncil/videos/552881865641907/UzpfSTExNzU0NTQ0ODg3MjAxMzo1OTI3MDUzODQ2ODkzNDg/

SCAN Midwest COVID-19 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39gIBJdc3pE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR37Qd816btb-E61yWPh4SfHe4A4GnEM1YJhcYNhxCf6phfKVZIDkRpq344  

Re-opening not certain for some child care centers closing during pandemic: https://kwwl.com/2020/04/10/re-opening-not-certain-for-some-child-care-centers-closing-during-pandemic/ 

Child care providers feel overlooked by state efforts to open emergency centers as coronavirus spreads: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/education/iowa-coronavirus-childcare-state-effort-emergency-centers-20200328 

Advocates push for gun legislation during week of action at state Capitol: https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/advocates-lawmakers-push-for-gun-legislation-during-week-of-action-at-state-capitol--567897721.html 

Bipartisian Push on Childcare: https://potluck.fm/episode/the-bipartisan-push-on-childcare/ 

Eastern Iowa legislators eager to begin 2020 legislative session: https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Eastern-Iowa-legislators-eager-to-begin-2020-legislative-session-566930271.html 

Iowa day care deficiencies to be focus of attention at forum following child deaths: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2019/11/20/iowa-child-care-deaths-forum-west-des-moines/4251354002/ 

State lawmaker calls for changes to Iowa daycare regulations: https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/State-lawmaker-calls-for-changes-to-Iowa-daycare-regulations-564008241.html 

Newly released complaints show death, injuries, sexual abuse and neglect in Iowa day cares: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2019/10/26/iowa-daycare-complaints-reveal-infant-death-injuries-sexual-abuse/3869962002/ 

Iowa Keeps Many Complaints About Unregulated Day Cares Confidential, Leaving Many Parents in the Dark... https://www.desmoinesregister.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.desmoinesregister.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Finvestigations%2F2019%2F09%2F20%2Funregulated-iowa-day-cares-avoid-transparency%2F2380502001%2F 

Lawmakers and Parents Celebrate Child Care Grant in Linn County: https://kwwl.com/news/top-stories/2019/09/17/lawmakers-and-parents-celebrate-child-care-grant-in-linn-county/ 

ALWAYS NEXT YEAR: Rep. Ehlert’s bill would allow flexibility for child development homes on snow days: https://theiowastandard.com/always-next-year-rep-ehlerts-bill-would-allow-flexibility-for-child-development-homes-on-snow-days/ 

House District 70 Rep. Ehlert is working on filling constituency advisory group: https://theiowastandard.com/house-district-70-rep-ehlert-is-working-on-filling-constituency-advisory-group/

Iowa Legislature Approves Stun Guns on Campus with Exceptions: https://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2019/04/iowa-legislature-approves-stun-guns-on-campus-exceptions/ 

Teacher misconduct would require prompt reporting under Iowa law: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/teacher-misconduct-require-prompt-reporting-under-iowa-law-sexual-misconduct-falsifying-grades-misuse-of-property-20190326

Unregulated providers fill in to meet Iowa's child care needs. Should we be worried?https://www.thegazette.com/iowaideas/stories/regionalism-workforce/workforce-unregulated-child-care-providers-iowa-in-need-day-care-desert-iowa-parents-investigation-20190222

Iowa House Passes K-12 Education Funding Package; Democrats Say It's Not Enough: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/post/iowa-house-passes-k-12-education-funding-package-democrats-say-its-not-enough#stream/0  

Lessons of 2018: Both parties elected more women lawmakers than ever: https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2018/11/11/lessons-of-2018-both-parties-elected-more-women-lawmakers-than-ever/

Tracy Ehlert, candidate for Iowa House District 70: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa-elections-2018-house-district-70-tracy-ehlert-myra-matejka-20181021

 Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance 2018 Voter Resource Guide: https://www.cedarrapids.org/business-resources/public-policy/2018-voter-guide 

EHLERT-Investment in Kids is Investment in State: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/guest-columnist/ehlert-investment-in-kids-is-investment-in-state-20181027

Iowa House Democrats-2018 TRACY EHLERT:  http://iowahouse.org/2018-tracy-ehlert/ 

Cedar Rapids business owner running in Iowa House 70:  https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/cedar-rapids-business-owner-running-in-iowa-house-70-20170718