Blog

School diversity plans protect local commitment to equity

Posted on February 2, 2021 at 4:53 PM by Mike Owen

Iowa’s system of free universal public education does more than prepare students for the future. It also brings communities together....

Categories: PK-12 schools, Racial equity

Lawmakers, Governor propose solutions to child care crisis

Posted on January 28, 2021 at 4:16 PM by Sheila Hansen

Early education advocates and business leaders alike are sounding the alarm about the many Iowa families struggling to find and...

Categories: Child care

Tagged As: child care, iowa legislature

Capitol Notes: Legislative session is upon us

Posted on January 16, 2021 at 4:26 PM by Anne Discher

Welcome to our first update of the 2021 legislative session. Governor Kim Reynolds opened her Condition of the State address this week with...

Tax swap — best kept off the table

Posted on January 9, 2021 at 4:23 PM by Mike Owen

It was good news this week to learn Governor Kim Reynolds would not pursue her tax-swap plan this session, trading...

Categories: Budget & taxes, Clean air & water

Tagged As: Income tax, Property tax, Sales tax, Tax fairness

Post-nuclear, Iowa must commit to remaining clean energy options

Posted on January 7, 2021 at 12:00 AM by David Osterberg

The closing of the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC) near Palo leaves Iowa with no operating nuclear power plants. This...

Categories: Clean energy & climate

Tagged As: Energy, Equity, Utilities

Report: Iowa families with children are stressed, struggling to meet basic needs during pandemic

Posted on December 14, 2020 at 9:40 AM by Anne Discher

A troubling share of Iowa families with children are struggling to put food on the table, pay rent and stay...

Categories: Covid-19, Data, Family support & well-being, Food security, Health, Safety net & work supports

Tagged As: Data, Housing, Mental health

An eye on the data: Key numbers during crisis

Posted on November 24, 2020 at 12:00 AM by Mike Owen

Nearly 215,000 Iowans have been confirmed with the coronavirus in the COVID-19 pandemic, which is claiming both lives and livelihoods...

Categories: Covid-19

Tagged As: Data

No recovery, but benefits suspended

Posted on November 1, 2020 at 12:00 AM by Colin Gordon

Unemployment insurance is primarily a state responsibility but, in any severe or prolonged stretch of economic recession, the states rely...

Categories: Covid-19, Jobs & labor, Safety net & work supports

Tagged As: Unemployment insurance

Now is the time for Congress to act on child care

Posted on October 20, 2020 at 12:00 AM by Anne Discher

Iowa child care providers can’t seem to catch a break. Many are still struggling to re-open and stay open in...

Categories: Child care, Covid-19, Federal policy

Good move on utility relief

Posted on October 15, 2020 at 12:00 AM by David Osterberg

Past-due utility bills, like rent and mortgage payments, are a part of family budgets affected by job losses associated with...

Categories: Safety net & work supports

Tagged As: LIHEAP, Utilities