NOW: An Iowa Senate education subcommittee is holding an hour long public hearing on confirmation of Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow KCCI News

Iowa House Democrats say House Republicans plan to debate a 49 page amendment later today that includes AEA reform, a 2.5% increase in public school funding and teacher salary increases. The amendment has not been filed or made public yet. KCCI News #IaLegis

IA Senate passed their version of AEA reform in a 28-22 vote. Same 6 Republicans voted no: Waylon Brown, Mike Klimesh, Mark Lofgren, Charlie McClintock, Sandy Salmon & Jeff Taylor.

It now goes back to the House, continuing negotiations between the two chambers & Gov. Reynolds

NOW: The Iowa Senate just amended the House AEA proposal to send the majority of special education & general ed/media services funding to school districts instead of directly to AEAs over the next 2 years.
6 Senate Republicans joined all Democrats in voting against the amendment.

The second major deadline at the Iowa statehouse is over. There’s 4 weeks until session is scheduled to end & a lot left for lawmakers to get done. #iowalegis KCCI News

Which bills died? Which bills survived? Here’s a comprehensive list:

kcci.com/article/iowa-l…

The House passed a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban — and Scott MacFarlane reports that it moved like a freight train through the process, with force and speed. cbsnews.com/news/tiktok-ba…

Rep. Bloomingdale, chair of House State Gov’t Committee, says the bill to let state agencies have private CPAs rather than State Auditor do annual audits has been tabled due to extra costs. #ialegis

Trump family member now in key RNC position

Biden just referenced the deadly shooting in Perry, IA in his SOTU address. He criticized Donald Trump for telling Iowans to “just get over it” during a IA campaign event shortly after the shooting.
Biden then called for an assault weapons ban & for universal background checks.

During tonight’s State of the Union speech, President Biden will outline his plans to stop the production of fentanyl & keep it out of the U.S.

IA Rep. Congressman Zach Nunn says more action is needed. His SOTU guests are Deric & Kathy Kidd, who lost their son to fentanyl poisoning in 2021

We’re live from The White House ahead of Biden’s SOTU address & breaking down how it’ll impact Iowans.

The Biden admin tells KCCI News the president will talk about:
-the improving economy & new proposals to cut costs
-threats to democracy
-reproductive rights
-gun safety

And a new Iowa Poll this morning:

In an early test of the expected presidential matchup between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Trump leads 15 percentage points among likely voters, 48% to 33%.

That's nearly double his 2020 margin of victory in the state

desmoinesregister.com/story/news/pol…

#punalert #ialegis During debate on a proposal to make the American Cream Draft Horse the official horse of the State of Iowa, Sen. Zach Wahls asks if a 'nay' vote would be in support or opposition.

#sadtrombone

Bill to change blood donation rules fails in the Iowa House | Click on the image to read the full story kcci.com/article/bill-t…