Government Policy and Law

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Report tells state and local governments to rethink budgets

A report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities today said predictions of an “imminent fiscal meltdown” by states and governments are exaggerated, according to Bloomberg.

The report said the operating decisions for most …

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Hoelscher named director of state-federal relations office

Gov. Terry Branstad announced today that Williams native Doug Hoelscher will serve as the director of the Iowa Office of State-Federal Relations in Washington, D.C.

Hoelscher previously served as the White House liaison and executive …

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Justice selection challenge dismissed

U.S. District Judge Robert Pratt granted Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller’s request to dismiss a legal challenge of Iowa’s judicial retention system.

Four Iowa plaintiffs filed a request on Dec. 8 for a temporary restraining …

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Tucson mayor asks for civility at mayors meeting

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie is one of 230 mayors to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Winter Meeting. Tucson, Ariz., Mayor Robert Walkup yesterday introduced a “Civility Accord” and urged his colleagues to …

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Branstad to hold weekly press conference on Mondays

Gov. Terry Branstad’s office announced today that Branstad will hold weekly press conferences on Mondays at 9 a.m. The first scheduled press conference for the new governor was today at 9 a.m. due to yesterday’s …

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Branstad: Evaluations could lead to “painful” government layoffs

Gov. Terry Branstad said today that recently hired state employees could face losing their jobs.

Last year, more than 2,000 state workers accepted an incentive package to retire early, and former Gov. Chet Culver replaced …

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Reynolds to help transition of Rebuild Iowa Office

Gov. Terry Branstad today named Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds to oversee the transitional process of the Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO) as it prepares for its scheduled June 30 close.

Branstad said Reynolds would take this …

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Obama announces government review of federal regulations

President Barack Obama announced today that he will launch a government-wide review of federal regulations to try to eliminate rules that slow economic growth.

Obama, who wrote about the move in a piece that was …

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Plea agreement reached in state film office investigation

Attorney General Tom Miller has entered into a plea agreement with a newly charged defendant in the Iowa Film Office case. Miller charged Chase Brandau, 25, of Minneapolis with second-degree theft, a Class D felony. …

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USDA backed $149 million in home loans last year

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guaranteed $149 million in loans to 1,532 applicants in 2010 to buy homes in rural areas or in communities with a population of 25,000 or fewer. The USDA administers …