Government Policy and Law

Gov. Terry Branstad has named W. Thomas Phillips, a retired Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. executive, to serve on the Iowa Board of Parole. Also appointed to the board by Branstad were former state Rep. Doris …

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has provided a $477,754 grant that will enable the Iowa Small Business Development Centers to establish an office of international trade in Des Moines. The funding is part of …

The U.S. Treasury Department’s toxic asset funds have gained 27 percent since they were created to help revive the mortgage-backed securities market, according to data expected to be released today, Reuters reported.

As part of …

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced this morning that he has filed a friend-of-the-court brief with eight other states’ attorneys general, all Democrats, defending the
constitutionality of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act …

President Barack Obama’s outside panel of economic advisers will be led by Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of General Electric Co., Bloomberg reported. Immelt, 54, wrote today in an op-ed piece in the Washington Post that Obama …

Beth Townsend has been named director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Gov. Terry Branstad announced yesterday. Townsend, who through her private practice, Townsend Law Office, has represented individuals before the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, …

With new Iowa Economic Development Director Debi Durham on hand, the Iowa Innovation Council approved its strategic plan last week.

Durham, named to the position by Gov. Terry Branstad, came to the meeting after last …

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 …

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 …

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 …