How family friendly is Iowa's Legislature? (Photo by Photo by Juliane Liebermann via Unsplash) Republicans in the Iowa Legislature like to proclaim they are pro-life and pro-family. Most of the time, they act that way, pushing bills that they believe support parents and families. But what happens when their pro-life, pro-family agenda gets in the way of another one of their … [Read more...] about Families take a back seat to big business in Iowa Legislature
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Meatpacking plants have been deadly COVID-19 hot spots – but policies that encourage workers to show up sick are legal
Nearly 1,000 workers at this Smithfield Foods pork-processing plant in South Dakota contracted COVID-19 between mid-March and mid-April 2020. (Photo by Kerem Yucel / AFP via Getty Images) Working in meatpacking plants has always been dangerous. A recent study shows that it became deadlier in the era of COVID-19, even as company profits soared. This analysis, published in … [Read more...] about Meatpacking plants have been deadly COVID-19 hot spots – but policies that encourage workers to show up sick are legal
Bill would give Iowa nursing homes notice of residents’ surveillance cameras
Iowa legislators are considering a bill that would require the families of nursing home residents to notify the facility before installing a surveillance-type camera in their loved one’s room. (Photo by Getty Images.) Iowa legislators are considering a bill that would require the families of nursing home residents to notify the facility before installing a surveillance-type … [Read more...] about Bill would give Iowa nursing homes notice of residents’ surveillance cameras
Sweetheart deals with taxpayer dollars violate the public’s interest
The Des Moines City Council is considering incentives for a downtown soccer stadium, hotels, housing units and related developments in these areas. (Image courtesy city of Des Moines) The ever-expanding use of taxpayer dollars and sweetheart deals by public officials to incentivize and subsidize the private projects of some of the wealthiest corporations is a violation of the … [Read more...] about Sweetheart deals with taxpayer dollars violate the public’s interest
U.S. House passes sprawling $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill, including minimum wage hike
The U.S. House passed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package early Feb. 27, 2021. (Photo by Scalinger/iStock Getty Images) WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on a nearly party-line vote passed President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion pandemic aid package early Saturday, in a rush to both boost COVID-19 vaccine funding and get legislation to the president’s desk before unemployment … [Read more...] about U.S. House passes sprawling $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill, including minimum wage hike