SIOUX CITY — Gov. Kim Reynolds has made it abundantly clear she’s not happy with the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill that passed the U. S. House on Saturday. The measure, backed by President Joe Biden and passed exclusively with Democratic votes, spends too much, allocates dollars to non-COVID measures and “punishes” states like Iowa that keep businesses open, contributing to low unemployment and flush coffers, the Republican governor said.
DES MOINES — Legislation to ease some gun restrictions and make Iowa the 19th state to adopt a permit-less constitutional carry approach drew cheers Monday from advocates as striking a blow for freedom, while critics called it an effort to unravel Iowa’s gun safety laws. House Study Bill 254, which cleared a House Public Safety subcommittee by a 2-1 vote, would eliminate the need for Iowans age 21 or older to obtain a government permit to acquire or carry a firearm.