Welcome to the Iowa League of Cities Legislative Link, a weekly e-newsletter brought to you by the League’s Government Affairs Team.
The Iowa Legislative Session begins today! Legislators are in Des Moines getting ready to work on many legislative issues. Much of the legislation that will be discussed will impact cities in some way, and often in unique ways.
Legislative Link is typically published on Fridays during session and serves as a recap of the bills introduced in the previous week that impact cities and what bills you should be monitoring on behalf of your city. We include the most impactful legislation based on our analysis and input from members, but it is possible legislation impacts your community uniquely.
Please let us know how these bills impact your community and don’t hesitate to let us know if you hear of legislation that is not included in Legislative Link. Additionally, if you would like more context or detail on a bill, please do not hesitate to hit reply to this email or send us a message at legislativestaff@IowaLeague.org.
|
- The Iowa Legislative Session starts today and is expected to run through the end of April or longer. You can read about these and other important dates on the session timetable.
- Following the 2020 census, the Iowa Legislative Districts might have shifted for the 90th General Assembly. Make sure you know who your legislator is with the Find My Legislator.
- You are receiving this email because you are signed up for the League’s Legislative Link. Send your colleagues this newsletter by signing them up here.
Much of the first week of the session is formal and ceremonial. Without committee and subcommittee meetings, legislators stay busy watching the condition addresses. These speeches are annual reports as well as outlines of the policy the various branches of Iowa Government expect from the 2023 legislative session.
- Monday: Both the House and Senate will gavel in at 10 a.m.
- Tuesday: Governor Reynolds will deliver the Condition of the State address at 6 p.m., which can be viewed live on the Governor’s YouTube page.
- Wednesday: Chief Justice Susan Christensen will deliver the State of the Judiciary at 10 a.m. and can be viewed live on Iowa PBS online.
- Thursday: Major General Ben Corell will deliver the Condition of the National Guard at 10 m. and can be viewed live by following this link.
- Friday: Governor Reynold’s Swearing-in Ceremony and Inaugural activities will be held Friday throughout the day. A list of these events can be found here.
|
As a membership-driven organization, your voice is essential to the legislative process. We encourage you to develop relationships with your legislators so that they will communicate with you throughout the legislative process about issues that are impacting cities. We believe that the exchange of information leads to better policy in the state house. There are many ways in which you can engage with your legislators, such as:
- Attend local forums. The League provides information on legislative forums that are taking place across the state. These are great opportunities to hear from your legislators about their priorities and to engage on issues that are important to your community.
- Reach out to your legislators. Whether your legislator is a longtime incumbent or newly elected, it is important to reach out to them and let them know that you can be a resource on city issues throughout the legislative session. Your legislator can be found here.
- Follow the process. Each day during the legislative session will see new legislation introduced and various meetings held. The League sends out Legislative Link each Friday to provide information on what occurred during the previous week, but to follow what is occurring in real time and familiarize yourself with the legislative website. Information on how to use the Legislative Website can be found here.
|
|