Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill overhauling the funding and operation of Iowa’s area education agencies, notching a win on her top policy priority after 11 weeks of negotiation between House and Senate Republicans. Flanked by lawmakers and state education officials, Reynolds said the law would bring meaningful and necessary reform to the system. In addition to AEA changes, the law will increase state aid to K-12 schools by 2.5% and raise the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 over two years. The special education funding that now goes to the AEAs will go to the school districts, who will need to continue using the AEAs for 90% of that money or send it into the school’s general fund. It also gives schools control over their media and other education services that now fund the AEAs.
Eminent domain review passed: The Iowa House passed a bill this week that would allow landowners to ask a court to review eminent domain authority of proposed pipeline projects before the project receives approval from the Iowa Utilities Board. It is unclear if the Senate will consider the bill.
Reynolds deploying troops: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is sending another round of National Guard troops and state police officers to the U.S.-Mexico border to aid Texas’ border enforcement efforts. Ten Iowa Department of Public Safety officers and troopers will deploy Sunday for 28 days. Also, 110 Guard members will deploy between April 1 and May 3.
