Cedar Rapids Gazette: Majority Republicans in the Iowa Legislature are looking at steps to soften the financial blow for Iowans who refuse to comply with a mandate to get a COVID-19 vaccination and lose their jobs as a result. Lawmakers who are holding their second special session today to consider new election boundary maps also plan to address the issue of workplace vaccination mandates. Under House Study Bill 281, Iowans who are fired for not complying with an employer’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement would be eligible for unemployment benefits. The measure also would specify the circumstances and procedures for employees to claim medical and religious exemptions from workplace requirements.