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Government Policy and Law

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China: Trade wars will harm global economy

China is warning that a trade war with the United States would be a global economic disaster, Reuters reported. Commerce Minister Zhong Shan on Sunday warned that the metals tariffs planned by President Donald Trump — …

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Ag Department kills animal welfare rule for organic meat

Des Moines Register: New rules, decades in the making, that would have required organic meat and egg producers to abide by stricter animal welfare standards were withdrawn by the federal government on Monday, frustrating organic farmers …

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Local governments in Iowa decry move to cut payments from state

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier: Iowa cities and counties soon may have less money than expected as a result of business tax relief passed by the state five years ago. State lawmakers five years ago lowered property taxes …

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Bystrom to retire from ISU’s Catt Center in August

Dianne Bystrom will retire from the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University on Aug. 10, after leading it as director for 22 years. She also has directed the university’s…
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Reynolds launches campaign in hometown

Des Moines Register: Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday in Osceola that she’s running for election to the office she has held for the past 10 months. Reynolds, the first woman to lead the state, served for nearly eight …

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Ankeny lops $1 per $1,000 from property tax rate

Ankeny property owners will pay 90 cents less per $1,000 of taxable valuation under a $133 million budget approved this week by the City Council. The property tax rate will drop to $10.75 per $1,000 …

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Secretary of state to businesses: New filing system to come soon

Government is not known for moving quickly, but officials say a smoother process is coming to serve businesses better.

The Iowa secretary of state’s office is hoping to pick up the pace for business filings …

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Iowa Senate OKs plan to rewrite utilities laws while critics predict higher costs

Des Moines Register: The Iowa Senate passed a controversial bill Tuesday night that rewrites some key provisions of the state’s utilities laws with changes that Republicans promised will provide clean, reliable energy at a reduced cost …

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Polk County voters reject 1-cent sales tax

Des Moines Register: Voters in most Polk County cities shot down a 1-cent increase to the local sales tax Tuesday. This is the third time since 1996 that voters have rejected an increase to the sales …

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Legislators approve association health plan bill

The Iowa Senate has moved forward with a bill that would enable small businesses to form association health plans as a potential cost-saving option, the Des Moines Register reported. The proposal, Senate File 2349, passed the Iowa Senate on …