Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds delivered her “Condition of the State” address last night (Tuesday) at the Capitol in Des Moines, highlighting some of her priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Reynolds urged the legislature to take action on what many parents and educators believe to be the biggest impediment to education: cell phones in the classroom.
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Reynolds’ proposal would grant some leeway to schools to determine how far their device bans go, but it would set the standard that devices will no longer be allowed in the classroom. Reynolds had another cellphone-related proposal for the legislature that requires hands-free or voice-activated technology for drivers.
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A hands-free bill has nearly been signed into law in the past several sessions, and Reynolds says 2025 is the year to get it through. Reynolds also announced plans for a partnership between the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the University of Iowa to further research into Iowa’s rising cancer rates.
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Reynolds says the state will also pursue a work requirement for Medicaid recipients.
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Reynolds also mentioned the introduction of Iowa’s own Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), unemployment tax reductions for employers, and the state’s energy policies during her address. Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner (D-Iowa City) delivered the Democratic response and indicated she sees a lot of room for bipartisanship in the coming session.
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This week features two more “condition” addresses, including the Condition of the Judiciary this (Wednesday) morning and the Condition of the Guard Thursday morning.