A typical annual session of the Iowa Legislature sees hundreds upon hundreds of ideas proposed in bills. Before lawmakers begin their work for 2024 this morning, Fearless is taking a look at a few of the topics most relevant to Iowa women and girls that could come up.Republicans control the agenda; they Read more…
BY MICHAEL CRUMB, BUSINESS RECORD SENIOR STAFF WRITER While progress has been made in increasing the availability of quality, affordable child care in recent years, more needs to be done, state lawmakers said in a recent panel discussion during a forum on challenges facing child care providers in Iowa.The discussion occurred Read more…
It has been a privilege to cover women’s issues for Fearless and for the Business Record in 2023. As I typed “women’s issues” just now, I cringed. Women’s issues aren’t just women’s issues. They affect everyone. They have significant implications for everyone – and for the economy. As I looked back at Read more…
Iowa’s law requiring representation of women in government is in jeopardy, and advocates say that ditching its nearly four-decades-old provisions would be a mistake. The state started in the 1980s requiring that appointments to state boards and commissions result in gender-balanced boards. About 12 years ago the rules were expanded, Read more…
By Nicole Grundmeier How is your employer or your business adapting to potential changes regarding abortion law in Iowa? I would like to hear from you as soon as possible. Please email me: nicolegrundmeier@bpcdm.com. While the Business Record is apolitical, we report on governmental decisions that affect business. Through our Fearless initiative, Read more…
Sometimes it seemed as if Sharon Malheiro was everyone’s mom. “When she died, it felt like, ‘Well, Mom is gone, and we’re not ready to be Mom yet,’” said Des Moines attorney Breanna Young. This is Iowa’s first Pride month without Malheiro, a longtime attorney and activist who was instrumental Read more…
By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor We’ve made it through the first funnel week of the Iowa Legislature, which is the deadline that requires bills to be approved by a committee. Essentially, all bills must be voted out of their respective Senate and House committees and sent to the full chamber. Read more…
Fewer than two-thirds of county and municipal boards are gender-balanced By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor For more than 10 years, Iowa law has required all state, county and municipal boards and commissions to be gender-balanced. It’s the only state to have the requirement for all levels of government. State Sen. Read more…
By Emily Kestel There is a record proportion of Iowa women running for state and federal office this year – barely. Of the 217 candidates running for federal and state legislative office this year, 78 – or 35.94% – are women. In 2020, when the previous record was set, that Read more…
By Emily Kestel, Fearless editor Editor’s note: A leaked draft opinion obtained and published by Politico last week showed that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, the 49-year precedent that protected the constitutional right to abortion. Chief Justice John Roberts has indicated that while the leaked document Read more…