Iowa labor and supporters gather to oppose collective bargaining bill

Nearly 1,000 labor union members and their supporters rallied in the state Capitol Monday, voicing their opposition to proposed legislation that would weaken collective bargaining rights for Iowa’s public employees.

Iowa Democrats to livestream House’s proceedings on collective bargaining rights

A public hearing on legislation that would alter collective bargaining rights for Iowa’s public employees, and a rally to protest the bill, will be broadcast live online by the state Senate Democrats.

The event will be livestreamed at www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats starting at 4 p.m. At 5 p.m., Democratic staff More…

Iowa GOP to host Rand Paul at Des Moines fundraiser

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) will be the keynote speaker at the Republican Party of Iowa’s annual “Night of the Rising Stars” fundraiser April 2 at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines.

Paul, who was elected in November to his first term in the U.S. Senate, is the son More…

Iowa labor fights against Wisconsin-like collective bargaining bill

Around 1,000 labor union members and their supporters rallied outside the Iowa Capitol Tuesday, showing solidarity with public employees in Wisconsin who are fighting off legislation aimed at taking away their collective bargaining rights.

Meanwhile, Iowa House Republicans moved legislation to committee that makes numerous changes to collective bargaining rights More…

Iowa GOP, Fox News set presidential debate for week before Iowa Caucuses

The Republican Party of Iowa and Fox News Channel announced details Tuesday for a presidential debate scheduled for the week before the Iowa Caucuses. While no specific date is given, the caucuses are scheduled for Feb. 6, 2012.

The debate will be held in the Orpheum Theater in Sioux City. More…

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour to speak at GOP event in Iowa

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who is considered likely to run for president in 2012, will be the featured speaker at a Republican Party of Iowa event in the Quad Cities on March 15.

The event is part of a statewide fundraising campaign organized by the Iowa GOP designed to More…

Santorum to address Iowa conference organized by Steve King

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has confirmed that he will attend the Conservative Principles Conference at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown on March 26. The event is organized by the leadership political action committee of U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa).

Santorum, who is expected to seek the Republican More…

Terry Branstad denies he is supporting Pawlenty in 2012

Gov. Terry Branstad took to Twitter Wednesday morning to respond to a column by the Washington Post’s David Broder claiming the five-term Republican has already thrown his support behind former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty for president in the upcoming Iowa Caucuses.

Broder, writing about the National Governors More…

Tim Pawlenty will do three events with The Family Leader

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will participate in a three-city Iowa lecture tour organized by a controversial conservative organization on Feb. 7.

Pawlenty will deliver a “pro-family lecture” followed by a structured Q&A facilitated by Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader, at events More…

Iowa House passes constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

A constitutional ban on gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships passed the Iowa House Tuesday afternoon 62-37. Democratic Reps. Dan Muhlbauer, Brian Quirk and Kurt Swaim joined 59 Republicans in support of the measure. Thirty-seven Democrats voted “no,” and one Republican was absent.

The legislation, House Joint Resolution More…