opinion

Evans: Hey Lawmakers, Let Local Government Govern

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When members of the Iowa Legislature show up at coffee shops in their districts on weekends, you won’t hear them talking about not trusting local government officials. But that is at the heart of a bill that would turn city and county government topsy-turvy and place a straitjacket on the governments that are closest to the voters. House Study Bill 165 is the product of Republicans who hold a majority of seats on the House Ways and Means Committee. A subcommittee has recommended approval of the bill. Randy Evans
STRAY THOUGHTS
Randy Evans is the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council.

Business & Consumer Affairs

Wage Theft Reform In Iowa Stalls This Year

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Wage theft in Iowa amounts to stealing a year of earnings from an estimated 39,392 minimum wage workers, totaling about $594 million, according to statistics gleaned from an Iowa Policy Project report. That’s one of the reasons the Iowa Legislature considered a bill this year to help stop businesses from cheating workers.