Last minute reminder: the mid-term party precinct caucuses are scheduled for tonight (Monday) at 7 p.m. Here are the locations: Democratic Party precinct caucuses Republican Party precinct caucuses   While the state Senate will gavel in for a short time today, action will pick up at the Statehouse on Tuesday.   Last week at the State Capitol   The Catholic bishops of Iowa and several of our Iowa Catholic Conference board and committee members visited the State Capitol last we

U.S. bishops’ president urges restraint and respect for human life in Minneapolis   Echoing the  message Pope Leo XIV  delivered at the Sunday Angelus, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reminded the faithful: “Peace is built on respect for people.”    “Today, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that ‘the Gospel must be proclaimed and lived in every setting, serving as a leaven of fraternity and peace among all individuals, cultures, religion

The Iowa legislative session is underway. Gov. Kim Reynolds is not seeking re-election, making this her last session. During her Condition of the State speech, the governor proposed property tax reform as one of her priorities. The plan would include a 2% revenue growth cap and also would help first-time home buyers save for down payments,   The Senate Republicans’ plan for property tax reform includes restrictions on levy rate growth. It would also have a separate system for

Legislative session starts   This coming Monday, Jan. 12, marks the first day of the second session of the 91 st  Iowa General Assembly. Legislative leaders will speak to both chambers about their goals for the upcoming term.     Tuesday night, Gov. Reynolds will present the Condition of the State address, which will also give us a pretty good idea of her priorities. The speech will be covered live by Iowa PBS.   Two special elections for state legislative seats were held las

The staff of the Iowa Catholic Conference wishes you a Merry and Blessed Christmas season! Getting ready for the legislative session During the past couple of weeks, the usual pre-session meetings with legislative leadership have been taking place. One of our priorities for the upcoming session, which begins Jan. 12, is gaining better access to the state voluntary preschool program for Catholic and other community provider preschool students. Currently, participation is total

Iowa DD Council starts ‘Let Us Work’ campaign   The Iowa Developmental Disabilities (DD) Council is encouraging messages to state legislators about challenges faced by Iowans with disabilities who want to work (or work more) but need Medicaid for health insurance. Click here  for more information.   The “Let Us Work” campaign supports a “Work Without Worry” bill that would allow more Iowans with disabilities to work more hours and keep their health insurance through Medicaid.

ICC board approves legislative concerns for 2026 The board of the Iowa Catholic Conference met recently and approved its list of legislative principles and concerns for 2026 . Among the topics of discussions with legislators this fall have been maintaining access to SNAP and Medicaid to those in need, black market abortion pill regulation, preschool funding, conscience rights for medical professionals, and advocating for just treatment of immigrants and refugees. U.S. bishops

Bishops ask for end to government shutdown   In the midst of the federal government shutdown, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued a plea for lawmakers and the Administration to work in a bipartisan way to ensure funding of lifesaving programs and an end to the government shutdown.   The U.S. bishops are deeply alarmed that essential programs that support the common good, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Ass

Federal shutdown affects SNAP   SNAP benefits are scheduled to be delayed in November while the government shutdown continues. Iowa Health and Human Services has been directed by Gov. Reynolds to convene regular calls with Iowa’s food banks and review the state’s food insecurity response plan used during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Des Moines Catholic Charities Executive Director Mike Sheehy spoke at a news conference sponsored by DMARC on Oct. 23, saying he expects an increase

Pope releases apostolic exhortation   On Oct. 9, Pope Leo XIV released his apostolic exhortation focused on love for the poor,  Dilexi te...

News and notes   The Republicans in the Iowa Senate elected Sen. Mike Klimesh (R-Spillville) as their new leader on Sept. 24. Sen. Jack...

Sign the “Civilize It” pledge   Leaders across the political spectrum have condemned political violence after the tragic Sept. 10...

School shooting mourned   The four Catholic bishops of Iowa released statements regarding the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in...

Ask Congress to oppose rescissions of international aid   This week is Congress’s deadline to act on the White House's request to cancel...

The Big bill has passed both chambers of Congress and is being sent to the President for his signature. From the perspective of the U.S....

While commending the provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that promote the dignity of human life and support parental choice in...

Pope: humanity cries out for peace “Alarming news continues to arrive from the Middle East, especially from Iran,” said Pope Leo at the...

Efforts continue to protect international food aid   Your help is still urgently needed! Ask your members of Congress to insist  that the...

‘Big’ bill goes to the Senate The administration’s “One Big Beautiful” tax and spending bill has passed the U.S. House and goes to the...

The first session of the 91st General Assembly wrapped up after pulling an all-nighter in the early morning hours of Thursday, May 15. We...