Page 22 - Joe Mitchell News Today

DES MOINES - The debate over mask-wearing continued at the Iowa Statehouse as lawmakers heard arguments against limiting the authority of colleges and universities to mandate facial coverings for students and employees when they are off-campus.

Des Moines Register Iowas public colleges and universities couldnt require students or staff to wear face masks or social distance to protect against the coronavirus while off campus, according to a bill that advanced through a House subcommittee Tuesday. The bill, House File 162, would also ban accredited private institutions that have similar off-campus requirements from receiving state funding through the Iowa Tuition Grant Program, which assists students attending private institutions. Rep...

February 2, 2021 Des Moines, Iowa — Students in Iowa’s K-through-12 schools would be led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day under legislation that’s cleared initial review in the Iowa House. Representative Joe Mitchell, a Republican from Wayland, says Iowa is one of four states that doesn’t have this requirement. (as said) “Our current president has talked about finding the soul of our nation,” Mitchell says. “I think this goes along with it, righ...

A school voucher bill proposed by Governor Kim Reynolds is advancing this legislative session that would redirect public school funding to a student’s account that can be used to help pay for private school. Senate File 159 passed on the Senate floor Thursday, which stipulates there are no income limits to qualify for a “student first scholarship” account, but families must come from a public school that’s in the bottom performance level under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The...

House and Senate bills requiring that schools offer a fully in-person learning option are advancing at the statehouse, with health officials concerned on how that may put school staff at risk of contracting COVID-19. A bill has advanced to the full Senate while a similar proposal passed out of a House subcommittee Monday, in line with Governor Kim Reynolds’ education priorities set out this session. District 84 Representative Joe Mitchell (R) says he supports the bill, though he says that ma...

Republican lawmakers are continuing their efforts to add gun rights language to the Iowa Constitution this legislative session. A three-member House panel advanced a proposal last week that would add the proposed constitutional amendment which reads, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny....

I believe it was divine order that the national observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and the end of one of the most divisive presidencies in U.S

Just a week into the 2021 legislative session the Washington Chamber of Commerce held its first of four briefings with the area’s local lawmakers Saturday. Around 20 people were in attendance for the event held over Zoom, in which Chamber Executive Director Michelle Redlinger moderated questions between attendees and state representatives Jarad Klein and Joe Mitchell, and state senators Kevin Kinney and Jeff Reichman. Kalona resident James Graham asked whether lawmakers are considering taking...

In the first days of the lame duck session, the bill drew strong opposition from labor groups and law enforcement. Several, including Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow, testified in opposition of the bill.

Replies(5) The Orland Fire Protection District is opposing the current police reform bill making its way to the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. (Yasmeen Sheikah/Patch) ORLAND PARK, IL — The Orland Fire Protection District released a statement opposing the current police reform bill thats making its way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, adding to the list of officials in town that have opposed the legislation. House Bill 3653, which the Illinois Sheriffs Association refers to as the "Defund the Police" bill...