(Johnston, IA) — Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation this morning (Thursday) that establishes tougher penalties for rioting and protests that block pedestrian or vehicle traffic. The law also provides new legal protection to police, so they cannot be sued for most on-duty actions. Reynolds said, “like so many Iowans, I was raised to be grateful to the heroes who patrol our streets at great personal risk and sacrifice and tragically this fundamental and wholesome part of America’s culture is now under vicious attack.” Nearly all Democrats in the legislature voted against the measure, arguing the G-O-P had turned its back on racial justice efforts. Reynolds had called on the Republican-led legislature to include proposals to track data from traffic stops and ban racial profiling, but those were left out of the bill. Reynolds told reporters after the event that she will offer a stand-alone bill in 2022 to accomplish those goals.
Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed a mortgage-related bill that sailed through the Iowa legislature this year unanimously. During debate in the Iowa House and Senate, the bill was described as leveling the playing field for mortgage brokers like Rocket Mortgage and Quicken Loans. Legislators said a recent state law had reduced duplications in the required paperwork Iowa banks, savings and loans and credit unions present someone to sign for a home mortgage — but digital mortgage brokers were not included. In a veto message, Reynolds said stakeholders and some legislators raised legitimate concerns about the bill after it had passed, so she vetoed it and encouraged legislators to work on the issue next year. This is the only bill the governor has vetoed in 2021.
Learfield Wire Services
