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Republican Governor Kim Reynolds will likely soon face a lawsuit over a provision she signed into law that would restrict publicly-funded health insurance from covering surgeries for transgender Iowans. If she approves a bill that restricts the attorney general’s authority, a lawsuit will likely follow that, too.
Several new laws in recent years have faced court challenges, and some have been struck down.
Asked why this seems to be happening a lot, Reynolds says it’s part of the process.
0507reynoldslaw: 14 “For some, I would say we have an overact—some of our legislators feel we have an overactive supreme court, and so they’re inserting, they’re not really recognizing the separate branches of government. That is why we have three separate branches of government.”
Reynolds supported extensive changes to how Iowa Supreme Court justices are nominated and now has a more narrow bill on her desk to do that. It will give her more power in the process. Democrats say that’s a power grab.
A bill that would require Nebraska abortion providers to give women information about possibly continuing their pregnancy after taking the first of two abortion drugs has won initial approval from lawmakers.
Lawmakers advanced the bill through a first-round vote Tuesday despite criticism that the information isn't backed by scientific evidence. The vote was 37-9 after supporters overcame a legislative filibuster. Two additional votes are required before it goes to the governor.
