Clay Masters

Gronstal and Paulsen Praise Statehouse Compromises

Clay Masters and Katherine Perkins — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:11:43 +0000

Lawmakers from both political parties are calling the 2013 legislative session successful. They were able to find compromise on three big issues: education reform, commercial property tax relief, and expanding health insurance coverage.

Branstad: 2013 Legislative Session 'Best He Can Remember'

Clay Masters — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:08:58 +0000

Iowa’s 2013 legislative session ended Thursday morning. Democratic and Republican leaders called the session historic as bipartisan compromises on insuring low-income Iowans, reforming the state’s education system and property taxes were passed. Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters reports.

Inside The Gold Dome

Emily Woodbury and Clay Masters — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:09:57 +0000

Lawmakers at the Statehouse have received their final payments, pages and interns have left for summer, but the legislative session continues into May. It’s legislative day today on River to River.

Host Clay Masters discusses two bills still up for discussion: a state online sales tax bill and a bill requiring DNA testing for certain convictions. Masters also takes a look at the day-to-day in the capitol, by talking with statehouse employees that work alongside Iowa’s representatives.

MidAmerican Energy Announces $1.9 billion Wind Deal in Iowa

Clay Masters — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:35:21 +0000

Veterans Home Leadership Questioned

Clay Masters — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:18:36 +0000

At least one state senator is calling for the person in charge of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown to step down so a more thorough investigation can be conducted. This follows repeated complaints over management of the Veterans home. The Senate Veterans Affairs committee held a meeting Monday to hear testimony. Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters reports.

Livestock Inspections and Teen Driving

Katherine Perkins and Clay Masters — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:17:44 +0000

Under an agreement with the EPA, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will have to inspect 1,600 livestock facilities each year, for the next five years. Debate at the Iowa Statehouse is centering around how many inspectors are needed to do the job. Then, Iowa was one of the first states to approve a graduated driver's license system for teens. Since then, the state has dropped to 49th in rankings of teen driving safety. A new Iowa law puts more restrictions on the youngest and most inexperienced drivers.

The Future of Medicaid in Iowa

Ben Kieffer, Clay Masters and Sarah Boden — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:40:14 +0000

All this week, IPR’s Clay Masters has been talking with Iowans who receive Medicaid services to get their input on the debate between Governor Branstad and the Democratic-controlled state Senate over expanding Medicaid.

River to River wraps up the series with host Ben Kieffer sitting down with Clay and several Medicaid recipients, as well as the Governor’s healthcare policy advisor Michael Bousselot and Democratic state senator Pam Jochum.

Iowans on Medicaid Part 4

Clay Masters — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:30:21 +0000

Iowans on Medicaid Part 3

Clay Masters — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:34:00 +0000

There’s one issue that will likely help keep state lawmakers from adjourning at the end of the week; that’s healthcare. Thousands of low-income Iowans will be kicked off a healthcare program that expires at the end of the year and there’s disagreement over how to cover them. Republican Governor Terry Branstad is at odds with Democratic-controlled Senate who want to expand Medicaid. The governor doesn’t want to rely on the feds… so he’s introduced his own plan.

Iowans on Medicaid Part 2

Clay Masters — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:57:25 +0000

Legislative Day: Iowa's Gas Tax

Clay Masters — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:13:49 +0000

Crumbling roads and bridges are fueling renewed debate over raising the gas tax in Iowa. That’s despite polling that shows a majority of Iowans do not support an increase. Hear the pros and cons and why some who would pay the most are the ones pushing for the increase.

Iowans on Medicaid

Clay Masters — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:03:00 +0000

Right now, under federal law states have to figure out how to insure the poor. They can either expand the joint federal/state healthcare program for low-income people called Medicaid… or they can get waivers and devise their own plans. Democrats who control the Iowa Senate are at odds with Republican Governor Terry Branstad has introduced his own plan.

Social Media and Education Reform in the Legislature

Clay Masters — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:13:43 +0000

Social media is influencing debate in Iowa's capital.

Debate on Expanding Medicaid in Iowa Continues

Clay Masters — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:11:46 +0000

The Democratic-controlled Iowa Senate wants to expand Medicaid in the state. Republican Governor Terry Branstad does NOT and has introduced his own plan. Medicaid is the joint federal-state healthcare program for low-income people. As Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters reports the Republican-controlled House held a public hearing on the Senate’s expansion bill Tuesday night.

Sex Offender Parole Sentencing

Clay Masters — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:42:29 +0000

The Iowa sex offender registry includes people within a wide range of offenses, and some lobbyists here at the capitol are asking the question: Should all sex offenders be put under lifetime parole sentences?

Legislative Leaders and Radon

Clay Masters — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:17:31 +0000

Bills awaiting approval during the 2013 legislative session faced another funnel deadline last week. Host Clay Masters talks with Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and House Speaker Kraig Paulsen about the proposals still standing. And, a plan to require schools to test for, and mitigate against, radon exposure stalled in a House subcommittee last week despite overwhelming support in the Iowa Senate. We hear from Des Moines Senator Matt McCoy, Gail Orcutt a radon-induced lung cancer survivor and Gaylen Howsare from the Iowa Association of Schoo

Senate Passes Medicaid Expansion in Iowa

Clay Masters — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:04:20 +0000

Republican and Democratic Senators clashed over a bill that would expand Medicaid in the Iowa. That’s the joint federal-state program that provides healthcare for low-income people. Last year the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that under the Affordable Care Act… sometimes called Obamacare... it’s optional for states to expand Medicaid. As Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters reports, the senate passed the bill along party lines.

Instructional Hours and Regents Nominees

Clay Masters — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:18:48 +0000

There were some fireworks last week at the State Capitol as two of Governor Terry Branstad’s nominees to serve on the Iowa Board of Regents came before the Senate Education Committee. Host Clay Masters talks with Senator Herman Quirmbach, Chair of the Senate Education Committee about lawmakers’ concerns. And a discussion of whether the time students spend in school should be counted in days or hours. A proposal making its way through the legislature would count instructional time in hours.

Quality Healthcare & Workforce Development

Clay Masters — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:09:56 +0000

Every Iowan should be able to get quality healthcare and find a job, but getting there is the battle. Today on River to River, Governor Branstad and the Democratic controlled Iowa Senate are sparring over how best to insure Iowans. We talk with the Governor’s top healthcare policy advisor about the governor’s recently unveiled Healthy Iowa plan. In the second half we talk with an economist about job creation in Iowa and hear from a Republican and Democratic lawmaker on bills that could create more jobs.

Senate Democrats Unveil Plan to Expand Medicaid with Opt-Out Option

Clay Masters — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:10:49 +0000

Democrats in the Iowa senate say they’re extending an olive branch to Republican Governor Terry Branstad regarding their proposal to expand Medicaid in the state. The governor is opposed to expanding the joint federal state healthcare program for the poor mainly because he doesn’t believe the feds can continue to pay for it. Democrats are offering an opt-out provision in case federal funding levels would change.

Juvenile Sentencing

Clay Masters — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:23:47 +0000

Bills making their way through the legislative process would set sentencing options for juveniles convicted of first-degree murder. The debate comes after a U.S. Supreme Court decision ruled juvenile offenders can not be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. But, how much time is enough? 40, 50 or even 60 years? Today on River to River, we talk about the legislation and how the courts have ruled on the treatment of juvenile offenders.

Water Quality and River and Lake Restoration

Clay Masters — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:38:31 +0000

Many of Iowa's rivers and lakes are unable to support recreation and fishing and are in need of restoration. Governor Branstad's proposed budget cuts funding for restoration projects. Today on River to River, we talk with the Director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, as well as people in communities impacted by the cuts.

Sentencing Juveniles for First Degree Murder

Clay Masters — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:24:48 +0000

Juveniles in Iowa who've committed first degree murder could be eligible for parole after serving 45 years in prison. That’s according to a bill discussed at the statehouse Thursday. As Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters reports, it’s in reaction with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Prescription Drug Monitoring and Distracted Driving

Clay Masters — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:36:45 +0000

Prescription drug abuse is one of the fastest growing substance abuse problems in the state. What are preventive measures doctors can take to keep these drugs from getting into the wrong hands?

A bill that would mandate physicians check a database before prescribing certain medication to their patients is being discussed at the statehouse. Today on River to River, we talk about ways this could possibly help or get in the way of the patient/doctor relationship.

Medicaid Expansion Starts Moving in the Senate

Clay Masters — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 22:54:32 +0000

A plan to add 150,000 Iowans to Medicaid, the joint federal-state healthcare program for the poor is advanced today in the Democratic-controlled Senate. That comes the day before Republican Governor Terry Branstad meets with President Obama’s Secretary of Health and Human Services to talk about healthcare options. Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters reports.

Reining in the Regents

Clay Masters — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:12:30 +0000

A bill intended to rein in the power of members of the Iowa Board of Regents drew various degrees of support from Iowans Wednesday at the statehouse. The proposal follows controversy over Regent Bruce Rastetter. Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters reports.

Medicaid Expansion

Clay Masters — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:39:00 +0000

Putting more Iowans on Medicaid is the center of much conversation between the governor and key legislators right now. But is it the best option?

Today on “River to River” we’ll discuss the state’s Medicaid system and explore the virtues and future of IowaCares—a limited Medicaid benefit program that’s set to expire this year. We’ll also hear about a bill the will expand the state’s Medicaid program.

Ethics Complaint Against Iowa Sen. Sorenson Dismissed, At Least For Now

Clay Masters — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:41:58 +0000

An Iowa Senate committee has dismissed an ethics complaint for now against State Sen. Kent Sorenson (R-Milo), who was accused of taking money from Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-Minn.) presidential campaign.

Sorenson was the state chairman of Bachmann’s campaign in Iowa. State Sen. Sandra Greiner (R-Washington) says the committee needs more information.

Lawmaker Pushes to Keep Gun Permits Private

Clay Masters — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:50:24 +0000

The names of Iowans who obtain permits to carry a weapon would not be public record under a proposal introduced to a committee in the Iowa House.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Matt Windschitl (R - Missouri Valley), is a leading gun rights advocate. He sees keeping private the names of Iowans who get permits to carry or acquire weapons as a matter of public safety.

In Wake of Shootings, Iowa Schools Put Safety Plans in Place

Clay Masters — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:32:30 +0000

As President Obama’s gun control proposals make their slow way through Congress, Iowa, and every state in the nation, is asking the same question. How do we protect our children from gun violence? Iowa Public Radio’s Clay Masters talked to some of the voices in this debate and visited a school in Des Moines.

At Studebaker elementary school in southeast Des Moines, students practice a fire drill. They exit the building in single file.