Posted March 08, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES – New legislation introduced by the Iowa Department of Human Services would bar welfare recipients from using the taxpayer money they receive at strip clubs, bars and casinos and make the misuse a fraudulent act. But it fails to address how the department plans to enforce the proposed law
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Posted March 06, 2013in Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES — At least 44 companies owe Iowa nearly $8 million for loans they received in exchange for a promised 1,388 new jobs that never materialized. The companies, instead, produced a total of 21 jobs, an Iowa Watchdog analysis found. As of the end of June, the state wrote
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Posted February 26, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES – Members of an Iowa board charged with doling out millions to lure business to the state often work for companies that benefit from the incentive programs they oversee, an Iowa Watchdog review shows. Additionally, Iowa Economic Development Authority board members donated thousands of dollars to political campaigns,
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Posted February 08, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
Iowa Workforce Development officials broke Iowa law when they blocked state auditors from investigating a case in which an employee with a criminal background embezzled more than $43,500, according to a newly released report from the Iowa State Auditor. The agency contacted the state auditor’s office seven months after starting
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Posted February 01, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES – Iowans have little way to monitor public officials’ compliance with transparency laws. Even if they do find possible violations, the state affords them few avenues to hold leaders accountable. Take for example the Des Moines School Board. It held a closed session in May citing the provision
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Posted January 28, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES – Iowa leaders have yet to crack down on where and how welfare dollars are used, putting the state at risk of losing at least $6.6 million in federal dollars next year. States have until 2014 to find ways to police where welfare recipients make transactions under a
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Posted January 25, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES – Iowa’s teacher-preparation programs fail to produce graduates who are ready to lead a classroom, according to a new study that has quickly drawn criticism from some educators. The National Council on Teacher Quality released its “2012 State Teacher Policy Yearbook” this week, giving Iowa overall grades for
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Posted January 16, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES – Iowa lawmakers oversee a budget of roughly $6 billion in state taxpayer money annually, whether it be providing health care for the needy or luring companies to the state with millions of dollars in tax breaks and loans. They set policy that affects everything from state’s economy
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Posted January 10, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES – Iowa’s pension fund for police officers lost $7.3 million in investment returns last fiscal year, a newly released report from the state auditor’s office shows. The Peace Officers’ Retirement, Accident and Disability pension system, which is partially propped up by taxpayer dollars, has an unfunded liability of
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Posted January 09, 2013in Featured Story, Iowa Watchdog
DES MOINES — Iowa lawmakers and taxpayers have no way of knowing where and how welfare recipients spend roughly $100 million a year in federal and state money. Federal banking laws prohibit state officials from obtaining transactions made on EBT — Electronic Benefit Transfer — cards issued to welfare recipients, according to
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