An Iowa bill that would strengthen legal protections for police and raise penalties for protest-related offenses would also offer civil immunity to some drivers who hit and injure protesters with their vehicles in certain situations.
Proponents say the bill would protect drivers who are trapped during unlawful protests occurring on roadways and grant them immunity if they are trying to carefully maneuver out of the area of an unlawful protest.
But that provision has drawn concern from opponents, who argue it extends protections to negligent drivers and sends the wrong message when paired with the other provisions of the bill affecting protesters.
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Iowa lawmakers taking another run at bill that would limit unemployment benefits Tyler Jett, Des Moines Register
Women of color bear the brunt of COVID job losses
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For the second time in the 2021 Iowa legislative session, some Republicans are pushing legislation to cut unemployment insurance benefits.
Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, filed a bill Monday that requires workers who lose their jobs to wait a week before receiving payments. During a subcommittee hearing Wednesday, a pair of business lobbyists said the measure would prevent increases in a tax on employers and give Iowa Workforce Development more time to weed out fraudulent claims.
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