I was LIVE from the State Capitol for day one of the Iowa Legislative Session. Here's what we learned.
1. Lawmakers will act quickly on water quality - it will be the first major agenda item of the session. The House and the Senate came close to a compromise just before adjourning without a bill last session. They'll put the finishing touches on the bill quickly.
2. Some Iowans will see their taxes go UP due to the federal tax reform bill. That's because Iowans can deduct federal taxes. If an Iowan pays LESS federal taxes, the state bill goes up. That gives legislators a "windfall" that, even in tight budgetary times, they can use to provide a tax cut.
3. The state didn't get a waiver in its administration of Obamacare last year when all but one insurer dropped off the exchange. Can the legislature act to improve health care?
4. Privatized Medicaid management is here to stay but Democrats will insist that more money is needed to fix the system. The budget is tight but there will be a fight over this issue.
On day two, we are live at the Capitol for the Governor's Condition Of The State address. You'll hear it LIVE in its entirety and I will have an exclusive response from a Democrat following it.