BW INSIGHTS

Government Relations Update 6.17.26

By R.G. Schwarm, Matthew H. McKinney & Douglas E. Gross | 06.18.2026

With Iowa’s primary elections and state party conventions concluded, the political landscape shifts entirely to the November general election. To help you track key battlegrounds, our team has analyzed the latest June voter registration data. The accompanying chart highlights the most competitive races based on raw registration numbers and... Read More

Government Relations Update - 6.3.26

By Matthew H. McKinney & R.G. Schwarm | 06.03.2026

Iowa’s Primary Election was held yesterday, June 2, featuring several closely watched contests, including multiple open-seat races and challenges to incumbent legislators. Zach Lahn wins GOP Gubernatorial Primary At the top of the ticket, five Republican candidates competed for their party’s nomination for governor. The race intensified in the... Read More

USCIS Issues Policy Guidance Regarding Adjustment of Status Applications

By Matt J. Mauntel-Medici & Steffi S. Lee Dwyer | 06.01.2026

According to a new policy memorandum issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services this week, individuals who are in the United States temporarily and applying for lawful permanent residence (commonly referred to as a “Green Card”) may need to return to their home country to do so. This is in stark contrast with the commonly available... Read More

Government Relations Update - Candidate Fundraising Reports 5.20.26

By Matthew H. McKinney & R.G. Schwarm | 05.22.2026

With the May 19, 2026, state campaign finance disclosure deadline now behind us, the political playing field for Iowa’s high-profile races is taking sharp focus. With only 13 days remaining until the June 2nd primary election — and 167 days until the November 3rd general election — fundraising, capital deployment, and cash-on-hand metrics offer... Read More

ICE Reclassifies Form I-9 Violations: What Employers Need to Know

By Danielle D. Smid & Matt J. Mauntel-Medici | 04.28.2026

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently revised its Form I-9 inspection fact sheet in a way that meaningfully increases employer exposure. The revised guidance is dated March 16, 2026, and was posted without formal notice or rulemaking. It reclassifies a wide range of errors that employers have historically been able to correct... Read More

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week 15

By Matthew H. McKinney & R.G. Schwarm | 04.27.2026

Capitol Update The 100th day of the 2026 legislative session has come and gone, and lawmakers have now entered “overtime.” As a reminder, Iowa does not have a statutory or constitutional adjournment deadline. Instead, the legislature operates under a target adjournment date, after which lawmakers no longer receive per diem payments for lodging and... Read More

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week 14

By Matthew H. McKinney & R.G. Schwarm | 04.20.2026

Capitol Update The 100th day of the 2026 legislative session falls this Tuesday, April 21. However, the legislature is unlikely to meet that target adjournment date as lawmakers continue working through the budget and several outstanding policy bills. While adjournment within the next week remains possible, it is more likely that the session will... Read More

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week 13

By Matthew H. McKinney & R.G. Schwarm | 04.13.2026

Capitol Update PROPERTY TAX: Identified by both Republican and Democratic legislative leaders as a top priority this session, the Senate advanced its property tax proposal on a 41–4 vote. An amendment to the Senate Property Tax bill was filed Wednesday by Ways and Means Chair Dan Dawson (R–Council Bluffs) and adopted later that same day on the... Read More

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week 12

By Matthew H. McKinney & R.G. Schwarm | 04.06.2026

Capitol Update Senate Republicans released their budget targets this week, proposing a 1.2 percent increase for FY 2027 over the current FY 2026 budget. Fiscal year 2027 will mark the second full year under the state’s 3.8 percent flat income tax. The Senate Republican proposal sets a budget target of $9.623 billion, $47 million less than the... Read More

2026 Government Relations Legislative Update - Week 11

By Matthew H. McKinney & R.G. Schwarm | 03.30.2026

Capitol Update This week was another abbreviated legislative week, with most lawmakers returning to their home districts by Wednesday and minimal activity at the Capitol on Thursday. Shortened schedules may become more common in the weeks ahead as leadership works to determine which policy priorities to advance and how to bring the session to a... Read More