Democrats want to increase minimum wage
Matt McCoy says today's rate of five-dollars-and-15 cents an hour was set in 1997...learn more

D.M. finances need long-term solutions
Des Moines' financial house teeters on a foundation that's become old, cracked and in need of repair...learn more

Petition gathers backing for energy-bill fees
"The reason I support it is because of what's at stake if we don't make some clarifications in state law," state Sen. Matt McCoy...learn more

Hy-Vee voices support for keg registration
"We see this as the right thing to do," said Sen. Matt McCoy...learn more

Lawmaker seeks tougher animal cruelty penalties
Democratic Sen. Matt McCoy, of Des Moines, said that under his plan, first-time offenders would be required to perform community service...learn more

To increase parent involvement, retool school-event schedules
The proposal by Sens. Matt McCoy of Des Moines and Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs, both Democrats, is for parents to use the 20 hours per school year for parent-teacher conferences, school activities and volunteering...learn more