The Iowa legislature has considered legalizing commercial fireworks for years, though the proposal has never made it to the governor’s desk. This year, the debate is revived.
On this legislative day edition of River to River, Ben Kieffer hosts a discussion on Iowa's fireworks laws, along with Iowa Public Radio correspondent Joyce Russell. They also discuss a new proposal to allow teenagers to vote in a primary if they will be 18-years-old by Election Day. University of Northern Iowa political analyst Chris Larimer says this bill could increase the youth vote in Iowa.
"Voting is a behavior that is habitual," he says. "If you do it once, you're more likely to do it again. So If you can get young people involved, the earlier you can do that, the more likely you are to get them to vote in subsequent elections."
Guests in the first half hour include: State Senator Jake Chapman (R), Bob Krause, president of the Veterans National Recovery Center, Nathan Irvin, fireworks retailer in Missouri, and Asher Heimermann, superintendent of Wisconsin Public Safety.
Guests in the second half hour include: Sen. Mike Gronstal (D), Sen. Jack Whitver (R), and Chris Larimer, of the University of Northern Iowa.
