Today (Wednesday) Gov. Kim Reynolds approved a House File justice appropriations bill, but then vetoed two sections that would have required the Iowa Attorney General to request permission from the Governor, Executive Council or Legislature prior to entering into out-of-state litigation. In a letter, Reynolds said she did share in the concerns of legislators about Attorney General Tom Miller’s participation in litigation and taking positions in the name of the state that are in conflict with Iowa statutes, the policy goals of the legislature and governor and the best interests of Iowans. “But I am cautious about approving a provision that redefines the scope of the Attorney General’s duties,” Reynolds wrote, “because I am mindful that the Attorney General is also elected by, and directly accountable to, the people of Iowa.” Miller has agreed to not prosecute any action or proceeding or sign onto or author an amicus brief in the name of the State of Iowa in any court or tribunal other than an Iowa state court without the consent of the Governor. “This means that generally I will not be suing the Trump administration,” Miller said in a press release. He added that he believed the suits he filed over the last several years were grounded in law. “According to the available polling data,” he said, “these cases, such as the ones concerning the Dreamers and separating children from parents, were supported by a majority of Iowans. These cases were also supported by Iowans in their overwhelming re-election of me just last November.” This is a good-faith agreement with the governor, something of which, Miller said, there are far too few of in Des Moines and Washington D.C.
