Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawyers won’t have to pay a new $100 annual fee to help low-income people afford legal representation. Chief Justice Mark Cady says the Iowa Supreme Court will not assess the fee on lawyers to fund Iowa Legal Aid. Supporters said there was a great need for more low-income legal assistance. But critics said the fees unfairly singled out their profession and would hurt younger lawyers saddled with law school debt.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Democratic lawmakers are proposing a significant boost to school aid for the coming academic year. Leaders in the Democratic-majority Senate say they will try to increase funding by over $200 million for the next school year. That’s more than double the amount sought by Gov. Terry Branstad and Republican lawmakers who control the state House. Both proposals include dollars already dedicated to a teacher training program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are getting behind an effort to preserve farmland in the state. Sen. Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, and Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, said Tuesday they would serve on an advisory board to the new Sustainable Iowa Land Trust. The organization seeks to preserve land in Iowa for farming and to make it more affordable for beginning farmers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has chosen Beth Townsend to serve as director of Iowa Workforce Development. Townsend has been serving in the role in an interim capacity since the previous director retired last month. The appointment must now be confirmed by the Iowa Senate. Former director Teresa Wahlert retired last month.