Local cities are making Home Rule proclamations, 50 years after its implementation.

Riverside and Winfield each made Home Rule proclamations at recent city council meetings. In 1968, the Home Rule amendment was passed by Iowa’s legislature giving more power to local governments. Riverside Mayor Allen Schneider says it’s a good time to look back, “It’s a reminder to people that we want the decision power to be with the local communities and noting the history of it.” The proclamation reads, “Home Rule is essential to effective and responsive municipal governance in all cities in Iowa,” and that local control “continues to be vital to the health and prosperity of all cities in Iowa.” Before Iowa was a Home Rule state, Iowa was considered a Dillon’s Rule state, meaning all governmental decisions came from the state legislature, according to the Iowa League of Cities.