Gas tax hike, property tax cut & tax credit for low-income advance
Three different tax proposals advanced at the statehouse today, although future prospects for all three are uncertain. Two of the proposals would cut income and property taxes for some Iowans, while the other would raise the state's gas tax. A three-member subcommittee in the Iowa Senate signed off on a 10-cent hike in the gas tax. Senator Tom Rielly, a Democrat from Oskaloosa, is the key architect of the plan. "I think it should be pointed out that anytime we talk about any fee increase, … [Read More...]
NWS makes changes to flood warning levels
The National Weather Service is changing how it measures the depths of Iowa's waterways, which also means a change in how much water will be needed to prompt the issuing of flood warnings. Senior hydrologist, Jeff Zogg, says they're shifting 44 of the 47 river forecast points across the state's midsection. "The reason we're changing the flood stages and the flood categories across central Iowa is to give our flood warnings more meaning," Zogg says. "We want to be sure that when we issue a … [Read More...]
Tax break plan for the Field of Dreams site clears first Senate vote
A bill that would provide a tax break to a project to expand the Field of Dreams site near Dyersville in eastern Iowa cleared an initial hurdle in the Iowa Senate today. One critic said the state should not be singling out one economic development opportunity over another, but Senator Tod Bowman, a Democrat from Maquoketa, couldn’t resist quoting the 1989 movie's signature line. "I probably can't begin without saying if we build it they will come," Bowman said. He went on to explain that … [Read More...]
Countdown to Chinese VP’s appearance in Iowa (audio)
Preparations continue for what Governor Terry Branstad has suggested may be one of the diplomatic events of the century in Iowa. China's vice president is due to visit Muscatine, then Des Moines next week and the Chinese consul general based in Chicago traveled to Iowa today to speak with reporters about the trip. "Vice President Xi's visit will truly enhance the friendship and it will truly bring more people-to-people exchanges between our two countries," he said during a news conference … [Read More...]
Institutional view of Air Force may be behind proposal to close Iowa Air Guard unit
The Iowa Congressional delegation plans to meet with the Secretary of Air Force to discuss the proposal to shut down the 132nd Iowa Air Guard fighter wing in Des Moines. Congressman Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, says they have not been given an explanation of why the Iowa unit is targeted, but says it's likely a cultural issue with the Air Force. "There is a very different institutional approach to this in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps than there is in the Air Force," Braley … [Read More...]
