The tax bill Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law this week includes a sales tax break for the state's Food Banks. The state sales tax isn't charged on food, but Iowa food banks pay an estimated $200,000 every year in sales taxes on other supplies and equipment. Linda Gorkow, executive director … [Read more...]
Axne-sponsored proposals included in corporate accountability package
The U.S. House has passed a proposal from Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne that would force big corporations to disclose if they're outsourcing jobs and using so-called tax havens in other countries to avoid paying U.S. taxes. "Last year 55 profitable U.S. corporations paid no federal corporate … [Read more...]
Two moves in 2021 legislative session to bolster volunteer firefighters
A bill that became law this week increases the state tax credit for volunteer firefighters from $100 to $250. Another approved by the governor last week will, for the first time, let voters approve a property tax levy to support the operations of a local fire department. About 90% of the … [Read more...]
Reynolds signs ‘Back the Blue’ bill into law
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has signed legislation that establishes tougher penalties for rioting and protests that block pedestrian or vehicle traffic. The law also provides new legal protection to police, so they cannot be sued for most on-duty actions. "Like so many Iowans, I was raised … [Read more...]
Congressman tries again to get derecho loss coverage
Iowa farmers who are still working to recover from losses caused by the derecho last August would likely see benefits in a bill being introduced by Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra. The Republican from Hull says the legislation would bring derecho relief through an existing federal program that … [Read more...]
Reynolds rejects bill related to mortgage paperwork
Governor Kim Reynolds has vetoed a mortgage-related bill that sailed through the Iowa legislature this year without a single vote against it. During debate in the Iowa House and Senate, the bill was described as leveling the playing field for mortgage brokers like Rocket Mortgage and Quicken … [Read more...]
Iowa’s governor to seek more personal income tax cuts in 2022
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a wide-ranging bill into law that cuts personal income taxes, gradually gets rid of the state inheritance tax and erases a property tax levy used to finance mental health services. State money is to be used to finance the mental health system. "Health … [Read more...]
Time to be ‘bold about the basics,’ gubernatorial candidate Ras Smith says
Democrat Ras Smith kicked off his campaign for governor with an online video this morning and an in-person rally in his hometown of Waterloo early this evening. "I believe that together we can accomplish so much more...and that means starting by being bold about the basics," Smith said. "You see … [Read more...]
Iowan who lost daughter testifies against immigration amnesty bill
The mother of a Council Bluffs woman who was killed in an accident by a man who was in the country illegally testified at a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today on an immigration amnesty bill. Michelle Root's daughter Sarah had just graduated from college with honors when the accident … [Read more...]
Ernst says IG’s audit may find clues to Covid-19 origins
As debate over the origins of Covid-19 continues, the Biden Administration is launching an audit of federal grants that may have supported coronavirus research in China. Republican Senator Joni Ernst has been pushing for an investigation of a US non-profit that sent about $600,000 in federal grant … [Read more...]