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...]
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...]
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...]
New leader says House Democrats must stop living in 2020, focus on 2022
The new Iowa House Minority Leader says she's unwilling to concede any part of the state to Republicans. The 41 Democrats in the Iowa House met last night and elected State Representative Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights as their new leader. "I talked a lot about the importance of learning … [Read more...]
Iowa House Democrats select Jennifer Konfrst as their leader
House Democrats have elected a new leader and she is the first woman to serve in the post. The 41 Democrats who serve in the Iowa House met tonight and elected Representative Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights as House Minority Leader. Konfrst replaces Representative Todd Prichard of Charles … [Read more...]
Governor signs law making it clear Iowa casinos can simulcast races run outside U.S.
The governor has signed legislation that makes it legal for Iowa casinos to take bets on horse and dog races that are being run in foreign countries as well as in the United States. Iowa casinos have featured live broadcasts of races outside the US for years, but in December state regulators … [Read more...]
Reynolds approves election law changes, new spending on prisons
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has approved a new law that forbids groups like political parties, unions and campaign organizations from having paid staff or volunteers collect and mail absentee ballots for voters. There are also new restrictions as to which Iowans may help another Iowan return … [Read more...]
Reynolds bans use of ‘critical race theory’ in schools, gov’t agencies
Iowa's Republican governor has signed a law that forbids teaching that the United States is systemically or fundamentally racist or sexist. The ban applies to public schools, colleges and universities as well as government agencies that have diversity training. The bill does not mention a concept … [Read more...]