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Senate
Democrats
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A
middle-class tax cut is good for Iowa
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Veterans Home
administrators discuss policy changes
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Flood insurance speeds
disaster recovery
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Stopping unfair campaign
tricks
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Maintaining protections for
abused kids
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Stronger protections on Iowa’s
groundwater passes Senate
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Internship grants available
to Iowa companies
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Uniform laws can keep
children safe
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Protecting the courts and
the judicial process
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Let’s show appreciation for
Iowa’s volunteer emergency workers
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Judicial branch seeks
cost-cutting ideas
We’re working to give middle-class Iowans a modest tax cut. At the same time,
we can simplify our antiquated tax system and make it easier for Iowa communities to
attract good-paying jobs.
This idea is strenuously opposed by some of Iowa’s richest citizens and most powerful
special interests. Unfortunately, the state is being blanketed with
misinformation and half-truths.
Here are some facts to keep in mind about the middle-class tax cut proposal:
* It will reduce tax rates for every Iowa taxpayer.
* Two-thirds of Iowans will pay less in taxes or see no
increase.
* Iowa’s
income tax system will become simpler.
* The proposal does not increase revenues to the state of Iowa.
* For Iowa
households making less than $125,000 annually, taxes will be cut by more than
$34 million.
* It will attract good-paying jobs to Iowa
and strengthen our business climate by making Iowa’s income tax rates more competitive
with neighboring states. Currently, Iowa has what appears to be the nation’s
4th highest income tax rate.
* The elimination of federal deductibility and rate
reduction has long been supported by such pro-business groups as the Iowa
Chamber Alliance, Professional Developers of Iowa, and Iowa Taxpayer’s
Association.
The middle-class tax-cut plan has five key components:
1. It increases the elderly and blind personal credit from
$20 to $40. Every Iowan over 65 will get the increased deduction.
2. It expands the refundable tax credit for working
families. Some families will be eligible for a tax credit of up to
$5,000.
3. It
helps families afford quality child and elder care by increasing the
Child & Dependent Care Credit and the Early Childhood Development Credit.
4. It reduces all tax rates. Iowa’s top income tax rate will drop 22
percent to the lowest rate in 40 years.
5. It eliminates federal deductibility on Iowa tax forms. This
simplifies tax returns by removing nine lines on the income tax form. Every
dollar gained by eliminating federal deductibility is used to lower rates.
The time is right to make Iowa’s tax system fairer, simpler and more
competitive.
The Iowa
Legislature has worked hard to improve services and facilities for Iowa veterans, including those living in the Iowa
Veterans Home (IVH) in Marshalltown.
Partnering with
the federal government, the Legislature is proceeding with plans to make the
IVH a state-of-the-art facility that will be one of the best in the country
and enhance the quality health care, security and sense of community that our
veterans deserve.
Because of this bipartisan commitment, Iowa Senate and
House Veterans Affairs committees held a special joint meeting with top IVH
administrators to discuss recent policy changes that resulted in physicians
benefiting financially from increased on-call hours. In the past, the IVH had
recruited relief physicians who worked part time, usually nights and
weekends.
IVH medical director Dr. Melissa Bruhl
said that, on average, the home could not find relief physicians to cover
between four and five 12-hour shifts each month, and that number was steadily
increasing. In response, the home moved to an on-call program in which staff
physicians, including Bruhl, took on additional
shifts for additional pay, eliminating the need for outside doctors.
Bruhl told legislators that the
change was a joint decision by senior management and was based on what other
state agencies have done in similar situations.
While Veterans Affairs committee members generally agree
that the IVH staff does a good job of caring for the 700 veterans who reside
at the Marshalltown
facility, such important policy changes should be public knowledge.
Senator Steve Sodders,
who represents Marshalltown
in the Iowa Senate, noted that better communication could have prevented
concerns over IVH procedures and the negative publicity they have generated.
Last year’s natural disasters taught us that those with
adequate insurance coverage recover more quickly. In addition, the state’s financial
liability is greatly reduced when Iowans have appropriate coverage.
That’s why the Senate Rebuild Iowa Committee recently
voted to require eligible local governments to participate in the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Community participation in the program
greatly reduces insurance costs for eligible homeowners. However, Iowans are
not eligible for the benefits of this program unless their local governments
participate.
The Senate State Government Committee has approved a
measure that would prohibit the use of false caller identification when
making campaign telephone calls.
The proposal seeks to keep callers from deceiving voters
by using fake or pirated caller identification numbers. It would also give
the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board jurisdiction over this
fraudulent practice.
During the 2008 election in Iowa, at least two incidents emerged in
which caller identification showed automated calls coming from a county
courthouse or city hall. The message then told the listener to vote
"no" on a ballot issue. This deceptive practice defrauds voters and
is unfair to local governments and the election process.
Even in tough economic times, it’s crucial that we protect
our most vulnerable citizens. For that reason, a special advocate program for
abused and neglected children is likely to see a 2 percent increase this
year.
The Iowa Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program
recruits, trains and supports adult community volunteers who represent the
best interests of abused and neglected children in court proceedings.
CASA volunteers serve as an effective voice in court for
abused and neglected children, helping to ensure that each child is living in
a safe, permanent and nurturing home. The Court Appointed Special Advocate’s
work includes investigation, assessment, facilitation, monitoring and
advocacy.
For more information, go to http://childadvocacy.iowa.gov/CASA.aspx.
Senate File 432 passed the Senate on a bipartisan 43-6
vote on March 26. The bill provides stronger protections for our water by
banning surface application of liquid manure on frozen or snow-covered ground
from February 1 to April 1. The bill provides different regulations for
different types of manure.
Proposed Iowa Department of Natural Resources rules
currently do not allow for emergency situations, but the bill that passed the
Senate does make exceptions for natural disasters, unusual weather
conditions, and equipment or structural failure.
The legislation also provides regulations for dry bedded
cattle and hog confinement feeding operations, allowing them to stockpile for
six months. Although most producers spread and incorporate in the fall, there
are times when the weather does not cooperate. The changes that passed the
Senate would allow the producer to haul before the cropping season starts in
April.
Do you know a business owner looking to offer internships?
The Iowa Department of Economic Development is accepting
applications through May 1, 2009, for the Summer Internship Program funds. In
2008, the program awarded grants for 150 summer internships at 75
companies.
The program is available to Iowa-based companies that meet
these criteria:
* Fewer than 500 employees, with a significant portion
working in Iowa
* Engaged
in one of the targeted industries of biosciences, advanced manufacturing or
information technology.
* Offer
internships to students at Iowa
community colleges, private colleges, or Regent institutions.
For complete information on the Iowa Student Internship
Program, go to www.iowalifechanging.com/business/ic/internship_program.html.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed a bill that
would help prevent abductions of children who are involved in custody
disputes.
During child custody battles, it is not uncommon for
parents to abduct a child, causing tremendous trauma for the child and the
family. Reuniting a family when a child has been taken to another state is
difficult and can be almost impossible if the child is taken to a foreign
country.
Signs that a parent is intending to take a child include
obtaining a passport for the child, withdrawing large amounts of money from a
bank account, selling a house, or threatening to take the child.
House File 713 would allow a person to request help from
the court if they believe there is serious risk that a child will be
abducted. If the court agrees, it could impose travel restrictions, take a
person’s passport, or require the posting of a bond as a financial deterrent
to abduction.
Currently under Iowa
law, it is a criminal offense to harass jurors and witnesses. A new proposal
under consideration (House File 697) would expand that protection to court
employees and judicial officers.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to make it an
aggravated misdemeanor to harass a judge, magistrate, court employee or their
family members to influence a court decision or in retaliation for a court
decision.
An aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by up to two years
in prison and a fine of between $625 and $6,250.
Rural Iowa
communities rely on volunteers for many of their emergency services and often
have difficulty recruiting qualified people because of the extensive
commitment.
The Senate Judiciary Committee recently passed a bill that
would prohibit employers from firing an employee for their volunteer work as a
firefighter, reserve peace officer or emergency medical care provider. The
emergency services volunteer would also be protected if they were to be late
to work or miss work because of volunteer duties.
By taking this step, we’re recognizing the valuable
service of our emergency volunteers and encouraging more Iowans to take on
these duties without fear of losing their jobs.
In light of tough budget times, Iowa’s Judicial Branch has taken a number
of steps to cut costs and deeper cuts will continue to be necessary.
If you have ideas for additional cost-cutting measures,
innovations or reforms that could improve the court system within the
constraints of a tight budget, you can submit your ideas at www.iowacourts.gov/Administration/Budget/Submit_Ideas/.
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