WAYS & MEANS – Week of May 6, 2013
SF 432 – Department of Revenue agency efficiency bill SF 436 – Historic Tax credits SF 454 – Telecommunications property taxes SF 455 – Sales tax exemption for environmental testing services HF 621 –...
View ArticleRecognizing the hard work of Iowa nurses
Iowa has almost 60,000 licensed nurses, one of the largest workforces in the state. Nurses spend more time in direct contact with patients than most other health care professionals. Nurses are...
View ArticleSolving crimes, exonerating the innocent
DNA collected in the context of minor crimes can yield major benefits in public safety. DNA can help solve crimes faster, avoid costly trials and save taxpayer money. In 2006, New York extended its DNA...
View ArticleCustomer-friendly service for drivers
The Legislature has approved changes that will make getting your Iowa driver’s license a lot faster and easier. SF 224, signed into law May 1, lets Iowa veterans get their veteran status marked on...
View ArticleMaking court services more accessible to Iowans
Chief Justice Mark Cady said in his State of the Judiciary address in January that “Iowans expect their government to operate a full-time, full-service and efficient court system.” The Legislature is...
View ArticleIowa’s Medal of Honor recipients in Civil War profiled by Sen. Dennis Black
The State Historical Library is selling a book about Iowa’s 57 Civil War Medal of Honor recipients. Sen. Dennis Black, D-Lynnville, is the author of “Profiles of Valor: Iowa’s Medal of Honor Recipients...
View Article5 efforts worth fighting for to expand middle class
The 2013 Legislature is in overtime. While the Iowa House and Senate have agreed on how much to spend, we still need to hammer out the final details of a balanced state budget that makes smart...
View ArticleHonoring fallen soldiers and veterans this Memorial Day
Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day. It is a time to remember the fallen soldiers who bravely served our country and the veterans among us who’ve sacrificed for our freedom. Military service is a...
View ArticleIowa Launches Healthy & Happy Outdoors
Healthy & Happy Outdoors—also known as H2O—is a new initiative to connect Iowans with the outdoors to reduce stress and improve health. Go to www.iowadnr.gov/h2o and find more than 30 types of...
View ArticleIowa byways website and tour guide
Create an Iowa adventure with the Iowa byways interactive website. It’s got all kinds of information on Iowa’s nationally recognized byways, including route descriptions and history, contact...
View ArticleIowa interactive bicycle map
One of Iowa DOT’s most popular publications, the Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclists, is now online. The map will help you: • Plan your bike trip ahead of time. Enter your starting and ending points...
View ArticleAPPROPRIATIONS – Week of May 13, 2013
SF 430 – Economic Development Budget FY14 & FY15 SF 435 – Ag & Natural Resources Budget FY14 & FY15 SF 447 – Justice Systems Budget FY14 & FY15 HF 603 – Administration & Regulation...
View ArticleCOMMERCE – Week of May 13, 2013
HF 489 – Iowa Insurance Division’s omnibus FLOOR ACTION: HF 489 is based on recommendations by the Iowa Insurance Division (IID) of the Department of Commerce. In addition to technical Code changes,...
View ArticleGOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT – Week of May 13, 2013
HF 649 – Public use of private lands, recreational use FLOOR & COMMITTEE ACTION: HF 649 amends Chapter 461C – Public Use of Private Lands and Waters — which is also known as the Recreational Use...
View ArticleJUDICIARY – Week of May 13, 2013
SF 406 –Involuntary Commitments and Mental Health Advocates FLOOR ACTION: SF 406: Background: Chapter 229 of the Iowa Code provides for the commitment of persons with mental illness. Those who are...
View ArticleSTATE GOVERNMENT – Week of May 13, 2013
HF 586 – Administrative Rules Review Committee FLOOR ACTION: HF 586 allows the Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) to object to an emergency adopted rule and suspend it for 70 days with a...
View ArticleWAYS & MEANS – Week of May 13, 2013
SF 455 – Sales tax exemption for environmental testing services HF 599 – Beginning farmer tax credits HF 615 – Innovation Investment Tax Credits HF 620 – Economic Development Tax Credit Cap Increase HF...
View Article2013 session will grow Iowa’s middle class
The Senate adjourned for the 2013 session late on May 22 with many successful efforts to strengthen and expand Iowa’s middle class. We took a comprehensive approach to creating a state where more...
View ArticleHelp tornado victims but avoid scams
There are scammers out there who use tragedy to exploit generous citizens. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller reminds us to beware of those who may take advantage of Iowans planning to donate to Oklahoma...
View ArticleLandowners invited to sign up for Conservation Reserve Program
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup is under way through June 14. The program offers producers and landowners an alternative to farming environmentally sensitive land. CRP contracts provide...
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