Auditor Releases Review of FY 2014 Budget State Auditor Mary Mosiman released her first review of the FY 2014 state budget on Monday, finding that the state’s fiscal position had greatly improved over the past three years. The Auditor found that the FY 2014 budget “reflects a continued focus on long-term sustainability of services insteadContinue reading “August Newsletter 2013”
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Legislative Update July 2013
Veteran Designation on Drivers Licenses Beginning July 1, an update to Iowa law now allows veterans to have a “veteran” designation put on their driver’s license (DL) or non-operator identification card (ID) anytime they seek a new card, not just at the time of renewal. The cost for a duplicate DL or non-operator ID isContinue reading “Legislative Update July 2013”
Capitol Update May 30
2013 Session Ends The First Session of the 85th General Assembly ended on May 23th. Below is a list of the significant legislation passed that will have an effect on the constituents of House District 96. I think the session was a very productive one. Property Tax Reform Iowa has the third highest commercial propertyContinue reading “Capitol Update May 30”
Capitol Update for the Week of May 10, 2013
New Specialty License Plate Legislation Passes Senate File 371 passed the House this week and replaces the current system for creating, reviewing, and issuing specialty license plates. The bill allows an owner of a vehicle which is required to display registration plates to request special registration plates which have a reserved spot for an organizationContinue reading “Capitol Update for the Week of May 10, 2013”
Capitol Update Week 16
State Revenue Numbers Rebound in April After an unexpected dip in state revenue in March, General Fund revenue in April rebounded strongly. Through the first nine months of Fiscal Year 2013, revenue to the state of Iowa has grown by 8.7 percent. In terms of dollars, revenue is $411 million more than the previous yearContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 16”
Capitol Update Week 15
House Moves Six Appropriations Bills in One Day In a flurry of budget activity on Tuesday, the House moved forward on six of the major appropriations bills. In taking these actions, House Republicans maintained their commitment to funding state government within the amount of on-going revenue The House passed the Fiscal Year 14 Rebuild IowaContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 15”
Capitol Update Week 14
Property Tax Passes the Senate – House Amends The Senate this week passed their version of property tax reform with a vote of 29-21. If you have been following the property tax discussions the last three years, their plan isn’t anything new, same concept as last year – a business property tax credit modeled afterContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 14”
Capital Update for Week 13
House Proposes Education Reform Compromise House Republicans offered a compromise to Senate Democrats on Education Reform this week that hopefully moves the conference committee to resolution. The proposed plan saves taxpayers money, allows schools to plan ahead for the long term, and implements policy changes focused on achievement-driven reforms. The proposal calls for the policyContinue reading “Capital Update for Week 13”
Capitol Update Week 12
Education Reform Heads to Conference Committee This week the Senate finally moved on education reform, taking the bill a step closer to its final form. House File 215, which the House approved in February, came out of the Senate Education committee on Tuesday and off the Floor on Wednesday. It was amended with the Senate’sContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 12”
Capitol Update Week 11
House Passes Bill to Strengthen Penalties for Identity Theft Identity theft is a nationwide epidemic. According to a Federal Trade Commission Report, every three seconds there is a new victim of identity theft. In 2011, Iowa had 1,208 identity theft complaints and while that number is low compared to many other states, identity theft isContinue reading “Capitol Update Week 11”
Lee Hein 