August 7, 2009
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It is an honor to serve as your State Representative. The 2009 Legislative Session is over and I'm proud of the progress we made helping middle class families. We balanced the state budget, helped Iowans rebuild from the devastating floods and storms in 2008, and created good-paying jobs in key industries like renewable energy.
During the interim, you will be receiving this newsletter every other week. Please contact me with any of your thoughts or concerns.
I look forward to serving you and please keep me informed of your concerns.
Iowa: Lowest Cost of Doing Business
According to leading television business network CNBC, Iowa has the lowest cost of doing business in the country and is the fourth best place overall to do business. Iowa was ranked ninth in the same survey in 2008, moving up five spots in just one year.
Their survey “Top States for Business” ranks Iowa first in the category of “cost of doing business.” The report said that cost is a major consideration when a company chooses a state. They considered the tax burden (including individual income and property taxes), business taxes, and gasoline taxes.
10th Annual Back to School Sales Tax Holiday: Aug 7 & 8
Iowa's 10th annual sales tax holiday will begin at 12:01 AM on Friday, August 7th, and end at midnight Saturday, August 8th. This does not include Sunday. All businesses open these days are required to participate.
Iowa enacted its sales tax holiday in 2000, the second state to do so. Although 16 states and the District of Columbia have similar programs, Missouri is the only nearby state with a sales tax holiday.
I-JOBS Funding to Help with Disaster Relief
The I-JOBS program has allocated $5 million to help Iowans whose homes were damaged or destroyed last summer due to flooding and tornadoes. The initiative will help speed the state’s recovery from the disasters while providing jobs to help the state’s economy recover from the national recession.
The eleven Entitlement Cities and the Councils of Governments that have been administering the state’s Jumpstart Program were eligible to apply for the funds.
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$70 Million in Flood Buyouts Approved
Iowa Suffers First H1N1 Flu Death
Assistance Still Available for 2008 Disaster Victimst
Projects Receive Great Places Funding
DNR Now Awarding Underground Storage Tank Grants
Bicycle Maps Available From DOT
Race to the Top Funds Available to Schools
Lottery Profits Raise $60 Million
136 Applications for I-JOBS Local Infrastructure Grants
Contact Gene:
gene.ficken@legis.state.ia.us
1827 218th Street
Independence, IA 50644
319-334-4905 (Home)
515-281-3221 (Capitol)
www.geneficken.com