Iowa House of Representatives

Key legislators from the Iowa House and Senate say the 2008 session has made or is about to make major accomplishments in making Iowa a leader in the new energy economy while making the state more energy independent.

“These measures will continue the progress we’ve made in renewable energy and move us a closer to our goal of energy independence,” said State Representative Donovan Olson, Boone, the chair of the House Environmental Protection Committee. “From good-paying jobs to a cleaner environment to added value to our agricultural products, renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts are good for our state.” (more…)

By a unanimous vote today, the Iowa House made sure that Iowans will not have to pay Iowa income taxes on the rebate checks they will be getting from the federal government this spring. It is estimated that rebates to Iowans will total about $1 billion.

“Our top priority is to help middle class families and the bill we approved today will provide $67 million in income tax relief for Iowans. The rebate checks will help Iowans cope with rising health care and record high gas prices,” said State Representative Paul Shomshor, D-Council Bluffs. (more…)

Committee Highlights

Economic Growth @ 2:30, Room 22 — Roya Stanley, Director of the Iowa Office of Energy Independence (joint meeting with Senate)

Public Safety @ 2:30, Room 19 — HF 663 on government use of child fingerprints

Subcommittee Highlights

8 a.m. — HSB 533 for incorporating intervention program funding into the state foundation aid formula

8 a.m. — HSB 516 regarding authorized access to certain dependent adult abuse information.

8:30 a.m. — HSB 530, voluntary or court-ordered school desegregation plans under the state’s open enrollment law

11:30 a.m. — HF 2058, establishing a shaken baby syndrome prevention program

Noon @ Crow’s Nest — HF 42, exempting film production services from the sales and use taxes

“We made great strides last year expanding our job creation efforts by focusing on targeted industries like advanced manufacturing, information solutions, life sciences and alternative energy. We will continue our focus this year on creating good-paying jobs that help middle class families.  Around 500,000 Iowans will also benefit from a lower state tax bill as they fill out their 2007 tax returns in the coming months.” — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Some of the initiates to help middle class families include:

• 64,000 working families will receive a larger tax refund this year after a $10 million expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which also made the credit refundable. Iowans with questions about the EITC can call 800-367-3388. (Senate File 590, 2007)
• 430,000 seniors will find a reduction in their state income taxes. Iowans over 65 will see a 32% decrease in taxes on social security income and won’t pay any state tax on the first $18,000 ($24,000 for couples) of other income (Senate File 2408, 2006)
• Minimum wage rose on January 1 to $7.25 and 257,000 Iowans will benefit (House File 1, 2007) (more…)

  

The Generation Iowa Commission released their recommendations today to keep more young people in Iowa.  The commission was created by the 2007 Legislature after a record number of young people took office in the Iowa House of Representatives. 

State Representatives Elesha Gayman of Davenport, Andrew Wenthe of Hawkeye, McKinley Bailey of Webster City, and Tyler Olson of Cedar Rapids, are all 30 years old or younger and sponsored the Generation Iowa bill.

Recommendations include: (more…)