‘Jobs & Economy’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 27th, 2009
Legislative leaders today unveiled a tax fairness plan that would reward work and provide needed tax cuts to middle-class Iowans. The proposal would simplify Iowa’s income tax system, cut tax rates for every Iowa taxpayer, and ensure that more than two thirds of Iowans would receive a tax cut or see no increase in the amount of taxes they pay each year.
“This plan helps Iowa’s middle-class families. It is a sharp contrast to the tax cuts approved by the Legislature in previous years which have largely benefited the wealthiest Iowans,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, Chair of the Senate’s Ways & Means Committee. “We intend to reward work and provide needed tax cuts to middle-class Iowa workers who are bearing the brunt of the national recession.”
Rep. Paul Shomshor of Council Bluffs, Chair of the House’s Ways & Means Committee, said there are many reasons why the Legislature should move this year to approve this tax reform.
“First, it will boost efforts by Iowa communities to attract good-paying jobs to our state. Second, it will make our tax system more simple and fair for Iowans,” Shomshor said. (more…)
Tags: business climate, federal deductibility, iowa jobs, iowa tax code, job creation, joe bolkcom, middle class tax cut, Paul Shomshor, tax relief
Category Jobs & Economy |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 23rd, 2009
In an effort to reduce foreclosures, the Iowa House today approved a bill to provide more protection and information for Iowans purchasing a home.
“In these tough economic times, middle class families deserve more financial security before taking out a mortgage. They need complete transparency from their mortgage broker or banker with full disclosure of fees, compensation and accurate loan information,” said State Representative Paul Shomshor of Council Bluffs, who won approval of the bill. (more…)
Tags: Banker, foreclosure, mortgage, Mortgage Broker, Paul Shomshor
Category Jobs & Economy |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 18th, 2009
The Iowa House today approved two bills to end wage discrimination in the workplace and encourage more women to serve on local boards.
“We live in a state where women made about 78 cents for every dollar men made in 2007 and our state ranks 37th among all states for gender wage equity,” said State Representative Vicki Lensing of Iowa City. “This law will send a positive message to all current and potential Iowans that we are a welcoming state to men and women, racial and cultural minorities and people with disabilities.”
Senate File 137 adds pay discrimination to Iowa’s Civil Rights Code. If Iowans perform jobs that require equal skills, effort and responsibility and are performed under the same working conditions, employers are prohibited from paying them lower wages. The bill covers businesses with four or more employees. (more…)
Tags: civil rights, equal rights, pay equity, wage discrimination
Category Jobs & Economy |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 13th, 2009
Led by State Representative Wayne Ford, D-Des Moines, the Iowa House approved House File 623 on Thursday to provide up to 26 weeks of additional unemployment benefits for laid off workers who are retraining for occupations that are determined to be areas where the number of available jobs is growing.
These added retraining benefits will not be charged against the employer who laid off the workers, because the funding comes from federal job training legislation, estimated to pump $71 million in additional funds into the state’s unemployment trust fund. (more…)
Tags: job training, training, unemployment, Veterans, Wayne Ford, worker training
Category Jobs & Economy, Uncategorized |
Author: deanfiihr Published: March 12th, 2009
In response to the Agriprocessors raid in Postville last year, the Iowa House today approved a bill to crack down on corporations and CEO’s who exploit and abuse workers.
“With an unemployment rate of 11.5 percent, families in Postville are all too familiar with the staggering cost of worker exploitation. We must hold corporations and CEO’s who break child labor laws and abuse their workers accountable. This bill is the first step in ensuring this situation never happens again in Iowa,” said State Representative John Beard of Decorah. (more…)
Tags: Agriprocessors, Immigration Raid, John Beard, Postville
Category Jobs & Economy |
