Republicans debate up cigarette tax to break budget impasse
In Des Moines the Senate GOP concedes a floor debate on raising Iowa cigarette tax to help fund Medicaid and health care while Democrats press for higher revenue. Governor Vilsack supports tax rises. House Speaker Rants accuses Democrats of hostage tactics over salary funding.
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Gazette
Des Moines
Senate
Senate Gop
Stewart Iverson
Dows
Iowa
House
Christopher Rants
Sioux City
Gronstal
Nonmoney Iowa bills cleared one chamber and a committee
A list of nonmoney measures eligible for this year includes tougher sex offender protections, Iowa Values fund re creation, preschool expansion, interstate speed limit rise, mental health parity, deer overpopulation control, quality child care rating, anti spam and spyware efforts, school startup law changes, small business insurance pools, bottle deposit adjustments, E85 ethanol promotion, real estate license history checks, driver license renewal notices, boat fee increases, high school curriculum revisions, and home schooling driver education changes plus election law changes.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa Values Fund
Iowa Senators Eye Tougher Sex Offender Rules
A Senate subcommittee reviews harsher penalties for sex crimes against children including a life term for repeat offenders and a possible death penalty proposal for child murder during abduction or rape. Lawmakers debate supervision and parole controls while budget bills may house unsettled issues.
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Senators
House
Sex Offender Registry
Senate
Larry McKibben
Marshalltown
McKibben
Jesse
Mike Gronstal
Council Bluffs
Iowa 2005 legislative items die by funnel deadline
A summary of failed bills from the 2005 session lists proposals like banning gay marriage, capping malpractice damages, curbing vehicle contraband compartments, restricting traffic signal preemption, and outlawing false statements against candidates. The session saw limited successes including tougher antimeth laws, deregulated phone service, expanded military benefits, and preemption of local seed rules.
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Iowa
Iowa House
Iowa Senate
Tom Vilsack
Iowa House panel backs August 22 school start date
The House Education Committee approved a Senate bill to move the Iowa school startup date to August 22 for the 2006-07 year, but delayed implementation to July 1 2006 for one year to avoid disrupting districts with existing calendars.
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Rod Boshart
Ine
Wazette
Des Moines
Iowa
House
House Education Committee
Senate
Iowa Senate Approves Wind Energy Tax Credit Plan
The Iowa Senate backed Senate File 390 48 to 0 to grant tax credits for small rural wind energy producers and buyers. Credits total 1.5 cents per kWh or 4.50 per bill ion plus 1.44 per 1000 cubic feet of hydrogen, with limits by project size and ownership. The measure targets Iowa production for the grid, with credits available through 2020 and projects beginning by 2011
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Senate
Rod Boshart
Gazette
Des Moines
Iowa Senate
Iowa
Joe Bolkcom
Iowa City
House
David Miller
R-Batavia
Bill
California
Texas
Minnesota
Iowa Utilities Board
Riverside
SUN Country Airlines
How to follow Iowa legislative action and contact officials
Citizens can reach the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines at 50319 by mail and use the Senate switchboard at 515 281 3371 or House switchboard at 515 281 3221. For governor contact call 515 281 5211 or email tom.vilsack igov.state.ia.us. Major dates include the second funnel on Friday and target adjournment set for April 29.
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Des Moines
State Senate
State House
Iowa
GazetteOnline
Legis.state.ia
Igov
State
House
Senate
Legislative Service Bureau
Legislative Information Office
State Capitol
East 12Th and
Grand
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Rants
Insionline
Sen
Mike Crane
John Putney
R-Gladbrook
Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation
House Committee
Mary Mascher
Mascher
Putney
Scott Raecker
Urbandale
Mbureau
John
Rep
Democrat
Ony
Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino
Pera
Iversidy
Riversideresort.com
Akee
Laughlin
Nevada
Rew A
J Lasu
Yee
Tennessee Williams University Theatres
Enager
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