Federal budget cut hits local Iowa programs
Congress approved a leaner federal budget cutting more than 38 billion from programs, reducing Cedar Rapids funding by at least 15 percent this year. The city faced cuts to after school and rehab projects for flood damaged homes while local police hiring and college grants may suffer. Community leaders warned of public reaction as WIC and other aid face reductions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ann Radel
Capitol News Connection
Washington
Congress
Iowa
Cedar Rapids
Christine Butterfield
WIC
Cedar Rapids sales tax spending questioned as May vote nears
As the May 3 vote on extending Cedar Rapids local-option sales tax looms, questions arise about current revenue use. Through April 14 the tax since 2009 brought in 33 million dollars, while council spending reached 33.7 million on eligible programs. Council says expenditures align with voter intent allocating funds mainly to flood relief and tax relief.
Ballot language outlines flood relief and city projects
The 2009 ballot allocates ten percent to property tax relief and 90 percent to flood damaged housing recovery with matching federal funds. The 2011 ballot designates ten percent for tax relief, 50 percent for a Cedar River flood protection system, and 40 percent for street improvements. In Cedar Rapids, volunteers rebuilt homes, including a Church World Service project begun April 12 2010, with over 700 volunteers in six weeks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar River
Victor Anderson
Jerry Linde
Ankeny
Eighth Avenue
Cedar
Gulf health nears normal after BP spill but long-term effects linger
Scientists assess the Gulf of Mexico one year after the BP oil spill and rate overall health at 68 on a 1 to 100 scale. They note improvements since last year but flag troubling declines in the seafloor, dolphins, and oysters and cite mysterious dolphin and turtle deaths.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gulf Health
Bay Youwumi
Gulf of Mexico
Associated Press
Gulf
Rich pay less tax than two decades ago, IRS finds
Federal data show the 400 highest earners averaged about 345 million in 2007 with a 17 percent income tax rate, down from 26 percent in 1992, while typical taxpayers paid about 9.3 percent. Tax breaks for children, mortgages, college, and other taxes, plus a 15 percent capital gains rate, reduce overall liabilities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Associated Press
Washington
U.S
Internal Revenue Service
IRS
Obama proposes tax reform to end breaks and lower rates
President Barack Obama said in April he would end targeted tax breaks to lower rates and curb government borrowing. The proposal would raise about $1 trillion in tax revenue over the next 12 years.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Barack Obama
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