Iowa House rocks tax plan to aid farmers and attract GM investment
House leaders call a 206 million package risky as debate begins on raising the state sales tax from 4 to 5 percent for two years and increasing the cigarette tax by 8 cents a pack. Gov Branstad opposes a major tax increase while Senate opposition looms and local option taxes are included. The plan targets farm relief, machinery repeal to lure Saturn plant, and a 65 million interest subsidy for troubled farmers alongside a 20 million bonding pool for local infrastructure. Banks weigh in with cautious support as veto risks loom.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
House
Donald Avenson
D-Oelwein
Senate
Terry Branstad
Avenson
Iowa Bankers Association
Steig
GOP push to hold public hearing on tougher drunken driving laws
Iowa Republicans plan a public hearing to press Democrats to strengthen drunken driving rules. Proposals include lowering intoxication to 0.10 percent and a hard 30 day suspension, plus exploring deferred prosecutions. Gov Branstad backs stricter measures but no hearing date is set.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Judy Daubenmier
Des Moines
House
Iowa
John McIintee
Waterloo
McIntee
Terry Branstad
Branstad
Black Hawk County
Polk County
Tom Miller
McIintee
House Judiciary Committee
Dan Jay
D-Centerville
Iowa House backs minimum prices for farm commodities
Iowa would set a minimum price for corn and soybeans if aligned with other Farm Belt states, aiming for 80 percent of parity. Critics warn the plan risks losing access to world markets and harming cattle feed costs, while supporters call it bold and necessary to counter federal policy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Iowa
House
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Midwest
Wendell Pellett
R-Atlantic
Pellett
Panel grants foreclosed farmer more time for banks
A Des Moines Senate committee approved a voluntary moratorium bill letting state chartered banks hold foreclosed farm land for up to three years before selling. The measure, backed by farmers and lenders, aims to ease market glut and avoid driving land prices down. Banks seek flexibility to wait for better prices and may push for a five year limit mirroring national banks.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Senate
Steig
Bill would ease eligibility for Iowa beginning farmer loans
A House Agriculture Committee measure would expand low interest loan eligibility for beginning farmers. The bill, approved 19 to 0, allows tenant farmers with net worth up to 200000 and partnerships up to 400000 to access Iowa Family Farm Development Authority loans. It also includes fish farmers and other non traditional Iowa producers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
House Agriculture Committee
Iowa Family Farm Development Authority
Iowa
Iowa Senate committee backs broad local investment bill
The Iowa Senate Commerce Committee approves a plan allowing cities and counties to move deposits beyond county lines. A local government investment board would pool funds with five private managers to boost returns. The state would oversee protection and priority in bank failure liquidations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Des Moines
Senate Commerce Committee
Patrick Delahery
D-Davenport
Iowa
Senate
Delahery
Fore
Sen
Edgar Holden
Davenport
Federal Deposit Insurance Corp
Savings and Loan Associations
Also Mentioned on This Page
Gazette
General Motors Corp
Saturn
Randy Steig
Gop
Bob Shaw
D-Guthrie Center
Senate Agriculture Committee
Illinois
Nebraska
Indiana
Minnesota
Ohio
Missouri
Arkansas
USDA
Harold van Maanen
R-Oskaloosa
Vic Stueland
R-Grand Mound
Dale Cochran
Deagle Grove
Louis Muhlbauer
D-Manilla
The
AR -Jay GO
Jenn-Air
General Electric
Skylites
Ari
Scheirich Bayside
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