Iowa legislature aims at sweeping property tax and education reforms
Governor proposes cutting commercial and industrial property values by 20 percent over four years, replacing property tax revenue with state funding, fully funding Homestead and Elderly Disabled tax credits, and shifting school finance to 100 percent state aid. Proposals include halving the 4 percent valuation growth cap, elevating teaching through new leadership and pay, five career paths for teachers, recruitment incentives, college or career-ready credits, and workforce and residency program funding. A Certificate of Merit law and non economic damages cap are also proposed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Governor's Office
Branstad Budget Details Net Appropriations and Surplus Projections
The document outlines Fiscal 2014 to 2019 budget figures with net appropriations rising from 6.538 to 6.741 billion, projected surpluses of 874.2 million in 2014 and 1.076 billion in 2015, plus sums for Regent institutions, community colleges, and human services, alongside multiyear priority education reform funding. Reactions to Branstad's budget are noted in Inside 8A.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Regent
Justice Systems
Judicial Branch
Legislative Branch
Iowa City school board pushes diversity policy amid clash
The Iowa City School District moved a proposed diversity policy closer to adoption after a 4 to 3 board vote on the second reading. The plan ties school lunch program poverty levels to cap city wide growth and sets capacity rules for high and junior high schools, sparking heated debate and a rowdy crowd.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa City
Cedar Rapids considers panhandling curbside ban
Cedar Rapids City Council weighs a law to ban aggressive panhandlers and people asking for donations at intersections ramps and medians. The move aims to curb sidewalk solicitations and pedestrian disruption across the city.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Branstad Calls For Property Tax Relief And Education Reform
Gov. Terry Branstad urged property tax relief and education reform in a Condition of the State address to a full House chamber. He received five standing ovations despite bipartisan questions from lawmakers, especially Democrats, about his proposed methods. A group of about 200 protesters gathered outside the chamber.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlie Neibergal
Iowa
Terry Branstad
Statehouse
Des Moines
ES Moines
Branstad
General fund appropriations legislature Iowa page 8A
Iowa Department of Management reports general fund appropriations in the legislature on page 8A. The notice outlines allocations across departments, highlighting funding requests, statutory requirements, and timing for approval or adjustment by state authorities.
New YorkPasses Tough Gun Law After Massacre
Governor Cuomo signs New York’s strict gun restrictions the same day the Legislature passes the measure. The law expands the assault weapon ban and requires background checks for ammunition purchases, praised by supporters as a model for the nation and criticized by gun rights advocates as extreme.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Albany
N.Y
Washington
New York
Connecticut
Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo
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Panhandling Ordinance
France
Mali
Bamako
Grant Wood
Xavier
Nelson
Matt Nelson
Walmart
U.S
the Gazette
Mike Wiser
Gazette Des
Iowa Department of Management
GUNS
Page SA
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