Environment funds collapse blamed on tracks and tax dispute
Iowa lawmakers say a 9 million shortfall from a gambling revenue tax fight delayed funding for soil conservation water monitoring and air quality programs. Dubuque Greyhound Park disputes the charge while opponents accuse tracks of greed and warn of layoffs in contractors and environmental work.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dubuque
Christopher Rants
Sioux City
Iowa Supreme Court
Tom Vilsack
Environment First
Roger Thomas
D-Elkader
Dan Rasmussen
R-Independence
Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association
Rasmussen
House
Chuck Gipp
R-Decorah
Craig Schoenfeld
Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino
Schoenfeld
Linn County board laments state cuts on 11 conservation projects
In Linn County the Soil and Water Conservation District says state cuts affect 11 projects some nearly finished or about to start. The board would have covered $62,762 total, with partners often paying half or less. Schoenfeld notes donations fund human services and fire departments, and cuts threaten continued community support as federal dollars amplify state funding.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Linn County
Soil and Water Conservation District Board
Niy Partners
Absentee Ballot Return Practices Highlight Iowa Law
Iowa law keeps absentee ballot nonreturn as a simple misdemeanor with few prosecutions. State officials note high return rates in some counties and record turnout for the off year. Democrats credit absentee use for turnout while Republicans cite mixed results in 2004 efforts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Towa
Chet Culver
Culver
Linn County
Linda Langenberg
Pottawattamie County
Adams County
Mark Daley
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Joe
Hannahs
Fsiks
Im Lewa
Iowa House Votes to Restrict Absentee Ballot Pickup
The Iowa House approved a measure to ban third parties from collecting absentee requests or ballots in most cases, allowing only immediate family members or bedridden voters to receive assistance. The bill also bars parties from designing their own ballot request forms and would require voters to deliver ballots to the county auditor or use a postage paid envelope. Critics warn the change could reduce turnout among elderly voters who lack postage or mobility.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa House
Johnson County
Tom Stockett
Reinventing State Government Could Hit Local Budgets Hard
Iowa cities and counties warn that Gov. Vilsack and GOP leaders aim to save 128 million this year by cutting state aid to locals by 57 million, about 23 percent. Local officials question feasibility of benefits package and fear cuts will burden property taxpayers. PSG argues reforms require new budgeting and resource management.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James 9. Lynch
Gazette
Des Moines
Iowa
Susan Dudkins
Iowa League of Cities
Public Strategies Group
Vilsack
PSG
Judkins
Easter
Kinney
Democrats press for higher education funding boost in Iowa
Iowa Democrats urge Republicans to increase higher education funding to avoid potential double-digit tuition hikes. House Minority Leader Dick Myers says GOP plan underfunds regent salaries by 25 million and cuts 1 million for community colleges and 2.8 million for state work study, while noting salaries may not be finalized and operations unchanged.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rod Bashart
Gazette
Des Moines
House
Dick Myers
Iowa City
Larson Named to National Drug-Free Communities Panel
President Bush appoints state Rep. Chuck Larson R Cedar Rapids to the national Advisory Commission on Drug-Free Communities. The commission guides the president through the National Drug Control Policy on expanding antidrug coalition efforts and protecting youth from substance abuse.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Larson
Drug Control Panel
The
Gazette
Des Moines
Bush
Chuck Larson
Cedar Rapids
National Advisory Commission
Iowa
Republican Party
Commission
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Rep
Independence
Decorah
Linn County Auditor
Gazette Map
Unda Linn County Auditor
Sus
State
Towan
Libby Jacobs
R-West
Iowa Senate
Stackett
Gore
Stockett
Lancenberg
Postase
Son County
Case
Tor Vilsack
John Easter
Iowa State Association of Counties
Anne Spray Kinney
Wrter
James
Gazettecommunications.com
Co Federated Credit Nny
Ewth
Chase
Theme
Peck’s
Eere Ey
Peck
Scotts
Windsacks
Blairs Ferry Rd
Blairs Ferre & Edgewood AG
Pecksgreenthumb
Sats
Dcfcunet.com
NCAA
Alhive
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