Vander Linden Weekly Update

Rep. Guy Vander Linden (R)

Last weekend, Governor Branstad extended the tax filing deadline for farmers to April 30. This will provide Iowa’s farmers some extra time while Senate Democrats figure out whether they want to pull the rug out from under more than 177,000 Iowa taxpayers.

Pressure continues to build on Senate Democrats thanks to the many Iowans who are reaching out and making sure the Senate knows how important it is and that it needs to be settled quickly.

For tax year 2014, more than 177,000 Iowa taxpayers took advantage of coupling.

Coupling has never been a partisan issue. Since Republicans took the House majority in 2011, the annual coupling bill hadn’t received a single “NO” vote in the House or the Senate until this year.

Passed by the House this week

Protecting victims of human trafficking and kidnapping: House File 2278 extends the statute of limitations for human trafficking or kidnapping crimes to 10 years after a victim turns 18. This bill will provide recourse for victims of human trafficking by allowing more time to prosecute those who abuse children.

Protecting trafficking victims, families, and children from identity theft: House File 2401 penalizes abusers who apply for or use a credit card in a minor’s name. Practices such these have become common practice for those who traffic and abuse children for financial gain. This bill will help to fight against these actions.

Career and Technical Education Reform: House File 2392 establishes opportunities for collaboration between high school, community college, and industry to create career pathways for students to be successful.

Making juvenile court records confidential: Too often, a young person’s opportunities for employment, housing, or education can be hindered by a minor crime that’s reflected on their criminal record. Senate File 2288 will help those who made a mistake when they were young, by making most juvenile records confidential for nonviolent crimes, unless a judge says otherwise.