by Ken Rozenboom IN THE LEGISLATURE Greetings from the beautiful Iowa State Capitol! We are fast approaching April 17, the 100th day of the legislative session, meaning the end of the 87th General Assembly must be getting close. The capitol is getting a little quieter, with fewer and fewer visitors. But there is still important […]
by Guy Vander Linden Sales Tax Exemption on Textbooks Clears House Committee House Study Bill 683 provides a sales tax exemption for college textbooks starting this July. The bill exempts instructional materials and requires that those materials be required for a class at a post-secondary institution located in Iowa. The bill defines instructional materials as […]
by Ken Rozenboom Everyone is quietly anticipating the end of the 2018 session as negotiations on tax reform and appropriations between the two chambers are continuing. As we begin to think about adjournment, I’d like to reflect on some important accomplishments signed by the governor this week: The “Health Care Savings and Associations Expansion Bill” […]
by Larry Sheets Iowa GOP leaders ‘very close’ to setting budget targets but issues on how to deliver tax relief and fund priorities in a sustainable way are standing in the way of starting the process for shutting down the current session. This work is closely tied to intended tax cuts for 2019. The House […]
by Guy Vander Linden EPA Announces it Will Put the Brakes on Obama-Era Rules On Monday, April 2, 2018, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it would be modifying Obama administration’s going out the door rule update concerning motor-vehicle corporate fuel economy (CAFE) requirements that have stringent gas mileage rules that would […]
Sigourney, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst held a town hall meeting at the Sigourney Community Center on Tuesday. Ernst started off the question and answer session thanking the approximately 50 individuals for attending, considering the cold and rainy conditions. Jerry Henderson from West Liberty Iowa asked about the Farm Bill negotiations. Ernst said that […]
April 2, 2018 – Assistant Wapello County Attorney Andrew Ritland has announced he is running for the Republican nomination for Mahaska County Attorney. Current County Attorney James Blomgren has decided not to run for another term, creating a vacancy in the office. After graduating from the University of Iowa College of Law with high distinction, […]
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Iowa House 79 Candidate Nick Ryan has had an interest in politics and policy making for several years now. He’s been active with Republican campaigns and worked at fundraising for several conservative candidates. Ryan decided to step out of that shadow to tell his vision for Iowan’s. Voters in District 79 will […]
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Samantha Keith is running for the Iowa House District 79 in the wake of Guy Vander Linden’s retirement announcement. Keith is a Democrat in a highly Republican district and will be facing Republican Dustin Hite and Libertarian Nick Ryan. Keith said her desire to run comes from her long-time interest in politics, […]
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Connie Van Polen has been with the Mahaska County Treasurers Office for 23 years, and she’s running for Mahaska County Treasurer after Sone Scott announced her retirement. Van Polen was hired by Arlene Tucker in 1995 and was appointed to accounting deputy in 1996. Sone Scott promoted Van Polen to First Deputy […]
