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Iowa Democrats complain about GOP state tax cuts and elimination of payments to cities and towns

The following is a legislative update from Iowa Democrats:

A House committee has taken another step forward on a plan that could leave Iowans with higher property taxes and fewer services, like police and fire.

The plan, offered by Republican leaders, would cut the state’s property tax backfill to schools, cities, and counties. The backfill was promised to local communities in 2013 as part of a commercial and industrial property tax cut that would have led to millions in lost revenues to local governments.

According to a recent survey, 93% of local officials said they will have to raise property taxes if the state ends the backfill, essentially shifting the commercial and industrial tax burden to homeowners and farmers. Local officials also said the plan will result in a cut of services offered to Iowans, cuts to public safety including police and fire, and increased class sizes in our schools.

House Study Bill 678, which has passed a sub-committee and now heads to full committee, would scale back payments to the backfill that is currently at $152 million to just $25 million over the next several years.

More Funding to Help Veterans Signed into Law

Legislation making it easier for the state of Iowa to help its veterans was signed into law last week. This legislation increases the amount of money that can be spent out of the Veterans Trust Fund from $300,000 per year to $500,000.

The Veterans Trust Fund was created in 2003 and is designed to assist veterans with services like dental work and car repairs. The legislation, Senate File 2366, also adds preventing homelessness to the list of acceptable expenditures. Currently, the Iowa Lottery transfers $2.5 million to the fund every year.

Veterans may apply for these funds at their local county veteran’s office. A list of these offices and their locations can be found here: https://va.iowa.gov/counties.

Now with the Governor’s signature, the legislation will become effective on July 1, 2018.

Paddling Safety on Iowa’s Waters

Iowa’s waterways are thawing and will soon be ready for canoeing, kayaking, and other water sports. While some paddlers are eager to get back on the water, it is important to remember the temperature of Iowa waterways are still cold. Air temperatures are warming up but it will be several weeks before rivers and lakes in Iowa are ideal temperature for water sports.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has several safety tips for paddling in cold water:

• Wear a life jacket
• Dress for the water temperature which is often colder than the air temperature
• Attend a class to improve your boat control skills
• Watch out for piles of debris that can pull paddlers under
• Use the buddy system and don’t paddle alone
• Bring a change of clothes in case you get wet, decreasing the chances of getting hypothermia
• Let others know where you will be paddling and how long you plan to be gone
For more information on paddling visit, http://www.iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking.

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