Capitol Digest 2-23-10

A roundup of legislative and Statehouse items of interest for Tuesday, Feb. 23:

STREAMLINED SALES TAX:: Iowa captured about $12 million in sales tax receipts last year and more than $30 million over the past three years as one of about two dozen states working together to collect tax on out-of-state or online purchases. Mark Schuling, director of the state Department of Revenue, said that figure could grow by $40 million to $60 million annually if the initiative were adopted nationwide. During his annual report to the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Schuling noted that 98 percent of Iowa taxpayers pay their state income taxes voluntarily and about 60 percent receive a yearly refund. Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, a university economist, said better education is needed because the 60 percent of taxpayers receiving refunds are effectively providing an interest-free loan to the state of Iowa.

VETERANS' HELP: Gov. Chet Culver made a push Tuesday for legislative passage of four separate bills designed to assist Iowa veterans and their military families. The governor called on the Senate to approve a House-passed “trailing spouse” bill that would expand unemployment benefits for spouses who are forced to leave their jobs when their spouse receives a military reassignment or deployment. Culver also encouraged passage of a bill to exempt veteran's benefits from state income tax, a modification of visitation rights for veterans, and for the addition of the representation by veterans on state commissions. The governor noted that more than 12,000 Iowans have been mobilized since 2002, and this year 3,500 more Iowa troops will be deployed.

CANCER TRIAL COVERAGE: Cancer survivors, doctors and cancer victim advocacy groups cheered Tuesday at the end of a three-year battle when Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation requiring insurance companies to continue coverage for routine medical care when cancer patients participate in approved cancer clinical trials. Dave Hubler, a blood cancer survivor, said he is alive thanks to a new drug tested in a clinical trial and, thanks to House File 2075, thousands of Iowans will be given the same chance. “Today is about partnership, collaboration and perseverance,” said Dr. Dick Deming, a Mercy Hospital cancer doctor. Backers said the legislation was the result of several years of negotiations with the insurance industry and will ensure that people being treated for cancer won't face barriers.

KIRKWOOD REPRIEVE: The Iowa Senate voted 50-0 to place a statute of Green Revolution founder Norman Borlaug in the U.S. Capitol. Each state is allowed to have two statutes on display and Iowa currently has statutes of former Iowa Govs. and U.S. Sens. Samuel Kirkwood and James Harlan. Originally, Senate Joint Resolution 2002 called for replacing the Kirkwood statute with one of Borlaug, but senators decided to keep the Kirkwood statute on display and move the Harlan statute to the Iowa Statehouse when it is replaced by the Borlaug statute.

VOLUNTEER HONOREES: Seven Iowans were inducted into the Volunteer Hall of Fame on Tuesday during ceremonies in the Statehouse rotunda. Vince and Judy Else of Nodaway were honored in the family category, while individual category inductees included Mary Avelleyra of Fort Dodge, Rex Eno of Cedar Rapids, Ying Sa of Des Moines, Ray Strekal of Perry and Eric Wilson of West Des Moines. The award presentations by Iowa first lady Mari Culver were held in conjunction with the fifth annual Volunteer Awareness Day.

CANDIDATE FILING STARTS MARCH 1: Iowans planning to run for state and federal office in the June 8 primary have from March 1 to 19 to file their nominations papers, according to Secretary of State Michael A. Mauro. Candidates for county office must file between March 8 and 31. Candidates for state and federal offices must file with the Secretary of State's Office. Candidates for county offices must file with their county auditor. In both cases, nomination papers must be received by 5 p.m. on the last day of the filing period. Candidates who are interested in running for office as a candidate with either the Democratic or Republican Party must file nomination papers to have their names placed on the Primary Election ballot. Candidates who are not running with the state's political parties are not eligible to appear on the Primary Election ballot. They must file during the General Election filing periods in July and August. Required nomination papers, a list of offices that will appear on the ballot, and detailed candidates guides are available on the Secretary of State's website. This page can be accessed directly at www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/candidates/index.html. Additional information for voters and candidates regarding the 2010 Primary Election can be found at www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/voterinformation/primary2010.html.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There's some sense that people are celebrating too soon.” – U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., in assessing the 2010 election prospects for Republicans while campaigning and raising money in Iowa on behalf of GOP legislative candidates.