Articles Tagged: Pat Grassley

Concerns about the possible use of eminent domain have increased over the past year as three companies have proposed building underground pipelines across Iowa. At informational meetings around the state since November, many landowners have raised concerns about eminent domain, safety of the pipelines and whether the companies should get tax credits for projects that may make money for the owners but not help Iowans or the environment.

In Iowa, the average gas price Thursday was $3.924, but topped $4 in many rural areas according to AAA. However, Iowa lawmakers say they’ve heard little talk of suspending state motor fuel taxes -- 30 cents a gallon state tax on gas and ethanol, and 32.5 on diesel fuel.

Iowa’s state budget is even healthier than experts previously estimated, but over the next two budget years, once newly approved state income tax cuts go into effect, Iowa’s state revenues are projected to decline.

The investigation could be seen as politicians trying to “push their own agenda and inappropriately interfere with a separate but equal branch of government,” House Democrats said in a letter to the speaker and Judiciary Committee chairman.

Iowa workers will see a gradual reduction in the state tax on their paychecks over the next five years, thanks to legislation signed into law Tuesday by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. The tax cuts will be phased in over five years, at which point they will provide tax relief — and thus also reduce state revenue — by $1.9 billion.

A proposal that would shift sales taxes in Iowa and, in the process, finally finance the state fund for conservation and water quality projects appears to be on life support at the Iowa Capitol.

Proposed income tax cuts are on the move, and work on the next state budget has started earlier than normal.

The bill, one of three GOP tax relief plans under consideration, would phase in a four-year gradual reduction in Iowa’s personal income tax rate from the current top rate of 8.53 percent for the highest wage earners to 4 percent for all taxpayers.

K-12 school funding will grow to $3.6 billion, about 44 percent of the state’s general fund budget, under a package approved by the Iowa House.

Requiring fuel retailers to sell ethanol-blended products will not only spur demand for Iowa corn-based ethanol and produce savings for motorists, but promote its use beyond the state’s borders, backers said during debate in the Iowa House.

Republican leaders in both the Senate and House have said they expect to move quickly on the legislative process for their respective plans, likely starting each next week.

Jack Whitver, the Republican Senate majority leader from Ankeny, said he believes the proposal aligns with the tax plan that Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ proposed earlier this month.

To Alex Glenn, the director of human resources for Generation Next child development centers and preschools in Ventral Iowa, the best way to address what stakeholders have called a child care “crisis” is both simple and expensive. “I know this answer’s not going to appease a lot of people, but it’s money,” Glenn said.

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ campaign reported raising nearly $4.8 million in donations in 2021. Her highest profile Democratic challenger, Deidre DeJear, reported raising nearly $287,000.

Although the $13 million in tax revenue Iowa collects from sports betting is a relatively small pot of money in the state’s $9 billion-plus annual revenue stream, it has caught the attention of lawmakers.