Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to help Iowa taxpayers by “coupling” Iowa’s tax code with recent federal changes for 2016, the taxes Iowans must pay this April. Thousands of Iowans want to use these provisions, which have been available to them in previous years, to lower their state taxes.
Senate File 428 will benefit nearly 24,000 farmers and small business owners by allowing them to take advantage of a provision called Section 179 expensing. Federal law allows these taxpayers to take a larger deduction on equipment they have purchased as an investment in their operations. If Iowa “couples” with the federal tax code, these folks also get to take a similar deduction on their state tax returns.
The Republican chair of the Senate’s tax-writing committee says he does not intend to support the legislation this year, but I am not giving up. Thousands of Iowans want to use these provisions, which have been available to them in previous years, to lower their state taxes.
Last year, tax coupling legislation helped:
More than 39,000 Iowa teachers who purchase supplies for their classrooms with their own money.
More than 43,000 Iowans who own their homes, by allowing them to deduct mortgage insurance premiums from their state taxes.
More than 18,000 Iowans who are going to college or getting training to improve their skills and better their lives.
More than 45,000 working Iowans who are married with three or more children, by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Legislative Democrats alarmed by potential impact of deep, mid-year budget cuts
DES MOINES – Democratic leaders of the Iowa House and Senate raised concerns about the impact of deep, mid-year budget cuts proposed today by legislative Republicans.
State Sen. Joe Bolkcom, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stated:
“The deep, mid-year budget cuts endorsed today by Republican legislators are mean-spirited and will harm Iowa college students, working families and seniors. The last thing we should do is cut services that Iowans depend on, including higher education, job training, public safety and human services.
“Second, this unnecessary budget mess could have been avoided if Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans had focused more time and energy over the past six years on strengthening our schools, building the skilled workforce that Iowa employers need and improving quality of life for all Iowans. We need to make the economy work for Iowa families, especially in our small towns and rural areas.
“The Republican proposal unveiled today sends the wrong message about the future of our state. The budget slashing by Governor Branstad, Lt. Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators leaves the fastest growing part of the state budget off the table: excessive tax credits. It is time to drain the swamp.”
State Rep. Chris Hall of Sioux City, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, stated:
“The Iowa GOP has lost all credibility on budgeting. After giving away the state’s budget surplus, policies enacted by the Branstad-Reynolds Administration have slowed the state’s economy and left the budget in the red.
“Republicans’ failed fiscal policies aren’t working for Iowa families or growing the state’s economy. Tax breaks for corporations now top $500 million annually. Iowa would not be making cuts if the GOP had used better judgment in managing the state budget. The unfortunate result is Iowa students and working families are being forced to pay for failed Republican policies again.”
Fourteen Senate Democrats want to grow Iowa’s economy with an initiative to increase our investment in one of our most successful incentives: Iowa’s solar energy tax credit.
Between 2012 and 2016, the credit has led to more than 2,500 solar energy projects. An investment of about $16 million in state funds has generated more than $130 million in private investment, while creating more than 1,000 jobs throughout Iowa.
Iowa Senate News Release For immediate release: December 9, 2016
(Des Moines) Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg has released the committee assignments for the Democratic members of the Iowa Senate for the 2017 session of the Iowa Legislature.
“A lot of groundwork is done during committee meetings, where there are opportunities for open discussion and bipartisan work,” Hogg said. “I’m disappointed Senate Republicans have eliminated the Economic Growth Committee, but we will look for ways to stand up for good jobs, good benefits and strong community schools across the state.”
The two-year 87th General Assembly will begin on Monday, January 9, 2017.
The new Iowa Senate Democratic leadership includes (from left) State Senators Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City (assistant leader), Rita Hart of Wheatland (assistant leader), Bill Dotzler of Waterloo (assistant leader), Liz Mathis of Robins (assistant leader), Amanda Ragan of Mason City (Senate Democratic Whip), Matt McCoy of Des Moines (assistant leader), Herman Quirmbach of Ames (assistant leader) and Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids (Senate Democratic Leader).
Iowa Senate News Release
For immediate release: November 19, 2016
Hogg elected leader of Senate Democrats
[Des Moines] At a Statehouse meeting Nov. 19, Democratic members of the Iowa Senate unanimously elected State Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids to serve as the Iowa Senate’s Democratic Leader.
Senator Hogg released the following statement:
“I’m honored my Senate Democratic colleagues selected me as their leader in this difficult time. During the 2017 legislative session, we will stand up for Iowans who need state government to work for all of us. One reason Iowa is such a great state is our dedicated public employees—teachers, corrections officers, state troopers, DOT workers, DHS workers, DNR workers, city and county staff, and many others—who work hard every day to help Iowans.
“We will stand up for working people who seek higher wages and better benefits, for families who need strong schools and affordable college and job training, for small business owners who need skilled workers and a level playing field, for seniors who need help to stay in their own homes, for veterans who need health care, for city residents and farmers looking for clean water and clean energy solutions, and for vulnerable Iowans who need a safety net to maintain their health and dignity.
“In contrast to most other states, Iowa’s state budget is in good shape. We want to keep it that way, and will try to prevent Governor Branstad and legislative Republicans from repeating the sort of mistakes that bankrupted Kansas, undermining their schools, health care and economy.”
Senator Hogg is in his third term in the Iowa Senate, after serving two terms in the Iowa House. He currently chairs the Government Oversight Committee, is vice-chair of the Judiciary Committee, and serves on the Appropriations, Education and Ways & Means committees. Following the devastating floods and tornadoes of 2008, Senator Hogg chaired a special Rebuild Iowa Committee focused on helping communities recover.
A fourth generation Iowan, Rob Hogg is a lawyer in private practice in Cedar Rapids. He and his wife, Kate, have three children and are members of Christ Episcopal Church.
Senate Democrats also elected Amanda Ragan of Mason City as Senate Democratic Whip, and six assistant leaders: Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, Bill Dotzler of Waterloo, Rita Hart of Wheatland, Liz Mathis of Robins, Matt McCoy of Des Moines and Herman Quirmbach of Ames.
In addition, the meeting was the first for newly elected State Senator Nate Boulton of Des Moines.
The 2017 session of the 87th Iowa General Assembly will convene on Monday, January 9, 2017.
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The new Iowa Senate Democratic leadership includes (from left) State Senators Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City (assistant leader), Rita Hart of Wheatland (assistant leader), Bill Dotzler of Waterloo (assistant leader), Liz Mathis of Robins (assistant leader), Amanda Ragan of Mason City (Senate Democratic Whip), Matt McCoy of Des Moines (assistant leader), Herman Quirmbach of Ames (assistant leader) and Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids (Senate Democratic Leader).
