I am pleased the House took
this action. This comes on the heels of our phase-out of Social
Security and pension taxes, as well as our added funding commitment
to the Senior Living Trust Fund, which allows seniors the
flexibility and independence of living on their own.
HOUSE
STATE GOVENRMENT COMMITTEE MOVES TO BAN TOUCHPLAY, ANOTHER USES ITS
FUNDS
The House State Government
Committee this week moved to ban TouchPlay machines from
restaurants, bars, grocery stores and convenience stores. The
machines would need to be removed within 30 days of the bill’s
signing into law.
The move comes as the issue
has begun to heat up, with passionate feelings on both sides of the
issue.
The bill banning TouchPlay
is now eligible for full debate on the House floor. Because this is
the Legislature’s “funnel” week, all bills not related to taxes or
spending needed to come out of committee.
This bill is now a mechanism
for the Legislature to keep the TouchPlay issue alive for debate. A
similar measure passed through the Senate as well.
A number of amendments are
expected on the bill, including more regulation of the machines, or
a limitation of TouchPlay exclusively to bars. It is unclear what
the final bill will actually look like, or if it even changes at
all.
In other TouchPlay news, a
House committee passed a bill that would use the revenues generated
from the machines, assuming the bill is amended and TouchPlay
remains, which would go toward rural infrastructure for economic
development. “Rural” is defined as counties with a population of
25,000 people or less. According to the 2000 census, 75 Iowa
counties have a population under 25,000.
What do you think of the
TouchPlay issue? Should they remain as is? Should there be further
restrictions? Or, should they be banned all together? I would like
to hear your thoughts on the issue.
IT’S
THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN... TAX TIME
The Iowa Democratic Party
and Republican Party of Iowa announced they have joined together to
record a Public Service Announcement (PSA) encouraging taxpayers to
donate to the political party of their choice on this year’s Iowa
taxes. Former Governor Bob Ray and Lt. Governor Sally Pederson
recorded the PSA, which is running statewide.
“Monies collected from the
check off go directly to the political party,” said Republican Party
of Iowa Chairman Ray Hoffmann. “This is a great way to donate—the
check off does not increase your taxes or decrease your refund.”
“This is an easy way to
donate to political parties at absolutely no cost to you,” said Iowa
Democratic Party Chair Sally Pederson. “As tax time approaches,
please remind your friends and family to check the box and
contribute to the political party of their choice.”
Checking off your taxes
is easy. When you fill out the standard Iowa 1040 Long Form the
check off can be found on Step 11 of the form. On Iowa Form 1040A
(short form), the Political Check-off can be found immediately above
the signature on the left side of the form. The tax check-off
contribution does not increase the amount of taxes owed or decrease
the refund.
Ways
& Means Update
Bills introduced in committee this week:
HF 2540-
An Act relating to and making appropriations involving state
government, including provisions affecting agriculture and
natural resources and providing fees.
Bills passed out of
committee this week:
HF
2540-
An Act relating to and making appropriations involving state
government, including provisions affecting agriculture and
natural resources and providing fees.
Week
in Review Archives