Governor Vilsack and Democrats launched a verbal assault on Republican budget proposals this week – budget proposals that responsibly reflect the priority of Iowans without initiating risky budget schemes or creating future budget deficits. In effect, the Governor attacked Republicans for not spending enough taxpayer dollars on bloated government programs or the state bureaucracy.

The Governor’s attacks claiming Republicans are jeopardizing nursing home care are blatantly false. The republican budget proposal in fact increases funding for the monitoring of nursing homes and senior care facilities. Republicans have called for a $100,000 funding increase for the Department of Inspections and Appeals, the state agency charged with reviewing senior care facilities and programs. This funding increase will enable the Department to hire four additional inspectors to conduct activities across the state.

Legislative Democrats joined in the attacks as well, citing the Republican budget proposal would create unsafe neighborhoods. Again, these statements lack any truth. The Republican budget proposal calls for a funding increase for Iowa’s justice system. The Republican plan would increase funding $2.3 million this year so Iowa’s justice system can continue to prosecute violent offenders and other rehabilitation programs for those in need.

HSB 758 a bill relating to the taxation of property used by the Iowa National Guard

HSB 760 a bill establishing a community development program to aid certain. neighborhoods and communities and providing tax credits for income tax, franchise tax, and premiums tax for businesses contributing to community development projects.

HSB 761 a bill relating to individual income tax credits for individuals who graduated from an Iowa postsecondary educational institution and who reside and are employed in Iowa upon graduation.

HSB 762 a bill exempting the sale of livestock ear tags by certain nonprofit organizations from sales and use taxes.

HSB 763 a bill relating to the exemption from the sales and use taxes of feed consumption by elk and bison.

HSB 764 a bill relating to the computation of interest on a medical assistance debt.

HSB 765 a bill exempting sales to certain tax exempt nonprofit music organizations from sales and use taxes.

HSB 766 a bill relating to the assessment for property tax purposes of certain affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.

HSB 767 a bill relating to the assessment of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families for property tax purposes.

HSB 768 a bill relating to an alternative method of computing the research activities credit for purposes of state income tax and including an effective date.