Governor Reynolds Discusses Her “Flat Tax” Proposal
(Le Mars) — During her “Condition of the State” address to state lawmakers, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced a plan to incorporate a “flat tax” structure. Since that time, the proposal has garnered a lot of attention, both in the state capitol building, and throughout Iowa. This past Friday, Governor Reynolds made a visit to the KLEM radio offices. Among other topics that were discussed, Reynolds focused on her “flat tax” proposal. Many people are wondering if the state of Iowa can generate enough revenue to pay for all the services through a flat tax proposal?
Reynolds says she is confident a flat tax program will work for the state of Iowa.
The state legislature is moving ahead quickly on the governor’s tax plan. The Iowa House is following the governor’s program by passing legislation calling for a four percent flat tax rate. The Iowa Senate, however, is looking at a plan calling for a three-point-six percent flat tax rate. Governor Reynolds disputes the claim from Democrats saying the only reason Iowa has a surplus of revenue funds is because of the federal money that went to the state because of COVID-19.
Reynolds says others are taking notice of Iowa’s success, such as the U-S News and World Report magazine.
Governor Reynolds says if we can address the worker shortage in Iowa, then Iowa’s revenue will continue to grow.
Reynolds says she believes Iowans can better spend, and manage, their own hard-earned money better than any state bureaucracy. The entire interview with Governor Reynolds can be found on the feature page of the KLEM website (www.klem1410.com)
Jeneary Says Iowa House Is Working On Flat Tax Proposal
(Le Mars) — Republican State House Representative, Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars says the Iowa House is close to passing a flat tax program that is similar to Governor Reynolds’ proposal.
Jeneary serves on the Public Safety Committee and talks about a bill about to be debated on the House floor involving the use of your driver’s license photo.
Man Convicted Of Rigging Hot Lotto Gets Early Release From Prison
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Board of Parole has agreed at its meeting on January 20th to the early release for the man convicted of rigging the Hot Lotto. Eddie Tipton was serving 25 years on a charge of ongoing criminal conduct. Tipton was the information security director for the Multi-State Lottery Association based in Clive, and admitted he wrote a program where he could predict the winning numbers for a jackpot. He was caught when an anonymous trust tried to cash in a 14-million-dollar winning ticket in 2010.
Bottles, Gun Shots Fly At Closing Time In Downtown Des Moines
(Des Moines, IA) — One man has been arrested and police are looking for additional suspects after several incidents as bars were closing for the night in downtown Des Moines Sunday morning. Police say there were several fights in the Court Avenue area and bottles were thrown. Twenty-five-year-old Luis Manriquez was taken into custody after he pulled a gun on a security guard at a bar. Manriquez is being held in the Polk County Jail on charges of going armed with intent, possession of a deadly weapon, display of a deadly weapon, public intoxication, and harassment.
DNR Investigates Spill Of 75 Hundred Gallons Of Fuel At Ag Supply Business
(Eldora, IA) — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a Hardin County spill of about 75 hundred gallons of fuel. The D-N-R was notified Friday that the unleaded gasoline had leaked from a self-fueling station in Eldora. Fumes from the spill forced a nearby bank to close all day on Friday. Contractors started removing concrete from the location so the D-N-R could determine the exact cause of the leak and the total amount of fuel that was spilled. Any soil that was contaminated will be removed and taken to the county landfill.
Iowa Man Turns Himself In To Fargo Police After Allegedly Robbing Bank
(Fargo, ND) — Police in Fargo, North Dakota say a 57-year-old Iowa man turned himself in after allegedly robbing a bank last week. Witnesses say Troy Michael Maynard walked into a Wells Fargo branch just before 3:00 p-m Thursday and demanded cash. He reportedly ran off after getting about 16 hundred dollars. Shortly afterward, police say Maynard walked into a Fargo store and asked a worker to call the police. He surrendered to the first officer who responded. Maynard is said to be homeless and had been living in Council Bluffs.
