Capitol Comments
The session entered its final month last week, and the outline of legislation necessary for adjournment is starting to take shape. The budget is beginning to take shape, as a few subcommittees have approved their numbers. Bills to create smoke-free public places and increase transportation infrastructure funding are still in process and should receive renewed attention this week. Last week I introduced legislation aimed at reducing property taxes, so we’ll begin the update there.
In This Issue
1. Tyler Introduces Legislation to Reduce Property Taxes
2. Illegal Immigration/Identity Theft Legislation Proposed
3. Council on Homelessness Approved by House
4. Capitol Visits
5. Coming Attractions
Tyler Introduces Legislation to Reduce Property Taxes
Last week I introduced property tax reduction legislation drafted after 10 months of research and discussion. It would establish a pilot project where ten cities that meet certain cost-saving criteria can access other revenue sources so long as they use the revenue to buy down property taxes. The legislation has the potential of significantly reducing property taxes. Rick Smith of the Cedar Rapids Gazette wrote Thursday on his blog “[a] young Cedar Rapids leader, Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, had introduced late-inning, landscape-changing legislation in the Iowa House that has the potential to bring deep relief” in property taxes.
When compared to other Midwest cities, Cedar Rapids and other Iowa cities levy much higher property tax per capita, but receive much lower overall revenue per capita. State-mandated reliance on property taxes to pay for all city functions is one factor leading to high property tax rates. I serve on the Legislative Property Tax Study Group, where a number of folks stated the need to revisit the services the state asks cities to provide, and the means we allow to provide them.
There are a number of reasons the proposed legislation is good public policy. First, it has the potential for major reduction in property taxes for Iowans in cities that choose to participate as a pilot. Second, it begins to move revenue decisions closer to home where elected officials are more accountable. Third, cities are able to more closely tailor their revenue mix to the local economy. Finally, it allows cities to more closely match the cost of the services to the users of the services.
The proposal is not meant to be a comprehensive fix to the property tax issue, but it is part of the solution and I believe it important to begin the conversation.
Illegal Immigration/Identity Theft Legislation Proposed
The House is considering legislation to address the federal government’s lack of action on illegal immigration. The proposal would require employers to verify the identity of each new employee hired to work in Iowa by examining a driver’s license or non-operator’s identification card. The employer must certify the identification has been examined and determined to be facially valid. The legislation allows the DOT to issue a non-operator’s identification card to a non-resident for the purpose of identity verification for employment. I have not made a decision on it, and am interested in your opinion. Please email me at tyler.olson@legis.state.ia.us with any feedback.
Council on Homelessness Approved by House
This week the House passed Senate File 2161, permanently establishing a Council on Homelessness. The council has specific tasks and reports to the Governor and Legislature on homeless issues. Housing, specifically affordable housing, has taken center stage in economic studies. The Council on Homelessness will advise the State on how to address the current crunch and ongoing concerns.
The Council is comprised of representatives from many state agencies, and individuals that are homeless or formerly homeless, and family members of individuals that are homeless. The Council is established to meet federal requirements for block grant dollars and coordinate action among state agencies. The House amended the bill to include specific items for the Council to study. These include housing issues for low-income seniors, persons with disabilities including mental illness and substance abuse concerns. It also will study integrating transportation solutions for work access and affordable rental housing and home finance.
Capitol Visits
Mary Tresnak with AEGONUSA visited Des Moines for a couple of days last week. Mary visited to educate legislators on a bill to eliminate stranger-originated life insurance (STOLI). The STOLI legislation is necessary for consumer protection, but the fix is very technical. The past two weeks I spent a lot of time with the experts to understand the problem and the solution.
Wednesday saw a delegation from Cedar Rapids to talk about state partnership in the city’s infrastructure plan. City Councilman Brian Fagan, Doug Neumann, County Supervisor Linda Langston, Dale Todd, Lois Buntz, Chuck Peters and Dan Baldwin all made the trip. The delegation met with legislators at the Capitol, and then we had dinner with Sens. Mike Gronstal, Rob Hogg, Jack Kibbie, Bill Dotzler, and Bob Dvorsky.
Coming Attractions
The 15th annual Fab Five Show Choir Extravaganza is Monday, April 7, and Tuesday, April 8, at the Paramount Theatre (123 Third Ave. SE). The show begins both nights at 7 p.m. The event features five award-winning show choirs: Linn-Mar High School’s “10th Street Edition,” Jefferson High School’s “West Side Delegation,” Kennedy High School’s “Happiness, Inc.,” Prairie High School’s “The Ambassadors” and Washington High School’s “Momentum.” Tickets are $12 through (319) 363-1888.
Find out what lurks behind the “door to collections” at the Johnson County Historical Society Museum, 860 Quarry Road, Coralville. The museum invites you to discover some of the hidden treasures of the Johnson County Historical Society this Wednesday, April 9, from noon to 1:30 p.m. when curator Leigh Ann Randak will conduct free backstage tours of the space. The tour is free; reservations and information are available through (319) 351-5738.
Have a great week!
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