News from the State House

by State Representative Patti Ruff

The schedule at the Capitol is settling into a chaotic rhythm. Bills are starting to pass committees and we are sporadically seeing floor debate in both chambers. I will try and update you on some of the happenings in Des Moines.
Last year, 843 eligible disabled veterans or surviving spouses took advantage of a new law that exempted them from paying property taxes. However, an additional 200 veterans who are not 100% disabled, but are determined to be unemployable by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, applied but were denied.
The House Veterans Affairs Committee passed legislation, which was introduced by the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, which fixes this omission. Despite the veterans not being rated 100% disabled, they do receive disability payments at the highest level due to the nature of their disabilities as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
This bill has now moved to Ways and Means, which I will be sitting on this subcommittee. If passed, this law will be retroactive to March, 2014.
State grants are now available to help small communities that are looking to renovate or deconstruct abandoned buildings. Cities can apply for grant money to assist with building deconstruction, renovation, removal and inspections, or environmental assessments. These grants are awarded annually on a competitive basis. Grant applications are due by February 27, 2015. Additional information on the program can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/LandStewardship/WasteManagement/DerelictBuil....
Another point of interest is thousands of hard-working families may not realize they are eligible for a refundable tax credit when they file their 2014 federal and state income taxes this spring. With more than 222,000 Iowans benefiting, Iowa’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is designed to help lower income families while initiating work. As a family earns more income, they become eligible for a larger EITC until they approach self-sufficiency.  According to the Internal Revenue Service, about 25% of eligible workers don’t claim the credit.  For more information or assistance on the EITC, call 1-800-829-8482 to find your local tax assistance site or log on to www.irs.gov.
On Thursday morning I had the opportunity to have breakfast with Tim Recker and Don Elsbernd who were in town for the Iowa power farm show. I had to apologize to Tim and Don for the short meeting since I had to be on the House floor at 8:30 for debate that day.
Since last summer I have been in contact with the DOT discussing the intersection by Monona on Hwy 18. I confirmed this week that the redesign of the intersection by Kwik Star will be budded out this spring and construction will be done this year. I have also requested a speed study to be done as well. There is a petition currently circulating at Monona businesses to get the DOT to reduce the speed on 18 through this intersection as well.
My next forum will be  February 21 at Luigi’s in Oelwein at 9 a.m. This is the multi-county Farm Bureau forum with several area legislators in attendance.
Until next week!