GAS TAX
Branstad reiterated the preference to delaying the potential increase in gas taxes, but State Democratic leaders suggested tax increase could be considered if lawmakers failed to find sufficient savings in the Department of transport.
I'm not positive it's completely off the table, said Senate majority leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs.
A panel of citizens appointed by the Governor earlier this year proposed increasing fuel tax by 8 to 10 cents to fund Highway improvements are needed. Branstad last month postponed the idea to cut $ 50 million a year will come from the transport operation.
However, the Democrats, said the tax increase should at least remain an option, find savings such as should be more difficult than expected.
But the majority of the House's Republican will focus on cutting first and foremost, the leader of the majority of Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner. Ask the Governor to seek Iowans savings before tax increases, he said. I can tell you the House Republicans will seek savings every day.
PROPERTY TAX
The Governor and lawmakers from both parties agreed that the commercial property tax reform will be a priority anymore, but there is significant division among their plans.
Branstad marked willingness to grant State aid to local government for $ 50 million to offset the revenue lost through tax reform something House Republicans have indicated is not part of their plan. Senate Democrats, meanwhile, supports tax credits that will offset the tax on commercial property and support small and medium enterprises for even greater.
REGULATORY REFORM
Republican leaders also placed a priority rule of the Reformation, but cited no specific rule that they want to be rewritten or removed.
Upmeyer said many State regulations or required the duplication of documents unnecessary, who saddled business.
House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, describes a number of other projects that may require legislative action and more funding next year, including the growth in the Medicaid program, an ongoing effort to reform the system of mental health of Iowa's and new educational programs were introduced on the package of reform governor s.
The Internet can replace some of the students in public schools spend in class under continue-to-develop highlighted Thursday by the state's top education official Iowa s.
Think of it as a class from the home, library, or virtually anywhere with an Internet connection.
Learning can take place anywhere, anytime, any place, however, Jason Glass, Director of the Iowa Department of Education, said during a legislative forum hosted by the Associated Press Thursday. Internet technology-based learning options is part of our proposed reforms that we'll be putting forth this next (parliamentary) session.
Isn t aims to use technology to close more Iowa schools but rather to give the district a choice, glass said.
