On Thursday, April 14, the House and Senate finally reached a deal on Senate File 209, which is the federal tax code coupling, bonus depreciation and FY 2011 supplemental appropriations bill.

The key part of the compromise was the Senate finally agreeing to the creation of a Taxpayers Trust Fund (TTF). The original Tax Relief Fund language contained in HF 45 captured the entire ending balance at the end of the fiscal year and deposited it into the TRF. The compromise language captures the first $60 million of the revenue above the original adjusted revenue estimate and deposits it into the TTF for tax relief measures. The Ways and Means Committee will propose the tax relief measures.

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• Iowa redistricting plan now law: RADIO IOWA
• Christie Vilsack to move to Ames: REGISTER
• Branstad: Vilsack would be a fish out of water: RADIO IOWA
• Secretary Vilsack, EPA Administrator tour Iowa farms: RADIO IOWA
• Branstads show 2010 income of $322, 476 on tax return: REGISTER
• Unemployment up in March despite new jobs: RADIO IOWA
• Caucus ’12: Huckabee favorite in Iowa GOP, poll says: REGISTER
• Grassley not sold on internet tax bill: RADIO IOWA
• EPA chief has no plans to regulate farm runoff: REGISTER
• GOP’s ‘tax relief fund’ is still a gimmick: OBRADOVICH
• Vilsack: Farm subsidies on table in budget talks: QC TIMES
• Cedar Rapids flood plan hopes to follow Fargo success: GAZETTE
• Worley will stay on as head of Iowa Veterans Home: QC TIMES
• Fort Madison prison placed on lockdown after inmate assault: GAZETTE
• Iowa senators clash as tensions build over budget: WCF COURIER
• Branstad sticks to campaign pledge on two-year budgets: SC JOURNAL

• Legislators could vote on district plan map next week: REGISTER
• Branstad ‘encouraged’ by Senate Democrats’ property tax relief plan: RADIO IOWA
• Preschool plan would cost more to manage, nonpartisan group finds: REGISTER
• Final public hearing on map: RADIO IOWA
• Bar set high for committing mentally ill: REGISTER
• Groups seek more REAP funding: RADIO IOWA
• Some see ethanol blocking newer fuels: REGISTER
• Jobs bill amendment would make donations public: REGISTER
• Gas pump inspections might get budget help: QC TIMES
• Internet gambling bill hits roadblock: QC TIMES
• Democrats outline tax cut plan: REGISTER
• Meeting to consider dove season: REGISTER
• Final FEMA ruling on Lake Delhi still months away: GAZETTE
• House kills funding for smoking cessation program: SC JOURNAL
• Branstad signs Iowa concussion measure into law: SC JOURNAL

• Iowa Power Fund powering down: QC TIMES
• Governor uses power to kill rule ‘that doesn’t make any sense’: RADIO IOWA
• Educators say legislators need to finish funding plan: RADIO IOWA
• Caucus ’12: Iowa vital component of Obama re-election strategy: REGISTER
• Senate confirms key Democrat to serve in Republican Branstad’s administration: RADIO IOWA
• Branstad names new police academy director: REGISTER
• Can libraries save by sharing services?: REGISTER
• Iowa City students not happy with under 21 bar fine: RADIO IOWA
• GOP wants big cuts to advocacy services: REGISTER
• Eastern Iowa GOP unhappy with redistricting map: QC TIMES
• Educators: GOP plan will raise taxes: REGISTER
• Senate approves tax credit for solar, wind energy: QC TIMES
• Culver forms consulting group: REGISTER
• Bill on water-quality programs gets split reaction: QC TIMES
• Head of Iowa’s prison system: $14M needed sooner rather than later: QC TIMES
• Iowa labor supporters gather, inspired by King: GAZETTE
• Branstad wants ‘legislative games’ to end: QC TIMES
• Iowa’s flu season could have been worse: GLOBEGAZETTE

• Redistricting maps come out today: GLOBEGAZETTE
• Sioux City Guard unit deployed to support Libya no-fly zone: RADIO IOWA
• Open records proposal exempts governor: REGISTER
• Move to ban state investment in Iran-connected companies: RADIO IOWA
• 10 years ago, riverboats brought Iowa jackpots and jobs – and problems, critics note: REGISTER
• Vilsack: biofuels make US more ‘self-reliant’; tax breaks phased out over time: RADIO IOWA
• Democrats: don’t cut advocacy offices: REGISTER
• Changes ahead for bill that cracks down on secret videotaping of animals: RADIO IOWA
• Braley says congressional approval required if Libya action continues: RADIO IOWA
• Shrinking herds send prices higher, astonish producers: REGISTER
• Senate panel Oks economic development plan: QC TIMES
• Senate rejects protections for mobile home tenats: QC TIMES
• House panel oks open records, meetings bill: QC TIMES
• ‘Tax Freedom Day’ arrives later in 2011: GAZETTE
• Marriage amendment falling short in Iowa Senate: QC TIMES
• Vander Plaats threatens to push against Gronstal’s re-election: GAZETTE
• Bill rise and fall as Legislature races to beat Friday’s funnel deadline: GAZETTE
• Mason City Education Association seeks 7.1% hike in salary and benefits: GLOBEGAZETTE
• Branstad contacts Caterpillar about relocating: SC JOURNAL

This week the Iowa House reached its first self-imposed deadline related to legislative action, commonly referred to as the “First Funnel.” For a policy bill to remain eligible for debate by the full House at some point later during the session, it must be approved by a House Committee before the end of the week or “First Funnel.” If a bill doesn’t survive the “First Funnel”, it is likely the issue is dead for the remainder of the year. This rule does not apply to budget bills or tax bills.

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• Iowa bills survive the cut: QC TIMES
• Iowa Poll: 53% oppose sales tax hike for conservation trust fund: REGISTER
• Iowa law barring military funeral protests intact, despite ‘unpopular’ court ruling: RADIO IOWA
• Bill forbids use of federal subsidy to buy insurance that covers abortion: RADIO IOWA
• Prepaid electric meter proposal stirs worry: REGISTER
  
• Committee approves bill to set up Iowa poker network on internet: RADIO IOWA
• Iowa Senate panel approves pubic information board: REGISTER
• Sanctuary city measure fails in Iowa City: RADIO IOWA
• ‘Standards-based’ grade plan works, other districts say: REGISTER
  
• Braley says his bill would end tax breaks for oil industry: RADIO IOWA
• Branstad makes appointments: QC TIMES
• Marion-based Iowa Conservative Union opposes Cedar Rapids’ proposal for sales-tax extension: GAZETTE
• Lawmakers push for bill to inhibit secret filming: QC TIMES
• Caucus ’12: Former Louisiana Gov. Roemer to visit Iowa next week: SC JOURNAL

A new March 2011 newsletter is available for viewing. Click the link below to see a PDF version:

Caucus Newsletter 2011-03-09

In this edition:

• Collective Bargaining Reform
• Iowa Ranks Low for Charter Schools
• House Moves Coupling/Supplemental Bill

• House approves proposed tax cuts:”It’s not a cost to state government,” Wagner said. “That’s the people’s money, not the state’s money.” QC TIMES
• Red light camera bill passes Transportation committee: RADIO IOWA
• Caucus ’12: Newt Gingrich to explore presidential bid, advisor says: REGISTER
• Bill would legalize online poker: RADIO IOWA
• Bill aims to curb misuse of parking spots for disabled: REGISTER
• State tax collections ahead of expectations: RADIO IOWA
• Iowa Business Council survey shows positive outlook: RADIO IOWA
• Vilsack urges subsidy cuts for wealthy US farmers: REGISTER
• Pain at the gas pump continues: RADIO IOWA
• Some food establishments to face fewer inspections: REGISTER
• Iowa Law Enforcement Academy director to retire: QC TIMES
• Bill would help parents block inappropriate emails, texts: REGISTER
• ‘Stand your ground’ bill advances: QC TIMES
• Leaders extend confidence in improved Iowa economy: REGISTER
• Obama names Branstad to security post: QC TIMES
• Court should be open, but not political event: REGISTER
• Iowa officials say they’re required to eradicate free-roaming elk: GAZETTE
• Waterloo schools using exam data to guide, improve teaching: WCF COURIER
• Law enforcement split on bill to ban shackling inmates during labor: GAZETTE
• Final tally shows smaller 2010 corn crop: GAZETTE
• Standard camera laws in Iowa sensible move: SC JOURNAL