A reminder to all Iowans to take advantage of the Iowa EEARP rebate program to update their appliances to be more energy efficient.
Iowans should take advantage of this opportunity to conserve energy and upgrade their appliances. This is just one way we can help Iowans become more energy efficient.
As part of the Federal economic stimulus, the Iowa EEARP, will offer approximately 9,000 Iowa homeowners a rebate for replacing their old appliance with a qualifying energy efficient model purchased from an Iowa retailer.
The rebate program is open to Iowa residents only and rebate dollars are available on a first come first served basis. Rebates will only be eligible from the approved appliance list and purchases must be made on or after March 1, 2010.
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The Iowa House of Representatives approved a ban on text messaging while driving.
Since texting while driving dramatically increases the risk of an accident this initiative will improve safety on our roadways. This is just one simple step we can take to prevent accidents and save lives.
House File 2456 prohibits text messaging, instant messaging, and e-mailing while driving a motor vehicle. Violators will be charged with a simple misdemeanor and a $30 fine. If texting is the cause of an accident that results in serious injury or death, penalties increase up to a $1000 fine and 180 day license suspension.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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The House gave final approval to another piece of the government reorganization initiative that will save the state an additional $126 million next year. As the national recession has caused a steep decline in state revenues, the reorganization effort was launched last year to help balance the state budget while preserving Iowans’ priorities in education, jobs, and health care.
The goal of Senate File 2088 is to create more accountability for taxpayer dollars and eliminate wasteful spending. This will be done by consolidating agencies and delivering services to Iowans in more efficient methods. The massive reorganization plan finalized by the House today is estimated to save taxpayers an additional $126 million next year, bringing the total savings from reorganization efforts passed this year to about $265 million.
The bill is one of the largest initiatives in state history at 350 pages and contains over 50 different ideas, both large and small. It eliminates 14 different boards and commissions, reduces energy costs, combines state purchasing, cuts down on middle management to keep front line workers in their jobs, and consolidates information technology.
The bill now goes to the Governor.
Category Uncategorized |
A reminder to all Iowans to take advantage of the Iowa EEARP rebate program to update their appliances to be more energy efficient.
Iowans should take advantage of this opportunity to conserve energy and upgrade their appliances. This is just one way we can help Iowans become more energy efficient.
As part of the Federal economic stimulus, the Iowa EEARP, will offer approximately 9,000 Iowa homeowners a rebate for replacing their old appliance with a qualifying energy efficient model purchased from an Iowa retailer.
The rebate program is open to Iowa residents only and rebate dollars are available on a first come first served basis. Rebates will only be eligible from the approved appliance list and purchases must be made on or after March 1, 2010.
Category Uncategorized |
The Iowa House of Representatives approved a ban on text messaging while driving.
Since texting while driving dramatically increases the risk of an accident this initiative will improve safety on our roadways. This is just one simple step we can take to prevent accidents and save lives.
House File 2456 prohibits text messaging, instant messaging, and e-mailing while driving a motor vehicle. Violators will be charged with a simple misdemeanor and a $30 fine. If texting is the cause of an accident that results in serious injury or death, penalties increase up to a $1000 fine and 180 day license suspension.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
Category Uncategorized |
The House gave final approval to another piece of the government reorganization initiative that will save the state an additional $126 million next year. As the national recession has caused a steep decline in state revenues, the reorganization effort was launched last year to help balance the state budget while preserving Iowans’ priorities in education, jobs, and health care.
The goal of Senate File 2088 is to create more accountability for taxpayer dollars and eliminate wasteful spending. This will be done by consolidating agencies and delivering services to Iowans in more efficient methods. The massive reorganization plan finalized by the House today is estimated to save taxpayers an additional $126 million next year, bringing the total savings from reorganization efforts passed this year to about $265 million.
The bill is one of the largest initiatives in state history at 350 pages and contains over 50 different ideas, both large and small. It eliminates 14 different boards and commissions, reduces energy costs, combines state purchasing, cuts down on middle management to keep front line workers in their jobs, and consolidates information technology.
The bill now goes to the Governor.
Category Uncategorized |
A reminder for all working families that they can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit on their 2009 taxes; many families are also eligible to participate in a free tax filing program.
Workers with one child and earnings less than $35,463 in 2009 are eligible for a tax credit up to $3,043. Workers raising more than one child with income less than $40,295 can get up to a $5,028 credit. Working individuals who are not raising children in their home between the ages of 25 and 64 and had income less than $13,440 are eligible for a $457 tax credit.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is now the largest federal cash benefit to low-income workers, surpassing welfare benefits in total dollars nationwide. Three years ago, Iowa expanded eligibility for the EITC on state taxes and made the credit refundable to more Iowa families.
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.
A public-private partnership, the Free File Alliance, is also offering middle class families who meet certain income guidelines a fast, free and safe way to do their taxes online.
The program is made possible through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance. To learn more visit, www.freefile.irs.gov.
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According to a new report released today, Iowa is still the nation’s second highest wind energy producer, adding enough wind projects over the last year to power another 879,000 homes. Energy efficiency grants are also available to local governments.
The Iowa Office of Energy Independence has $8,634,400 in energy efficiency grants available for cities and counties across the state to reduce energy use, have a positive impact on budgets and enhance economic development through job creation.
These grants are based on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
For more information or an application, go to www.energy.iowa.gov.
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