1

VOTING CHANGES     (HF 614)

Makes changes necessary to comply with the federal “Help America Vote Act,” but would also make it more difficult for Iowans to vote by closing polls earlier, limiting absentee ballot use, and requiring a photo ID every time you vote.  

• IFL position was “NO.”    
• House Vote: Passed 53 yes – 44 no  
• Passed by Senate; vetoed by Governor 

2

REGULATORY CHANGES     (SF 344) 

Eliminates many anti-worker provisions passed in the Senate version, but still cuts Workers’ Compensation benefits for twice-injured workers and makes it nearly impossible for consumers to win punitive damages in lawsuits over faulty products or dangerous behavior.  

• IFL position was “NO.”    
• House Vote: Passed 53 yes – 46 no  
• Amended and incorporated into HF 692; item vetoed by Governor 

3

SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE     (SF 445)  

Establishes a school infrastructure financing program by providing for the sharing of revenues from local option sales taxes for school infrastructure purposes and allowing those revenues to be used for either school infrastructure or to replace property tax.

• IFL position was “NO.”    
• House Vote: Passed 67 yes – 32 no  
• Passed Senate and signed by Governor 

4

UNEMPLOYMENT SURCHARGE     (H-1273 to SF 433)  

Extends the Unemployment Surcharge paid by employers to fund rural Workforce Development offices and provides for long-term funding by setting up a reserve fund; expands eligibility for unemployment benefits.            

• IFL position was “YES.”    
• House Vote: Failed 54 no – 44 yes  
• Portions incorporated into HF692; signed by Governor 

5

SALES TAX ON FOUNDRY EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS     (HF 654) 

Exempts sand handling equipment, core and mold making equipment, and materials used in the mold making process from sales and use taxes, providing refunds retroactive to July 1, 1997.   

• IFL position was “NO.”    
• House Vote: Passed 67 yes – 31 no  
• Amended by Senate; signed by Governor 

6

GOVERNMENT REINVENTION     (SF 453)  

Cuts $128 million from the state budget, including $70 million in cuts to local governments, $20 million in cuts to AEAs, and $10 million in cuts to child welfare; allows designation of charter agencies that will be exempt from certain rules and regulations in exchange for reducing their budgets by 10%.   

• IFL position was “NO.”    
• House Vote: Passed 51 yes – 47 no  
• Passed Senate; signed by Governor 

7

STATE INCOME TAX     (HF 701)   

Cuts state income tax by a budget breaking $684 million with most of the benefit going to the wealthy; makes tax cuts contingent on passing a  Constitutional Amendment requiring a 60% supermajority to raise taxes.  

• IFL position was “NO.”    
• House Vote: Passed 51 yes – 47 no  
• Amended by Senate and incorporated into HF 692; item vetoed by Governor 

8

PROPERTY & INCOME TAX / REGULATION / VALUES FUND OMNIBUS     (HF 692)  

Contains provisions for a $503 million pay-as-you-go economic development fund, income tax cuts that shift more of the burden onto low- and middle-income taxpayers, and changes in business regulations that hurt workers and consumers. 

• IFL position was “NO.”    
• House Vote: Passed 51 yes – 43 no  
• Item vetoed by Governor