Working Families

Major economic development legislation passes Senate

February 22, 2012

Senate President Jack Kibbie’s prepared opening remarks on Senate File 2024, the Community College Worker Training Bill, which the Senate approved on February 22 by a vote of 26-22.

What does mortgage settlement mean for Iowans?

A $25 billion federal-state accord has been reached over mortgage foreclosure abuses, fraud and unacceptable mortgage practices. The proposed agreement provides an estimated $40 million in direct relief to Iowa homeowners and addresses future mortgage loan servicing practices. Highlights of the agreement include: ** Iowa borrowers will receive an estimated $5,899,449 in benefits from loan [...]

Help Iowa’s children by cutting taxes on working families

February 21, 2012

Details on how increasing Iowa’s Earned Income Tax Credit benefits Iowa’s children and working families.

Cutting taxes for working families, small businesses across Iowa

February 20, 2012

In the Senate, we’ve unanimously approved a bill to give more than 260,000 Iowa households a boost in their state tax return, including the families of 37 percent of Iowa’s children. Boosting the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) supports working families, places value on raising children and puts money into local economies. That’s why we [...]

(Video) Contrast between today’s House and Senate tax cuts

February 14, 2012

A boost in Iowa’s Earned Income Tax Credit– the nation’s most effective anti-poverty program– was approved by a unanimous 48-0 vote on February 14 in the Iowa Senate.

Cutting taxes for working families

February 11, 2012

If new legislation becomes law, more than 260,000 Iowa households could see an increase in their state tax return, including the families of 37 percent of Iowa’s children. The Senate Ways & Means Committee has approved Senate Study Bill 3116 to increase Iowa’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 7 percent of the federal EITC [...]

(VIDEO) Working mom helps tax cut pass Senate Ways and Means

February 8, 2012

Last Thursday, Senate Democrats invited Julie Heck of Pleasantville — a single mother of three — to speak at a statehouse news conference to tout the tax break that’s geared toward low-income Iowans.

Food assistance gets Iowans through tough times

February 3, 2012

As our state continues to rebound from the national recession, struggling Iowans are benefiting from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP, the former Food Stamp program, is one of the most successful ways to combat hunger and help low-income households purchase healthy food. Here in Iowa, the program provided assistance to [...]

Senate Budget Priorities Focus on Job Creation

February 2, 2012

The leaders of the Iowa Senate have released an outline for a state budget focused on helping Iowa workers fill existing job openings and helping Iowa businesses create new jobs.

(VIDEO) Pass working family tax cuts FIRST

January 31, 2012

“This year I’m confident that no tax cut will pass the Senate Ways and Means Committee before the working families tax cut is passed for the third time by the Senate, is passed for the third time by the House, and finally signed into law by Governor Branstad.”