(Des Moines) A Senate subcommittee has advanced a bill to reduce state income taxes, potentially establishing a 3.8 percent flat tax rate by 2025. If enacted, this legislation would accelerate the current trajectory, anticipating a 3.9 percent flat tax rate by 2026. Republicans in the House and Senate rallied behind the proposal, emphasizing its sustainability and benefits to hard-working Iowans. Governor Kim Reynolds expressed support, highlighting the bill’s alignment with her tax reform agenda and the aim to empower citizens to retain more earnings.
In the aftermath of recent shootings, Iowa lawmakers have passed a bill allowing trained teachers and staff to carry guns on school premises. This move follows a tragic incident in Perry earlier this year. Conversely, Maine legislators responded to a mass shooting with a comprehensive package of new gun restrictions, including waiting periods for purchases and enhanced background checks. The Iowa legislation expands upon existing laws, granting protection from liability to teachers and staff who undergo firearm safety training. Meanwhile, Maine’s measures aim to prevent dangerous individuals from accessing firearms and bolster mental health services.
