Iowa House Passes Republican-Sponsored Property Tax Reform Bill, Now Heading To Senate
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa House passed a version of the property tax reform bill on Wednesday. The proposal passed on a vote of 64-23. The legislation would restrict local governments from collecting more than two-percent in property tax revenue annually. The bill will now be negotiated by the Senate and face final approval by Governor Kim Reynolds.
Iowa City Officials Hold First News Conference Since Ped Mall Shooting
(Iowa City, IA ) — Police are looking for a 17-year-old from Cedar Rapids accused in a Sunday shooting in downtown Iowa City. Following a large fight in the Pedestrian Mall, five people were shot. One of the victims is still hospitalized. Prosecutors say Damarian [[ duh-MARE-ee-uhn ]] Marshawn Jones will be charged with five counts of attempted murder, five counts of willful injury, and one count of going armed with intent. Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston says Jones got the firearm from another person and shot into a crowd of people. None of the victims were specifically targeted. The university says there will be additional security downtown.
Bill To Raise State Speed Limit Headed To Governor’s Desk
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowans may soon be able to travel faster on some state roadways. A bill is heading to the governor’s desk that would raise the state’s speed limit on highways from 55 miles-per-hour to 60. If signed, the change would take effect July 1. It would not increase Iowa’s interstate speed limit of 70 miles-per-hour.
150 Unclaimed Iowans Will Be Laid To Rest In Des Moines
(Des Moines, IA) — The cremated remains of 150 unclaimed Iowans will be laid to rest at a Des Moines cemetery on Saturday. Lanae [[ luh-NAY ]] Strovers, President of The Final Salute says the organization gets urns from funeral homes, storage units, abandoned houses, and even from the side of the road. This weekend’s ceremony will take place at Avon Cemetery, where the 150 individuals will be placed in a vault. The last service was held seven years ago, but organizers expect to hold another next year as the number of unclaimed remains continue to rise nationwide.
Vice President JD Vance Makes Turning Point USA Tour Stop At ISU
(Ames, IA ) — Vice President J-D Vance is heading to Iowa next week, including a stop at Iowa State University. Vance and CEO of Turning Point U-S-A Erika Kirk will speak at Iowa State University on April 30th. It’s part of the conservative political group’s national tour. Free tickets are available on the group’s website.
Iowans Spend The Lowest Percent Of Their Income On Housing In The US (Undated) — Iowans spend the lowest percentage of their income on housing of any state in the U.S. A new report from WalletHub says the average amount spent on housing in the state is one-thousand-79 dollars, or about 17-percent of the median monthly household income. Iowans also have the third-lowest monthly home energy costs and sixth-lowest monthly mortgage principal and interest payments. West Virginia and Kansas follow Iowa with the lowest amount of income spent on housing. The study shows people in Hawaii and California spend the most.
