THE IOWA LEGISLATURE CONTINUED MEETING THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
THEY VOTED TO CHARGE A NEW TAX ON VAPING PRODUCTS, NICOTINE PATCHES AND NICOTINE GUM — WITH THREE MILLION DOLLARS OF THAT NEW STATE TAX REVENUE DEDICATED TO PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH.
REPRESENTATIVE TRACY EHLERT, A DEMOCRAT FROM CEDAR RAPIDS WHO VOTED FOR THE BILL, SAYS SHE’S WORKED WITH THE FAMILIES OF CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER WHO’VE BEEN LOBBYING FOR STATE FUNDING OF RESEARCH INTO BETTER TREATMENTS.
HOWEVER SHE SAYS THE FIVE CENT TAX IS SO LOW, IT WON’T DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM BUYING THE NICOTINE LACED PRODUCTS.
VAPETAX10 OC……DECISION FOR ME. :14
REPUBLICAN BRENT SIEGRIST FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS, SAYS HE DOESN’T DISAGREE WITH THE ARGUMENT THAT THE TAX IS TOO LOW, BUT HE SAYS THE SENATE HAS INSISTED THE ONLY WAY TO FUND PEDIATRICT CANCER RESEARCH IS WITH A NEW TAX.
VAPETAX11 OC……….CARE ABOUT RESULTS.” :10
EARLIER THIS YEAR, GOVERNOR REYNOLDS PROPOSED A 65-CENT HIKE IN THE STATE TAX ON A PACK OF CIGARETTES, AS WELL AS NEW TAXES ON VAPES.
REPUBLICANS IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE ALSO MOVED TO LIMIT THE EMERGENCY POWERS OF FUTURE GOVERNORS DURING DISASTERS.
THE BILL ALSO SAYS IOWA GOVERNORS CANNOT ORDER VACCINATIONS DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.
SENATOR KEN ROZENBOOM, A REPUBLICAN FROM PELLA, SAYS IT’S A RESPONSE TO WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, WHEN GOVERNORS AROUND THE COUNTRY ORDERED THE CLOSURE OF BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
LIMITS3 OC……….WERE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.” :13
DEMOCRATS SAY THE BILL RESTRICTS AN IOWA GOVERNOR’S ABILITY TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES.
SENATOR MOLLY DONAHUE FROM MARION SAYS THE BILL IS A PREEMPTIVE STRIKE AGAINST ROB SAND, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.
LIMITS4 OC………HAVE THEIR SAY.” :10
THE HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED A PART OF THE BILL THAT WOULD HAVE SET UP A SYSTEM SO STATE SPENDING LEVELS WOULD CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT YEAR IF THE LEGISLATURE AND IOWA’S GOVERNOR CANNOT AGREE ON A BUDGET PLAN BY JULY 1ST.
HOUSE MEMBERS FROM BOTH PARTIES SAY THE LEGISLATURE’S PRIMARY CONSTUTIONAL FUNCTION IS TO MAKE TIMELY DECISIONS ON STATE SPENDING.
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