The Iowa House has voted to create new tax credits for Iowans who are saving money to cover a downpayment and closing costs on their first home. Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley: “It’s as simple as this, folks: it’s never a bad idea to leave more of the taxpayers’ money in their own pocket where they can invest it better than what we can down here in Des Moines,” Windschitl says.

Any interest earned on an “Iowa First-Time Homebuyers Savings Account” would not be taxed if the bill becomes law, plus individuals could claim a tax credit of up to three-thousand dollars per year for money socked away in the account. The tax credit would double to six-thousand dollars for a couple saving for their first home.

Representative Mary Mascher, a Democrat from Iowa City, voted against the bill. Mascher pointed to the estimate that Iowans will pay four-million dollars less in taxes if this tax credit is offered. She says that would put a squeeze on available state resources for other priorities. “We need to be cautious about the dollars we are commiting in the state budget to tax deductions or credits,” Mascher says.

Representative Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport, doubts this tax credit would help low-income Iowans afford a new home. “This might not be the best use of our $4 million,” Winckler said. “It might be nice to do this, but is it important or necessary?” The bill passed overwhelming on a 90-to-seven vote.

Representative Tom Sands, a Republican from Wapello, was among the bill’s supporters. “I don’t see this bill as a long-term drain on Iowa’s economy,” Sands says. “I see it as a stimulation on helping Iowans to to actually thrive within their communities and invigorate their communities.”

Sands argues first-time homeowners typically have to fix up their new property, creating ripple effects with the purchase of goods like paint and hardware for the home and the hiring of local painters, plumbers and carpenters to do the work. This proposal now goes to the Senate for consideration.

(Radio Iowa)

Deputies in Cass County, Tuesday, arrested a man from Shelby County for carrying an illegal knife. Officials say 20-year old Bill Louis Stockwell, of Elk Horn, was taken into custody on charges that include Carrying a Knife (with a blade Longer than 5”) (a Serious Misdemeanor) and Public Intoxication (a Simple Misdemeanor).

Stockwell was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was later released on his own recognizance.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is warning its member businesses not to accept checks from a person identified as “Tyler Johnston.” The checks are written on an account from Rolling Hills Bank out of Anita. If your business has checks from “Tyler Johnston,” you’re asked to turn them over to the Atlantic Police Department.

(12-p.m. News)

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Tuesday, denied five prisoners’ applications for commutation of their sentences. Among them was 40-year old Edgar M. Cardona, who committed his crime on November 11th, 2003, in Pottawattamie County. Cardona is currently serving a twenty-five year sentence for first-degree robbery.

The Governor also denied 81-year old Earl Thompson‘s request for commutation. Thompson committed his crime on January 21st, 1961, in Dallas County. He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

Commutation denotes the modification or reduction of a punishment. Under Iowa law, first-degree murder is punishable by life in prison without parole. Branstad has commuted only three life sentences during his 20 years in office.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Months after videos of people dumping buckets of icy water over their heads flooded the Internet, the Iowa chapter of the ALS Association has announced how it plans to use funds raised during the campaign. Josh Nuss, the chapter’s executive director, said Wednesday that the $350,000 raised statewide last year through the ice bucket challenge will be invested over the next three years to help Iowans ailing from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Nuss says donations will directly support ALS clinics in Iowa, add staffers for local care services, contribute to the chapter’s general grant program for medical expenses and purchase loan equipment available for Iowans to use free of charge.

From July 29 to Aug. 27, the national ALS Association raised $94 million. For more information, visit the Iowa chapter’s website at www.alsaiowa.org.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), approved the appointment of former Atlantic Track Coach Bruce Henderson, to fill a vacancy term on the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority (SIRHA). Henderson’s term will run through 2017. The Board also approved a bid from A.M. Cohron for replacement of a bridge over Baughman Creek, near the Griswold Golf and Country Club.

Cohron’s bid was the lowest of two for the project, at $655, 835, which Engineer Charles Marker said was also close to the engineer’s estimated cost. The contract, as written, states the project will begin no later than July 6th. Amy Hook and her husband James have owned and run the Griswold Golf and Country Club for nine seasons. The business is located one-mile east of Griswold on Highway 92, and one-mile north on 560th Street. Amy Hook requested the start of the project be delayed until September, so as to not affect their business during the busiest part of the golf season.

The Board discussed placing gravel on a Level B road that can be used to access the golf course, but Marker said it would cost $5-to 10,000-dollars to accomplish. Even if they chose to do that, he said there currently is no road rock available, only larger gravel is available, and that cannot be used for that application.

Hook agreed the road as it is, is not conducive to traffic coming to their business. The Board discussed with Engineer Charles Marker the feasibility of delaying the bridge replacement project until September, but Marker said it’s too early to say right now, if that is possible, because of the process it takes to get the contract signed. Amending the contract to provide for a later start date, makes the process more involved and requires additional discussion with the contractor, not to mention additional cost to the County.

The Board is expected to review the contract after it’s signed by Cohron, during their next meeting. In other business, the Supervisors received a quarterly report from Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes, and they approved an amendment to a Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement with the DHS/Bureau of Collections, with regard to wording about confidentiality.