Giving Iowans a state tax credit for their student loan debt if they earned a degree from a non-profit university, college or community college in Iowa has been discussed at the statehouse, but the scope of the tax break might make it too pricey for legislators to even consider. Representative Greg Forristall (FOR-ih-stall), a Republican from Macedonia, isn’t ready to sign off on the concept yet. “When we get that fiscal note and we decide who qualifies for this, we may need to trim this back a little bit in terms of the portion that qualifies for the tax credit,” Forristall says.

And legislators are under pressure to expand the pool of people who could take the credit, if it is created. For-profit universities argue their students should get the tax break, too. Mike Heller is a lobbyist for Kaplan University.  “We have a concern with the definition of eligible institution,” Heller said. “We think it should be expanded to include students who graduate from for-profit institutions. The debt loan concerns are the same for the student.”

Paula Dierenfeld, a lobbyist for the University of Phoenix, says the bill as currently written would deny the credit to Iowans who earn a degree on-line from the University of Phoenix — or the University of Wisconsin. “It’s kind of a new era of learning in Iowa with these on-line courses…and we believe that those students because they’re residents in Iowa, taxpayers in Iowa, receiving their degrees here in Iowa and working in Iowa should be as eligible for these tax credits as other students,” Dierenfeld says.

Trade schools are clamoring to get their students signed up for the potential tax credit, too. Kent Hartwig is a lobbyist for the Iowa Cosmetology School Association. “We have numerous cosmetology schools in the state and we would like our students to benefit from this as well,” Hartwig said.

An official from the Iowa Department of Revenue also points out there would be “double-dipping” if Iowans could get a tax credit that’s worth to up to half of the student loan payments they make in a year. That’s because there’s already a tax break on the interest paid on student loans. Income taxpayers can claim up to 25-hundred dollars in student loan interest on both their state and federal tax returns today.

(Radio Iowa)

Residents of northwest Iowa are being warned about bogus text messages that claim to be from Wells Fargo Bank, directing people to go to a phony website and enter their account information. Angie Kaipust, spokeswoman for the bank in Sioux City, says it’s a “phishing” scam.
Kaipust says, “What these fraudsters do is they send a message to a wide audience, including customers and non-customers, and they’re hoping someone’s going to click on the link and give their personal financial information.”

She says there’s a course of action you should follow. “If you get a suspicious message, whether it’s a text message, a voice message or email and they’re asking for your personal financial information, delete it and don’t respond to it,” Kaipust says. After you delete the message, she says it’s a good idea to contact your bank and ensure your account hasn’t been compromised.

“Cardholders are protected by our zero liability protection,” she says. “That means you’re not liable for any unauthorized transactions that are made when you promptly report it to us.” The bank already has that information on its customers, she reminds, so they wouldn’t be asking for it.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Shenandoah report the search for a missing Essex teen is over. Officials say 16-year old Brydget Bird was found Tuesday, with the assistance of Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies. No other details were provided.

Bird had last been seen by her mother Friday night. Shenandoah Police Chief Kris Grebert says the girl was reported missing the next day.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County Wednesday morning, released a report on recent arrests. Authorities say 33-year old Lyda Rachel Wilson, of Glenwood, was arrested at around 9:10-p.m. Tuesday after she left the Adams County Sheriff’s Office driving on a suspended license. Wilson was charged with Driving While Revoked. Her bond was set at just over $1,573.

And, at around 6:30-p.m. Tuesday, deputies in Adams County arrested 27-year old old Crystal Estell, of Corning, for Driving While Barred and Failure to file for SR-22 insurance. Her bond was set at slightly more than $2,573.