DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Low income Iowa residents would get a bigger break on their taxes under a bill that is moving through the state Senate.  Democratic Sen. Joe Bolkcom says Tuesday that the measure would apply to households with incomes of less than $45,000. He says about 210,000 households would get a roughly $250 tax break.  The proposal would raise the state credit from 7 percent to 20 percent of a taxpayer’s federal earned income tax credit.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved the bill Tuesday and will now go to the full Senate for a vote. But while Democrats who control the Senate support the effort, it may have little chance of becoming law. Gov. Terry Branstad has vetoed similar legislation in past years.

The Iowa Senator who’s known far and wide for his Tweets via smartphone now says he’s introducing legislation that would free cell phone users from a long-time albatross. Senator Chuck Grassley says consumers need more freedom from restrictive cell phone contracts and this bill would provide it. “If you change your cell phone before your contract runs out, you’re guilty of violating federal law,” Grassley says. “It simply repeals that provision that has the penalty in it so that you can change your cell phone, where you want to get your service, at will.”

The legislation would “empower” people to use their cell phone carrier of choice after they’ve complied with the original contract. The bill aims to address whether cell phone buyers, who often receive new devices at a reduced cost in exchange for committing to a long-term contract, should be able to switch devices to new carriers once the primary contract is up. Grassley says portability of devices would allow for more price competition and consumer choice.

(Radio Iowa)

Some educators may be so concerned about helping under-achieving students to succeed that they may neglect gifted students. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is co-sponsoring a bill which he says insures the needs of students in advanced placement, or A-P, classes are included in federal education policy. Grassley says, “As it stands, there’s a shortage of attention given to high-ability students, especially those students in under-served settings, and that could include most of rural America.” The legislation would make sure A-P students are included in the planning process at the district and state levels. If they’re not continually challenged, some advanced students may get bored with school, quit applying themselves or even drop out. Grassley says the bill would modify federal education policy to develop and encourage more achievement from high-ability students.

“America cannot afford to ignore the needs of its brightest students,” Grassley says, “and by doing so, squander the potential that they bring to our country, as well as their own potential.” The bill stipulates existing teacher quality grants would be used to help improve the achievements of all students, including those in gifted and talented programs. Grassley says gifted students “don’t get the attention they deserve,” adding, the advancement of those students “will help to enhance the future prosperity of our nation.”

(Radio Iowa)

A snowplow driver for the Shelby County Road Department was cited for Failure to Maintain Control, Monday, after the 2003 International dump truck he was driving went out of control and entered the east ditch off of Shelby County Road F-58, about nine-miles east of Corley. The Sheriff’s Department says 45-year old Tracy Klein, of Harlan, was plowing snow with the county truck when the accident happened Monday morning. No injuries were reported. The truck sustained an estimated $80,000 damage.

(9-a.m.News)