Refund checks to Iowa taxpayers next year may not go out as promptly as they have in the past. Iowa Department of Revenue Director Courtney Kay-Decker says the slow down on the refund process is expected as her agency cracks down on fraud. “I hate to tell you, but I think we are going to slow that process down just a touch because we would like to make sure that we have the opportunity to do more front-end fraud checks,” Kay-Decker said at a recent Statehouse budget hearing. “It’s something we’re always working on and trying to keep on top of…whatever is the latest fraud.”

The director was reluctant to share information about how many tax filers they’ve caught asking for refunds they’re not entitled to.  “I do know we’ve stopped significant amounts of fraud. The criminals are always trying to be one step ahead of you and we don’t want them to know what we’re doing – other than that we’re doing it and we’re continuing to do more and more,” Kay-Decker said.

Governor Branstad praised the agency for its efficiency in issuing refunds in the past. Branstad said last year he got his state refund back well before his federal check arrived.

(Radio Iowa)

Thousands of community college students are learning this month that they’re receiving financial aid from a new state program that’s designed to address a skilled workforce shortage in Iowa. Heather Doe, with the Iowa College Student Aid Commission, says roughly 4,400 students will be the first recipients of an Iowa Skilled Workforce Tuition Grant. “It’s kind of a surprise to many of these students who are just finding out now that they’re receiving some assistance to help them this Fall and next Spring towards their tuition and fees,” Doe said.

The program is also referred to as the Kibbie Grant after former Iowa Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg. Kibbie sponsored the bill that created the grant during the 2012 session. Students may quality for a grant if they’re from Iowa, are enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in a qualified course of study, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year, and demonstrate a high level of financial need. The minimum Kibbie Grant award is one-half of the average Iowa community college tuition and mandatory fees per year. The maximum amount a student can receive is $2,040.

Doe notes a wide variety of programs at Iowa community colleges are covered by the program. “All sorts of fields in health care, computer science and technology, but also a lot of technical programs like machinists, plumbers, welders, carpenters and sustainable energy,” Doe said. Iowa Workforce Development estimates around half of all jobs in the state require an associate’s degree, certification or apprenticeship training — but only 33 percent of Iowa workers have such skills.

(Radio Iowa)

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (AP) – William “Walkin’ Willie” Perkins was given a final farewell by friends in Nebraska City as his funeral procession left downtown and headed to southwest Iowa for his burial. The Lincoln Journal Star says Perkins was 79 when he died Nov. 27 at a Lincoln hospital. He’d been struck hit by a car on Nov. 6 in Nebraska City. Friends say Perkins got the nickname because he used to walk 16 miles from Hamburg, Iowa, to Nebraska City to work or pick up his mail.

Perkins became a downtown fixture, visiting friends in stores and offices, when he moved to Nebraska City 10 years ago.  Gude Funeral Homes had encouraged people to turn out Friday to watch as the procession turned down Central Avenue. He was buried in Riverton, Iowa.