DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Veterans in Iowa would receive a larger property tax exemption under a bill approved by a legislative panel. A three-member subcommittee unanimously approved the measure Wednesday. The legislation now goes to the full House Ways and Means Committee. Under current law, a property tax credit of $1,852 is available only for certain veterans. The bill would increase the amount to $3,704 for all eligible veterans beginning July 1.

The state appropriates a set amount to local governments to offset these costs. Local governments wouldn’t pay the additional credits in full unless state funding was sufficient. Republican Rep. John Landon, who chairs the subcommittee, says discussion on the bill will continue. Jimmy Centers, a spokesman for Gov. Terry Branstad, says he’s open to any proposals designed to reduce taxes.

Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall has announced her intention to run for re-election. Marshall is currently finishing her third term as County Treasurer. In a press release, Marshall said she “Has always believed in being involved,” and has immersed herself in the workings of the county office.

Tracey J. Marshall

In her bio, Marshall says she received the “e-gov Pioneer Award” in 2003, for implementing online services. She has also completed the Certified Treasurer Program and received the Chancellor’s Certificate in Public Administration: Government Finance Professional. Marshall is on several committees in the Iowa State Treasurer’s Association and is a member of ISAC, NACTFO, and NACo.  She says her office staff is taking ongoing training to ensure the best possible service to Cass County residents.

The first day for Democratic and Republican candidates for county offices to file nomination papers in the office of the Cass County Auditor is Monday, March 3, 2014. Last day to file is Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the IOWA Secretary of State: www.sos.state.ia.us.

The county positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2014 PRIMARY ELECTION are: District 2 County Supervisor; District 3 County Supervisor; County Attorney; County Recorder; County Treasurer.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – Two Catholic parishes in the Le Mars area will merge in response to fewer available priests and declining rural population. The Le Mars Daily Sentinel reports  St. Joseph and St. James Catholic churches will merge in large part because of declining numbers of priests. The Rev. Kevin Richter says the dwindling number of priests is an issue around the country as priests retire and others leave the priesthood only years after being ordinated.

Richter says some smaller communities continue to lose population, while larger cities such as Le Mars remain more stable. He notes that in the Sioux City diocese, 22 of 24 counties have decreasing populations. At least one of three rural churches in Merrill, Struble and Ellendale eventually will close.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Lawmakers in the Iowa Senate have approved legislation that will establish a task force to study breast tissue density. The bill passed unanimously Wednesday and will move to the state House for review. It replaced legislation which would have required breast density data be included in mammogram reports to patients and physicians. Instead, under this plan, the state will set up a task force to review how best to educate patients and doctors on this issue.

Experts say dense breast tissue can make it harder for a mammogram to catch a possible tumor and may increase the risk of breast cancer. But some doctors say this kind of notification could needlessly worry women and the state should leave such matters to physicians.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A review by an independent consultant says the $1.3 billion in reserves held by Iowa’s dominant health insurer is “reasonable and prudent” for now.  Iowa Insurance Commissioner Nick Gerhart hired Risk and Regulatory Consulting, LLC, to review whether Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield had the right amount of customers’ money in reserves.

Its report released Wednesday says Wellmark is holding an appropriate amount given the risks the company faces. The report says a smaller future surplus might be needed if the insurance market stabilizes following full implementation of federal health reform.

Some Democratic lawmakers, including gubernatorial candidate Jack Hatch, demanded an investigation into Wellmark’s reserves, contending much of that money should be returned to policyholders. Wellmark provides coverage for more than 2 million people in Iowa and South Dakota.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City woman says she’ll think of her husband this weekend as she drives to Omaha in a car stuffed with hundreds of stuffed bears and other animals. Kerry Ruehl and her children will take more than 500 bears to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where her husband Mike “Bear” Ruehl was treated for cancer at times over a dozen years. He died Feb. 6 in Omaha at age 60. For his funeral, the family asked that people bring a stuffed animal.

Kerry Ruehl tells the Sioux City Journal that during her husband’s treatment, they watched sick children in strollers or pulling their IVs. They didn’t think it was fair.  She thought this was a way her husband, who loved working with children, could continue spreading cheer.