The National Taxpayers Union and a D-C based think-tank are touting a new survey which finds a majority of Iowans are opposed to paying sales taxes on internet purchases. Andrew Moyland of the R Street Institute was at the Iowa capitol Wednesday, to discuss the survey with legislative staff and representatives from Iowa business groups. Moyland suggests candidates for all offices should be wary of allowing states to collect internet sales taxes, including prospective presidential candidates like Ted Cruz, Mike Lee and Marco Rubio who’ve been campaigning in Iowa. There may soon be a vote in the U.S. Senate on a bill that would give states greater authority to collect sales taxes on internet sales.

“This is definitely coming to a head now and I think that folks who are supporters of this would like to get this done as soon as possible because even supporters don’t want to be on record supporting an internet sales tax bill so close to an election,” Moyland says. Moyland praised Chuck Grassley, Iowa’s Republican senator, for opposing what’s called The Marketplace Fairness Act that would give states broader authority to collect sales taxes on internet purchases. Others who support the legislation say Main Street businesses see more and more people who come in, look over the merchandise, then go online to make the purchase — escaping the sales taxes they’d pay if they bought the product in the store. Moyland rejects that argument.

“There are 46 different states with sales taxes and 9,998 different taxing jurisdictions across the country,” Moyland says, “and so if you’re asking online retailers to have to jump through all those hoops when brick-and-mortar retailers are just jumping through one where they’re physically located, I think that’s the opposite of a level playing field.” According to a University of Tennessee estimate, 88 million dollars in sales taxes that were legally due to the State of Iowa were NOT collected on internet purchases made in 2012. Moyland argues that “pales in comparison” to the sales taxes the State of Iowa fails to collect because the state sales tax is not charged on all services.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A woman who was involved romantically with an Iowa man charged with killing his pregnant wife says she thought he would ultimately leave his wife. Rachel McFarland testified yesterday that she was in love with Seth Techel. He is charged with first-degree murder and non-consensual termination of a human pregnancy in the 2012 shooting death of Lisa Techel.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A Fort Madison man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a Burlington man. Forty-two-year-old Lenard Polhans is accused of shooting 35-year-old Marvin Sutton to death on June 1st. Authorities say the men were arguing in Sutton’s backyard prior to the shooting.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo officials may soon consider a proposal that would allow authorities to seize vehicles used in certain crimes and hold them until the owners pay a fine. The City Council may discuss the issue at its August 4th meeting. The ordinance would allow authorities to tow and impound cars used in crimes involving drugs and weapons, among others.

MILLVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Officials have approved the dis-incorporation of a small city in northeast Iowa. The state’s City Development Board recently approved the dis-incorporation of Millville, a Mississippi River community with about 20 residents. The Telegraph Herald reports the board will handle outstanding claims against the city.

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert is encouraging public safety officials in the area to attend a meeting July 24th in Harlan, with regard to emergency communications. The meeting pertains to the “FirstNet” network, and takes place at 7-p.m. on July 24th at the Harlan Fire Hall (906 Cyclone Ave.). The meeting should last about 90-minutes.

The “FirstNet” network will be a single, nationwide LTE network that makes it easier for public safety users to communicate during emergencies and on the job every day. The new network will provide faster access to information and wireless coverage where public safety personnel need it most.

The Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICSB) in cooperation with local communities invites anyone involved in public safety to attend a Public Safety/First Responder town
hall meeting near you about the future of broadband for first responders in Iowa. This is part of a series of meetings to educate Iowa public safety members on FirstNet.

The meeting is designed to answer questions such as: Will I be forced to adopt FirstNet services?; Who is this network for?; How does it relate to NG911 (Next Generation 911)?; When will it be built in Iowa? Will this replace LMR?; How much will it cost and what equipment will I need?

The Iowa Statewide Interoperability Board is sponsoring the presentation for public safety officials. For more information about the meeting and to register, go to: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e9khws928ddc7a62&oseq=&c=&ch=

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Braley has $2.7 million in the bank for his general election campaign. Braley’s campaign said Wednesday that the congressman from Waterloo raised nearly $1.7 million between April 1 and June 30. Braley had over $2.7 million in cash on hand at the end of that period. Since announcing his candidacy last year, he has raised over $7 million.

Financial reports were due to the federal government Tuesday. Braley faces Republican state Sen. Joni Ernst in the fight for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Harkin. Ernst recently won a five-way primary battle for the GOP nomination. Her campaign had not released any fundraising data as of Wednesday afternoon.

The race is expected to play a key role in the battle for Senate control.