Thursday, May 9, 2019
N/Warren Town and County News
Page Five
Legislative Newsletter
Stan Gustafson
Iowa House Representative District 25
stan.gustafson@legis.iowa.gov
The Legislature is winding down and hopes to wrap up debate after we finish
the last Budget Bill. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your
input
on issues that are important to you. Here is a good example of how citizens
of
Iowa, both in the public and the private sectors, have worked with the
Legislature
on very important legislation.
HF733 was introduced in the House this session to address concerns by
taxpayers regarding the increase in property taxes and to make local
budgeting
processes more transparent. SF634 was introduced in the Senate for the same
reason. It is not unusual for similar bills to be introduced in both
chambers.
After receiving input from taxpayers and local elected officials,
leadership in
the House and Senate worked on an amendment to SF634 to address concerns
raised about the Bills. SF634 was amended, passed by the Senate and the
House
took it up on Wednesday evening. It was substituted for HF733, debated and
passed. Here is a link to SF634: Here is a link to the House Journal which
explains.
the process the Bill took in the House, including its substitution for
HF733.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/pubs/hjweb/pdf/April%2024,
%202019.pdf#page=27. The discussion re: HF733/SF634 begins on page 1005.
The intent of SF634 as amended, is to increase transparency of local budget
processes. '
Local Budget Transparency Process: Cities and counties currently have
various
levies—some are capped, some are not. This bill does nothing to cap or
uncap
any levies. The process starts with a local government receiving the new
assessments. Based on these new values—all levies are adjusted up or down
to
represent a rate that would bring in the same amount of tax revenue as the
prior year. This is'the “effective rate.” The local government can
then decide if
this is the correct amount of tax to levy or if more or less is necessary.
Next the
local government needs to publish notice and have a hearing on what the
levies
will be. If the proposed levies bring in tax revenue that is increase of
two percent
or less—a resolution by a majority of board or council members must pass.
If the
proposed levies bring in tax revenue that is an increase of more than two
percent—a resolution by 2/3 majority of board or council members must
pass.
After the resolution on the new levies has passed—the local government
needs
to publish notice of the budget they intend to pass. The same voting
requirements
apply. All of the information from the notices needs to be published on all
local
government websites and sadal media presences. Because of the new
process——
the date to certify budgets is moved from March 15 to March 31. There is
still a
process in current law to object to a budget. SF634: requires more
publication of
budget changes; does not change IPERS, or any retirement or benefits levy;
does not change any levy caps or combine any levies.
IPERS: Concerns were raised about the impact of these Bills on IPERS.
Requiring a local government to notify taxpayers when their property taxes
increase has nothing to do with IPERS. Requiring local governments to vote
to
increase their budgets has nothing to do with IPERS. Here is a Statement
issued
by IPERS “We have received many questions regarding recently passed
property ,
tax bill, Senate File 634. This bill does not alter the employers’
obligation to pay
the employer portion of IPERS’ contributions as established annually
under Iowa
Code Section 97B.11. This bill does not affect a member’s or retiree’s
pension.”
https://www.ipers.org/node/ 104 1
Here is the link to SF634: httpszl/www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/
BillBook?ga=88&ba=SF634 I realize this is a lengthy explanation but
wanted >
you to understand thatyou‘r input, the input of other taxpayers, and of
local ;
governments, is very important in helping the Legislature draft bills.
Public 5
entities should not make decisions in a vacuum, and it is important that
you
remain involved, not only ,with the State Government, but with your local \
governments so that the Board and Council members, your neighbors and
fellow.
taxpayers, will wisely spend your tax dollars to [make the best decisions
possible i
for your Community.
Have a nice summer.
DEA Warns of Alarming Increase of Scam Calls
The Drug Enforcement Administration urges its DEA-registered practitioners
and members of the public to be cautious of telephone calls from criminals
posing
as DEA or other law enforcement personnel threatening arrest and
prosecution
for supposed violations of federal drug laws or involvement in
drug-trafficking
activities.
DEA continues to receive reports from practitioners and the general public,
alike, indicating that they have received calls threatening legal action if
an
exorbitant fine is not paid immediately over the phone. Theacallers
typically
identify themselves as DEA personnel and instruct their victims to pray the
“fine”.
via wire transfer to avoid arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment.
The reported scam tactics are continually changing, but often share many of
the following characteristics: a
' Callers use fake names and badge numbers or, alternatively, names of
well-
known DEA senior officials.
' The tone of calls is urgent and aggressive; callers refuse to speak
or leave a
message with anyone other than the person for whom they are calling. a
Callers threaten arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment, and in the case-of
medical practitioners, revocation of their DEA numbers.
' Callers demand thousands of dollars via wire transfer or, in some
instances,
in the form of untraceable gift cards taken over the phone.
' Callers falsify the number on caller ID to appear as a legitimate DEA
phone
number. ,
- Callers will often ask for personal information, such as social security
number
or date of birth.
- When calling a medical practitioner, callers often reference National
Provider
Identifier numbers and/or state license numbers. They also might claim that
patients are making accusations against the practitioner.
It’s important to underscore that DEA personnel will never contact
practitioners or members of the public by telephone to demand money or any
other form of payment. DEA will not request any personal or sensitive
information
over the phone. Notification of a legitimate investigation or legal action
is made
via official letter or in person.
Impersonating a federal agent is a violation of federal law.
Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be a DEA
special
agent or other law enforcement official seeking money should refuse the
demand
and report the threat using the online form
(https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/
esor/spring/main?execution=elsl) or by calling 1-877-792-2873. Reporting
scam
calls will greatly assist DEA in investigating and stopping this criminal
activity.
Any urgent concerns or questions, including inquiring. about legitimate
investigations, should be directed to the local DEA field division. For
contact
information for DEA field divisions, visit
https://www.dea.gov/domestic-divisions.
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constructors
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Apply in person at the 'IObSite trailer -
Must be able to pass preemployment physical ‘ Post Offer Pre-Employment
Drug Testing &‘ E-Verify Required .
Gleeson Constructors & Engineers, LLC. is an Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (EEO/AA Employer).
