Government : Week in Wrap Week 7

The seventh of the legislative session has come to an end. I am sending my apologies out to all my constituents and anyone I missed this week at the Capitol. I was absent Monday, May 19th through Wednesday, May 21st due to illness. I won't go into details, but it's basically what's going around, and it was not fun! I was able to get in on Thursday the 22nd and get caught up. I wish you all health and happiness, and I will be right back at it next week.

Recently, a survey released by Iowans for Tax Relief indicates strong support among Iowans for the constitutional amendment introduced in the current legislative session. According to the poll results, more than 67 percent of Iowans favor the implementation of a supermajority vote requirement by the Legislature for any increase in income tax rates in the state. Additionally, there is widespread support for putting the flat tax in the Iowa Constitution, guaranteeing a uniform tax rate for all taxpayers in the state.

Senate Republicans have been dedicated to tax reform for hard-working Iowa families since securing the majority in 2017. Over the years, they have successfully passed significant tax relief legislation. In 2018, the first tax relief package prioritized Iowa's families, farmers, and small businesses by reducing the top income tax rate. In 2021, a billion-dollar tax cut was passed, offering additional relief to small businesses, abolishing the inheritance tax, and providing both income and property tax relief to Iowans. Finally, in 2022, the historic implementation of a flat tax and the elimination of taxes on retirement income were achieved.

After years of significant tax relief initiatives, the state has progressed considerably. By mandating a supermajority for any future increase in income tax rates, the aim is to safeguard these hard-won reforms, protect the earnings of diligent Iowans, and ensure that any future tax hikes would necessitate bipartisan support.

Legislation approved by the Senate this week is Senate File 2116, which aims to enhance Iowa's traffic laws regarding "left-lane camping." It addresses the issue of drivers who persistently travel at speeds below the limit or slower than surrounding vehicles while remaining in the left lane, causing disruptions to the traffic flow. This bill mandates that drivers utilize the right-most lane (or a middle lane), except when passing another vehicle, navigating around road obstructions, or preparing for a left turn.

Another successfully passed bill is Senate File 2161, focused on elevating penalties for swatting incidents. Incidents involving false phone calls depicting threats such as shootings or bomb threats have become increasingly prevalent in recent news. This legislation seeks to heighten the consequences for making a false report and impose even harsher penalties if the false report leads to serious injury or death.

I encourage my constituents to contact me using my legislative email with any comments, questions, or concerns at Charlie.McClintock@legis.iowa.gov. I look forward to another great week of representing the people of District 42!