Government Policy and Law

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Expiring tax breaks could slim paychecks

Employers are starting to warn their workers to prepare for slimmer paychecks if Congress fails to approve an extension of Bush-era tax cuts, Bloomberg reported.

“I’ve been doing payroll for probably close to 30 years …

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Des Moines council to consider TIF funds for Younkers rehab

The Des Moines City Council will be asked today to spend up to $4.5 million in tax increment financing funds to help cover the estimated $45 million renovation of the former Younkers department store building …

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We know the angry voter will turn out


The current political climate, like all political climates, is analyzed in broad terms. We’re told that it was spawned by anger about spending and taxes, determination to change course, philosophical differences about moral issues.

As …

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Loan participation agreement lands two banks in federal court


Peoples Trust & Savings Bank should call in a $4.4 million loan to a company controlled by developer Bob Knapp, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Des Moines.

American State Bank …

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A pocket (jig) of success


As patent cases go, Tim Zarley thought his client was on the right side of the law. He took a look at a lawsuit against Huxley’s Kreg Tool Co. and decided the defense just needed …

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More Central Iowa cities form stormwater utilities


As the state dries out from one of its soggiest summers on record, a growing number of Central Iowa communities are imposing fees on businesses and residents to foot the cost of building and maintaining …

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If you really want votes, there are better ways


I’m somewhat disappointed in the state of our political campaigns. Kind of a bold statement, but let me explain.

We live in a world of rapid technological innovation that has transformed everything but lawn-raking, and …

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European-style tax could cause job loss, group says

The United States would stand to lose 850,000 jobs by adding a European-style sales tax on top of the existing U.S. tax structure, according to an economic analysis commissioned by the National Retail Federation (NRF) …

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Altoona manager wins state award

The Iowa City/County Management Association (IaCMA) presented Jeff Mark with the 2010 IaCMA Manager of the Year Award during last month’s Iowa League of Cities conference.

Mark is the city administrator of Altoona, and won …

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New group fights back on same-sex ruling

A group attempting to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices is facing new opposition from an organization called Fair Courts for Us, whose members include former Gov. Robert Ray, former Lt. Gov. Arthur Neu and …