Monday, January 28, 2008
Governor Culver: Make Federal Refund Checks 100 Percent Tax-Free
Governor Culver Has Productive, Bipartisan Meeting on the Economy with Legislative Leadership
(Des Moines)- This afternoon, Governor Chet Culver met with Iowa legislative leadership in both parties to discuss the state economy and how it relates to the national economic downturn.
“I was pleased to have a productive, bipartisan meeting with leadership on both sides of the aisle to discuss the state of Iowa’s economy,” said Governor Culver. “I asked the legislature to quickly pass legislation to ensure any federal rebate check Iowans may receive is 100 percent tax-free. They agreed and I look forward to signing that bill in the near future. I called for increased civility in state government during my Condition of the State Address, and today’s meeting was proof that civility can bring results for Iowa families.”
Prior to his meeting with legislative leadership, Governor Culver held a press conference discussing the economy where he declared, “This is not a time to be fearful. We have to be optimistic. We have to be vigilant. We have to be strong. There is no reason Iowans should fear this economic situation.”
The Governor cited Iowa’s strong renewable energy industry, as well as commodity prices and land values as reasons that Iowa has “stayed ahead of the Midwestern trends in terms of having an economy that is moving forward.”
To date, the steps taken by Governor Culver to protect Iowa from the national downturn in the economy include:
- Earlier this month, the Governor presented the legislature with a budget that is balanced and protects the state’s cash reserves. Governor Culver insists that these cash reserves, which are at their highest levels in state history, are only to be used in the event of a “rainy day.”
- Last week, the Governor discussed with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, in addition to Senators Harkin and Grassley, the importance of passing a federal economic stimulus package that includes funding for states and works for Iowa. Such a package should include funding, similar to 2003, to protect states’ Medicaid roles and provide states with flexible block grants necessary to stimulate the economy. Governor Culver is pushing for a federal economic stimulus package that would provide, in addition to individual rebates, more than $100 million to Iowa.
- Last Friday, Governor Culver convened a meeting with his Council of Economic Advisors to discuss how best to protect Iowa from the national economic downturn.
In addition, as the legislative liaison for the Democratic Governors’ Association, Governor Culver will be traveling on Wednesday to Williamsburg, Virginia to address the Congressional Leadership and the Democratic Caucus on the importance of delivering an economic stimulus that works for Iowa.