April 24, 2008
Livestock Odor On-Farm Research Measure Approved By House
One of the issues that came forward as a result of a cooperative effort of the DNR director, the Secretary of Agriculture and the ISU Dean of Agriculture was a proposal to conduct a five-year on-farm study to mitigate odor from livestock facilities. I feel this an important step to try to find solutions to the problems that divide livestock producers & their neighbors.
On Thursday, April 17, 2008, the House passed House File 2688, by a bipartisan 66-aye to 34-nay vote. During floor consideration of HF 2688 two amendments were adopted. One amendment qualifies that a livestock producer classified as a “habitual violator” or a chronic violator of livestock nuisance provision specified in Code 657.11 can only participate in the odor mitigation research effort if they contribute 100% of the cost of their participation.
The other amendment adopted during House floor consideration was a technical amendment that makes implementation of the entire bill dependant upon when Iowa State University first receives funding sufficient to carry out all of the provisions of this act’s operations and functions. The Senate Agriculture Committee passed HF 2688 on April 22nd, by a unanimous 14-aye vote and the measure is on the Senate Calendar and is eligible for debate. There is a request for $4.4 million this year. At this time, no funding for the program has materialized.
Commerce |
New Identity Theft Scam Threatens Americans Receiving Stimulus Checks
Now that Tax Day has passed, Americans are now waiting for the federal government to begin distributing the $600 economic stimulus checks. But the stimulus checks have also created another opportunity for scam artists to trick taxpayers into providing them with their Social Security numbers and bank account information.
One of the newest scams involves an e-mail claiming to come from the IRS about the "2008 Economic Stimulus Refund". The email tells recipients to click on a link to fill out a form, apparently for direct deposit of the payment into their bank account. This appears to be an identity theft scheme to obtain recipients' personal and financial information so the scammers can clean out their victims' financial accounts.
In reality, taxpayers do not have to fill out a separate form to get a stimulus payment or have it directly deposited; all they had to do was file a tax return and provide direct deposit information on the return. Anyone who receives one of these emails should forward it to phishing@irs.gov. This will allow the IRS and federal law enforcement to track down and prosecute the senders of the emails.
Another scam, which is preying on seniors, is a phone call supposedly from the IRS. The caller asks the taxpayer for their Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming that the IRS needs the information to complete the processing of the taxpayer's payment. The call also may say that the only way to get the stimulus payment is through direct deposit of the funds. Anyone who receives these calls should contact law enforcement or contact the IRS.
The Internal Revenue Service has made it clear that they will be using the information submitted on a person’s tax return this spring to send out the stimulus checks. They will not be seeking any other information via letter, fax, email, or phone call so that a taxpayer will get their payment. As always, Iowans should be wary when someone asks for this information.
Bill Restricts Certain Paid Advertisements and PSA’s Sponsored by State Agencies
This year the Department of Public Health’s expenditure of $600,000 toward paid advertisements urging support of the statewide smoking ban has gathered the attention and frustration of members of the public and state legislators. SF 2427 is the legislature’s attempt to limit those activities.
Under the bill, a new section is created which prohibits a state agency from using or permitting the use of its public funds for paid advertisements or public service announcements 30 days prior to or during session for the purpose of encouraging the passage, defeat, approval, or modification of a bill that is being considered or was considered during the previous legislative session. SF 2427 also says that a person who knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions in the bill is guilty of a serious misdemeanor and may be reprimanded, suspended, or dismissed from the person’s position or otherwise sanctioned.
Several House Republicans have offered an amendment to restrict state agencies from using public funds at ANY time for a paid advertisement or public service announcement that relates to the passage, defeat, approval, or modification of a bill that is being considered or could be considered by the legislature on a year-round basis. This amendment was not adopted. SF 2427 was passed by the full House this week.
All indications are that we will adjourn before the weekend.
I would appreciate your input. My home number is 641-634-2227.