Archive for May 2019
Another look in the rearview mirror
We’re a month away from marking the longest period of expansion after an economic calamity, in this case the Great Recession that stretched from December 2007 to June 2009. We still look over our shoulders, …
Read MoreLocal government officials continue to have concerns about property tax bills
Local government officials are miffed at Iowa lawmakers over passage of a bill that adds steps to the budget-setting process and in some instances requires a supermajority of elected officials to approve proposed property tax …
Read MoreMcLellan: My kingdom for a cup of coffee!
Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last couple of weeks, you’ve probably heard about the infamous coffee cup that was accidentally left in a scene of the fourth episode of this season’s …
Read MoreThe Elbert Files: Punishing the vulnerable
Iowa’s reputation as an open-minded, nondiscriminatory state is under attack from Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican lawmakers who would like to turn back the clock on gay marriage, reproductive rights and other gender-related issues.
If …
Read MoreNOTEBOOK: WeWork wants us
Coworking gets a lot of attention these days. It’s a pretty nifty concept, providing temporary — you can call it fleeting — space that’s not necessarily defined by a walled box for startups, even Fortune …
Read MoreNOTEBOOK: Estate expert: Now is the time to consider using federal tax exemption
I recently sat down for a brief visit with Charles “Skip” Fox IV, a nationally recognized estate tax expert from Virginia, for an overview of some of the issues he follows for his high-net-worth clients …
Read MoreWomen Helping Women Luncheon raises record $210,000
The Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center’s 21st annual Women Helping Women Luncheon on May 17 raised a record $210,000, which will be used to provide mental health counseling and education to underserved women and girls. …
Read MoreEmpower Rural Iowa Act signed into law
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday signed House File 772, the Empower Rural Iowa Act. The legislation, which passed the Iowa Legislature unanimously, was a key priority in Reynolds’ Condition of the State address, and was based …
Read MoreTrombino named interim chief at Department of Administrative Services
Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed top aide Paul Trombino to temporarily lead the Department of Administrative Services until a replacement is named, the Des Moines Register reported. The Iowa Senate adjourned without reappointing Janet Phipps Burkhead …
Read MoreTariff fallout continues
Reuters reports that Chinese officials have said trade talks won’t resume anytime soon after President Donald Trump contended Chinese companies are bolting to Vietnam and elsewhere because of the tariffs.
Closer to home, Bloomberg reports the Trump administration’s …