State Sen. Eric Giddens (D-Cedar Falls)

Greetings! It’s been great to be back at home and engaged in community activities since the legislative session ended early last month.

Over the last several weeks, I visited the Traer Historical Museum and Hansen’s Dairy in Hudson with Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham and Silos and Smokestacks staff and toured Don Bosco school.

I attended the 2023 Black Hawk County Gold Star Teacher Awards ceremony, the Black Hawk Grundy Mental Health Awareness breakfast, the Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley’s RSVP program luncheon, the Black Hawk County Peace Officers Memorial service, the Waterloo Youth City Council Celebration event, the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance Launch event, the Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa Employee Recognition breakfast, the Waterloo 4th Street Bridge lighting ceremony, the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center renovation groundbreaking ceremony, the UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center’s Irvine Prairie expansion celebration outside of Dysart, and the Hudson Firefighters’ Annual Breakfast.

I was also honored to speak at the Memorial Day service at the Cedar Falls AmVets Post 49, and at a Governor’s STEM Advisory Council luncheon at UNI.

I enjoy being engaged and connected with our communities, so please reach out and invite me to events that you’re involved with, or for a tour of your business or organization, or simply for a visit over coffee to discuss whatever’s on your mind.

Since the session ended, I’ve also knocked on hundreds of doors in our district just to say hi and listen if people have anything they’d like to share with me. I’ve had so many great conversations, and I look forward to having many more throughout the summer and fall.

And, in the midst of all of that, my son Henry graduated from Cedar Falls High School! It has been wonderful to celebrate him the last few weeks with family and friends, and we’re excited that he’ll be attending UNI in the fall. Congratulations Henry, and Go Panthers!

As always, please reach out if I can be helpful with anything. It is an honor to serve you in the Iowa Senate.

New Property Tax Breaks for 65+ and Veteran Homeowners

Attention homeowners: The Legislature came together this year to approve a statewide property tax relief package.

The package includes a new property tax exemption for homeowners aged 65 and older. Eligible homeowners will receive an exemption of $3,250 for assessment year 2023, increasing to $6,500 for 2024 and after. The package also increased the military service property tax exemption available to veteran homeowners from $1,852 to $4,000.

These exemptions will lower the taxable value of homes and reduce property taxes for those homeowners beginning in September 2024, and both are in addition to the existing homestead tax credit available to homeowners.

If you are an eligible homeowner, you will not need to re-file the property tax exemption application if you already have filed for the exemption with your local assessor.

That said, your local assessor’s office can help you determine if you qualify for either of these exemptions. Homeowners 65 and up may wish to submit an updated form that includes information that will more easily allow their assessor to determine eligibility for the new exemption. That new form is available online from the Department of Revenue: https://tax.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-05/HomesteadTaxCreditAndExemption(54028).pdf

The military service exemption will be adjusted for all claims on file.

The deadline for submitting new claims for these exemptions is July 1st.

Contact your local assessor for more information: Tama County (641) 484-3545; Benton County (319) 472-5211.

Iowa’s budget

The budget approved by Gov. Reynolds and the majority party in the legislature for the coming fiscal year totals $8.5 billion, with a surplus estimated by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency at $2 billion. This budget includes over $100 million for private school vouchers, a total cut of approximately $30 million to Area Education Agencies, and a $500,000 (more than 20%!) increase for the governor’s office. The budget takes effect July 1.

Scholarships available

Iowans can apply for the Last-Dollar Scholarship to pursue higher education in a high-demand career. Students who earned an Iowa high school diploma, enroll at least part-time in an eligible program of study, apply for all other available state and federal grants and scholarships, and meet ongoing requirements, are eligible for the Last-Dollar Scholarship. Recipients can choose from various high-demand programs in growing career fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and more. All applications must be submitted by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by August 1. Information is available at IowaCollegeAid.gov/LastDollar.

Nutrition assistance at farmers markets

Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) aid is now available for Iowa WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) recipients and low-income seniors to purchase baked goods, eggs, jam, plants, flowers, and more at farmers markets from June 1 to October 31. The checks are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at local WIC agencies and Area Agency on Aging offices. For more information contact John Krzton-Presson at john.krzton-presson@IowaAgriculture.gov.

Check out your local library this summer to combat learning loss

School is out and keeping kids’ minds engaged during the months-long break from school can be tough. The 2023 Iowa Library’s summer program theme this year is “Find Your Voice,” and challenges participants to complete reading and activity sessions during the summer.

State Senator Eric Giddens represents Iowa Senate District 38 including Cedar Falls, Hudson, Traer, Dysart, Evansdale, Elk Run Heights, Gilbertville, Washburn, LaPorte City and Mount Auburn. Contact Sen. Giddens at 319-230-0578 or eric.giddens@legis.iowa.gov.