Iowa House District 12 Representative, Brian Best, says the Senate and House are not too far apart on agreeing on the actual 2019 budget. However, they are further apart on the tax plan and how they are going to implement it while still being able to fund that proposed budget.
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He agrees that the Senate budget plan would work, especially if the changes they are making result in increases in five different areas. One of these is an interstate commerce bill, tied to a Supreme Court case heard within the last two weeks that addresses the internet tax issue.
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Best says they want to get local taxes involved in that too. He has been hearing that there are some folks not happy about this proposal and there has been a bit of push back in the legislature. However, he adds, this bill provides a level playing field for community retailers.
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And, he says, it is vital to maintaining our local economies.
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Not only do the businesses suffer, but no money from those sales is being allocated to local schools, local infrastructure, our counties or towns, Best says. The Senate bill also proposes taxation on downloads from companies like Netflix and iTunes.