DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican lawmakers and Governor Terry Branstad have very different ideas on how to use state budget surplus dollars. Senate Republican leader Bill Dix has proposed a tax credit of $750 per family. Asked yesterday about the legislative Republicans’ proposal, Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht noted that property tax cuts were the governor’s priority. Albrecht says Branstad would review any tax proposal lawmakers approve.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating the suspicious death of a man whose body was found in a car at a Cedar Falls condo complex parking lot. Cedar Falls Police Chief Jeff Olson says a passer-by spotted the body about 7:30 a.m. yesterday. Chemicals were found in the car, but their type and amount haven’t been released.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Two men convicted in a pair of jewelry store robberies in West Burlington have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Ramon Cook of Flint, Michigan and Stanley Clark of Coralville, Iowa were convicted in connection with break-ins in August at two jewelry stores in Westland Mall. Both are 40 years old.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Rapids man has been given more than five years in federal prison for selling prescription methadone that contributed to two drug overdose deaths. Tim Bowen the Second pleaded guilty in October to one count of distribution of methadone, a powerful pain reliever. Prosecutors say Bowen was sentenced on Wednesday to 63 months imprisonment.